NEVER LET CATARACT BLUR YOUR HAPPINESS
What Happens In Cataracts
The Retina is the most sensitive part of the human eye that helps in converting light to useful information. It is fully packed with light-sensitive cells that act as a relay for communication which the brain processes as light and vision.
Retinal Detachment, Diabetic Retinopathy, Vein occlusions [CRVO and BRVO] and Age Related Macular Degeneration[ARMD] are some of the common diseases that affect vision. Treatment for retinal diseases both medical and surgical if initiated early on, can prevent permanent visual loss.
Causes Of Cataract
Age is one of the major contributors to the progress of Cataract in your eyes. Due to advancing age, the transparency of the clear lens starts to decrease gradually, slowly progressing to form a Cloudy Cataract.
Along with age, there are some other causes that act as an accelerator to the clouding of eyes. Check out these other causes influencing your clouded vision,
● Smoking
● Alcohol Consumption
● Diabetes
● Usage of certain medications such as steroids
Types of Cataracts
Nuclear Cataract
Nuclear Cataracts are Cataracts that primarily affect the inner core of the clear lens. These cataracts are commonly seen in advancing age. They cause a deterioration in the quality of vision such as bright colours appearing less vibrant or needing more light to see objects. These Cataracts also alter the refractive index of the clear lens which can sometimes improve the near vision in a patient.
This is called Second sight syndrome. However, this is a falsely re-assuring sign since patients prolong getting tested or treated since they can see very well even in advanced stages of the Cataract. These cataracts tend to be hard and must be dealt with at the earliest to ensure quick and optimal visual recovery.
Cortical Cataract
Cortical Cataracts start off as spokes growing in from the corners of the clear lens. These spokes scatter the oncoming lights and can cause significant glare and difficulty in viewing bright objects. These Cataracts grow relatively faster and can fill the complete lens with a milky white opacity leading to a condition called "Mature Cataract".
These Cataracts can also liquify and leak into the surrounding structures causing pain, increased pressure and chances of permanent visual loss. They need to be dealt with at the earliest since end stage Cataract Eye Surgeries are associated with significantly higher complications.
Congenital Cataract
Congenital Cataracts are present from the time of birth and are usually caused due to many factors such as, infections in the mother during pregnancy, genetic factors, etc. Congenital Cataracts can cause significant and permanent loss of vision if left untreated, especially if it completely obscures vision. Since babies cannot communicate regarding the loss of vision, these Cataracts are often ignored and neglected and have severe implications.
Your child may have a Cataract if you notice the following Symptoms:
● Preference for using only one eye or crying when you close one eye
● A squint [deviation in the position of the eyes from its central point]
● A whitish opacity seen in the pupils
● Your child is unable to follow light or has difficulty in identifying nearby objects.
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract affects the back part of our natural lens. Since this area of the lens is extremely sensitive to changes, even early Cataracts can cause significant Visual Symptoms. Most patients with Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts complain of glare and intolerance to bright lights and have difficulty driving at night.
A variety of Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts involve even the bag in which our natural lens lies in. These are known as Polar Cataracts. Since the vision disturbance is quite significant, patients would require early Cataract Surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Cataract is a cloudiness of the Eye’s natural lens, which lies between the front and back areas of the eye, directly behind the pupil.
Most Cataracts develop slowly over time and affect people over age 50. About half of the Indian population has a Cataract by age 65, and nearly everyone over age 75 has at least a mild Cataract in one or both eyes.
In rare cases, infants can have Congenital Cataracts. These usually are related to the mother having Rubella, Chickenpox, or another infectious disease or nutritional deficiency during pregnacy; but sometimes they are inherited
Although people with very early cataract can be managed easily with glasses, earliest possible cataract extraction is becoming more popular due to the increased safety and accuracy of the procedure. Also, since most Cataract Surgeries are machine based procedures, the softer the cataract is, the lesser energy is use to liquify the lens matter, and faster the healing time.
No, your cataract surgery will not be painful. Your eye will be numbed with anesthesia (eye drops or an injection), so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. You might feel some mild pressure, but it shouldn’t be uncomfortable.
After surgery, it’s common to experience mild irritation, dryness, or a scratchy feeling, but this usually goes away in a few days. Severe pain is rare.