Cataract Removal: Don’t Wait Till It’s Too Late
What is a cataract?
Cataract is a condition where the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy and the amount of light entering the eye is thus reduced. This, in turn, leads to blurred vision.
It is a slow, progressive blurring of the vision – both distant and near. Things appear less bright so your vision tends to be worse at night. You may also experience glares and haloes. A continued change in spectacle power may signify the progression of the cataract.
What are the causes of cataracts?
Most cataracts develop due to ageing or injury, changing the tissues that make up your eye’s lens. Other causes of cataracts include inherited genetic disorders, other eye conditions, past eye surgery, medical conditions such as diabetes, and long-term use of steroid medications.
How cataracts form
Cataracts form in the lens, which is positioned behind the iris. Ageing and medical conditions make the lenses of the eyes become less flexible, less transparent and thicker. They also cause tissues within the lens to break down and clump together, clouding small areas within the lens. As cataracts continue to develop, the clouding becomes denser and involves a bigger part of the lens, resulting in visions becoming blurred.
Types of cataracts
- Nuclear cataracts. This cataract เล่นบาคาร่า UFABET เว็บตรง ค่าคอมสูง affects the centre of the lens and may at first cause more near-sightedness or even a temporary improvement in your reading vision. However, with time, the lens gradually turns more densely yellow and further clouds your vision. As the cataract progresses, the lens may turn brown, making it difficult to distinguish shades of colour.
- Cortical cataracts. This cataract begins as whitish, wedge-shaped opacities or streaks on the outer edge of the lens cortex. As it further develops, the streaks extend to the centre and interfere with the passing of light through the centre of the lens.
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts. This cataract starts as a small, opaque area usually near the back of the lens, right in the path of light. It often interferes with reading vision, reduces vision in bright light, and causes glare at hight. This type of cataract is often more progressive than other types.
- Congenital cataracts. This cataract occurs at birth or develops during childhood. It may be caused by genetic, infection or trauma in the womb or other medical conditions. The cataracts are usually removed soon after detection and therefore do not always affect vision.
Risk factors
- Age
- Diabetes
- Excessive exposure to sunlight
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Eye injury or inflammation in the past
- Eye surgery in the past
- Long-term use of steroid medications
- Excessive alcohol intake