Cataracts

Eyes are our window for the outside world; therefore, any defect in them, which might be simple or severe, would affect the vision, such as the cataracts. This condition affects the vision and could lead to extremely serious complications, like vision loss.

Eyes composition

They eye is consisted of several parts and layers:

• Cornea: It’s an external layer that protects the interior part of the eye. It also has a role in the vision process.
• Sclera: The white part of the eye.
• Conjunctiva: A clear layer that covers the outside of the eye.
• Aqueous humor: It’s the liquid that fills up what’s called the anterior space of the eye. Moreover, the pressure of this liquid has a role in the shape of the eye.
• Iris: It contains the pigment that colors the eye in addition to the muscles that control the pupil.
• Pupil: The black circle in the middle of the eye and it plays a role in the vision process.
• Lens: It has a main role in the vision process.
• Vitreous humor: It’s a clear gel-like liquid that fills up the space between the lens and the retina and it has a role in the shape of the eye.
• Retina: It’s consisted of light-sensitive cells and locates in the back of the eye. Moreover, it has a role in the vision process.
• Optic nerve: It’s the path between the retina and the brain for transferring the information of the vision in order for us to be able to see.
• External muscles: They control the movement of the eye in addition to its shape.

What are cataracts

• Cataracts are the opacity of the lens in the eyes, and they’re the most common condition that causes reversible vision loss in the world.
• Most of the people who are above 70 years old are susceptible to develop cataracts, whereas age-related cataract occurs in 50% of people between 65-74 years old and around 70% of people who are older than 70 years old.

Types of cataracts

• Age-related cataract: It’s the most common type.
• Pediatric cataract: It could affect newborns (congenital cataract) or young children.
• Traumatic cataract: It occurs as a result of a trauma or an injury in the eye.
• Secondary cataract: It could occur as a complication of a previous cataract, but it’s a simple and easily-treated condition.

Causes and risk factors of cataracts

• Aging.
• Environmental factors: such as air pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, chemical substances, pesticides, long exposure to the UV light from the sun, and the former exposure to radial therapy in the upper part of the body.
• Pathological and medical factors: such as diabetes, undergoing glaucoma surgery, corticosteroids using, hypocalcemia, myotonic dystrophy, atopic dermatitis, Down syndrome, congenital rubella, and specific eye illnesses like uveitis, retina pigmentosa, high myopia (nearsightedness), and intraocular tumors.
• Genetic factors: the existence of a family history of this disorder.

Symptoms and signs of cataracts

• Blurry, foggy, or cloudy vision.
• Reduced vision acuity.
• The colors become faded and the ability of distinguishing them decreases.
• Light sensitivity.
• Seeing haloes and streaks around the lights.
• Difficulty seeing at night and the need to a brighter light to see.
• Double vision (seeing two of one thing).
• Changing the prescription of medical glasses or lenses.
• In children, cataracts cause a condition called a failure of visual maturation. In other words, their ability to see remains week.
• In some cases, cataracts could lead to a surprising improvement in near vision without using the previously prescribed glasses.

Cataracts diagnosis

The specialist will ask about the family history of the patient in addition to conduct a complete examination of the eye. Other tests include the examination of the lens, optic nerve, and the retina, in addition to examining the vision acuity.

Treatment of cataracts

• Surgical procedure is the only solution of cataract even though there are a lot of efforts to manage this condition. Moreover, the surgery is recommended when the cataract starts to affect the quality of vision. During the surgery, the specialist will remove the damaged lens and replace it with another synthetic one that remains permanently. When there isn’t an ability to do the surgery, patients could undergo a vision correction as much as possible and they must do yearly examinations to monitor the condition.
• After the surgery, patients don’t need to be hospitalized, and they might experience some pain and discomfort in the eye that could last for a few days, while full recovery usually needs a few weeks. Nevertheless, vision improvement could be noticed gradually.
• Cataract surgery is considered one of the most successful and safest surgeries in the world in terms of reducing morbidity and improving the quality of life. However, in some cases, there is a possibility of developing some complications, such as:

Prevention of cataracts

Since cataracts are mostly associated with aging, we can’t prevent them completely. However, we can protect our eyes from external impacting factors and slow the progress of the disorder. Therefore, the following is recommended:

• Regular eye exams.
• Protecting the eyes from the UV and earing sun glasses when exposed to the sun for a long time.
• Quit smoking and drinking.
• Managing other health problems that you might suffer from.
• Following a healthy lifestyle.