Home :: Family Health :: Cataract

Cataract - Cataract symptom, treatment, causes

Cataract can be described as the clouding of the lens of the eye. The cloudiness is due to changes in the proteins that make up the lens. Cataracts most commonly develop in people over 65 as a result of progressive degeneration as the lens ages. Uncommon causes of cataracts in younge rpeople include lens damage from radiation (X-ray, infra-red, ultraviolet or microwave), pen-etrating injuries to the eye, diseases such as DIA-Betes MElliTUS and UVEITIS, medications such as CORTICOSTEROID DRUGS, and certain poisons. Rarely, cataracts may be present from birth, especially if the foetus is affected during the early weeksof pregnancy by maternal infections such as rubella(German measles)

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. When cataracts are mentioned, people often think of a film that grows on their eyes causing them to see double or blurred images. However, a cataract does not form on the eye, but rather within the eye. Cataracts commonly affect distance vision and cause problems with glare. They generally don't cause surface irritation or pain. Cataracts develop from a variety of reasons, including long-term ultraviolet exposure, secondary effects of diseases such as diabetes, or simply due to advanced age; they are usually a result of denaturation of lens proteins. The lens becomes more opaque and is therefore less able to transmit light rays onto the retina. The image on the back of the eye is then blurred. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb your eyesight early on. But as the clouding progresses, the cataract eventually interferes with your vision. The rate of cataract progression can be unpredictable. Some cataracts worsen significantly within a few weeks; others remain unchanged for many years. Cataracts are common in older people. About a third of people over 65 have cataracts in one or both eyes. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated.

Some people with cataract don't even know it. Their cataract may be small, or the changes in their vision may not bother them much. Smoking and alcohol abuse increase the risk for cataracts. Individuals who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day have twice the risk of nonsmokers for developing cataracts. A cataract is not contagious. Using the eyes will not make the cataract worse. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did. Cataract derives from the Latin cataracta meaning "waterfall" and the Greek kataraktes and katarrhaktes, from katarassein meaning "to dash down". Cataracts are also unusually common in persons exposed to infrared radiation, such as glassblowers who suffer from "exfoliation syndrome". Exposure to microwave radiation can cause cataracts. In many cases, the cause of cataracts is unknown. Factors that may contribute to cataract development include  diabetes, long-term use of corticosteroids, and other inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Adult cataracts are generally associated with aging. Most people with cataracts have similar changes in both eyes, although one eye may be worse than the other. Many people with this condition have only slight visual changes, and are not aware of their cataracts.

Causes of Cataract

The common causes and risk factor's of Cataract include the following:

• Long-term ultraviolet exposure.
• Secondary effects of diseases such as diabetes.
• Genetic factors.
• Exposure to microwave radiation can cause cataracts.
• Smoking.
• Family history of cataracts.
• Heavy drinking.
• Previous eye injury or inflammation.

Symptoms of Cataract

Progressive painless blurring of vision develops very slowly, often in association with reduce colour vision are common symptoms of Cataract. Cataracts do not cause total blindness - even a very cloudy lens will transmit some light to the retina. On rare occasions, if the cataract is associated with lens swelling. GLAUCOMA may develop. Some sign and symptoms related to Cataract are as follows:

• Cloudy or blurry vision.
• Double vision in a single eye.
• Increasing difficulty with vision at night.
• Sensitivity to light and glare.
• Frequent changes in prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Difficulty in telling the difference between colours, especially shades of blue.
• Halos around lights.

Treatment of Cataract

Initially vision can often be improved with powerful glasses, but when these no longer provide adequate sight, surgery may be per-formed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. If an artificial lens is not implanted when the cataract is removed, special glasses or contact lenses must be worn to enable the eye to focus. Cataract removal is a simple operation and results are usually excellent. Age is no barrier, and people over 100 have had useful sight restored. Here is list of the methods to treat Cataract:

• The only effective treatment for a cataract is surgery to remove the clouded lens, which usually includes replacing the lens with a clear lens implant.
• Sometimes cataracts are removed without reinserting implant lenses. In such cases, vision can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• A small number of adults and children with cataracts may benefit for a short time from eyedrops that widen (dilate) the pupil. These eyedrops increase the amount of light getting into the eye.
• Some self-care approaches, such as using a magnifying glass to read or improving the lighting in your home, may help you deal with the effects of having a cataract.