Cataract and your eyes

Cataracts - clouding of the eye lens, which can weaken eyesight. More than half of all adults aged 65 and older have a cataract.

What causes cataracts?


The eye functions like a camera. Light rays pass through the front wall of the eye, passing through the cornea, then - the iris, and a transparent liquid front eyes - on the lens. The lens then refracts light rays to focus objects on the retina at the back of the eye. From there, the retina, optic nerve, and brain process visual signals and images.

Cataracts occur when there is accumulation of protein in the lens, which makes it muddy. This prevents the light passed through the normally clear lens, causing some loss of vision. Nobody knows what causes accumulation of the protein responsible for clouding of the lens.

Cataract - the lens, which became turbid.

Types of cataracts:

Age cataracts. As the name itself suggests that this type of cataract develops as a result of aging.
Congenital cataracts. Babies are sometimes born with cataracts as a result of intrauterine infection, which may then develop in childhood.
Secondary cataract. They may develop as a result of concomitant diseases such as diabetes, or long-term contact with toxic substances, certain medications (such as corticosteroids or diuretics), ultraviolet light or radiation.
Traumatic cataract. They may form after trauma eyes.
Other factors that may increase the risk of occurrence and development of cataract are: cigarette smoke, air pollution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?


Cataracts often develops slowly and causes few symptoms:

Vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy or filmy.
Sudden nearsightedness.
Changes in the perception of color - especially yellow.
Problems when driving, especially at night, because of the distracting oncoming headlights.
Problems with the bright light.
Doubling of view.
Sudden temporary improvement in near vision.
How to diagnose a cataract?


Several tests can be performed by your ophthalmologist. There will be a complete eye examination to check how well you can see (do not forget to bring to the examination your glasses or wear your contact lenses. Your doctor will also enhance your pupil in order to investigate the condition of the lens and other parts of the eye.

How to treat cataracts?


Ocular examination will help the doctor determine whether a cataract has affected your vision. If the vision is acceptable, glasses, including bifocals and contact lenses may be prescribed by a physician, eliminating the need for surgery.

If you are suffering from vision loss, which violates the usual course of your daily life, you may be a candidate for cataract surgery, which involves removing the darkened lens and replace it by transparent plastic.

Cataract operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and usually successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most commonly performed surgery in the U.S., more than 1.5 million transactions per year. In most cases, in 9 out of 10 patients undergoing surgery, there is a significant improvement of vision.

Talk with your doctor to find out what treatment is best for you.


Can I prevent cataracts?


Since the exact cause of cataracts is not found, and there is no proven method to prevent it.Despite the fact that cataracts are so common among the elderly, it is important to examine your eyes regularly. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in people aged 40 to 64 years should be, a comprehensive eye examination every two - four years for people aged 65 and older must be, a comprehensive eye examination every two years.

People with a long history of eye disease or other medical problems that increase the risk of eye diseases such as diabetes - should receive an eye examination more frequently (once a year, or as recommended by your doctor).

Cataract and guidance to health


Applying the principles of health, you make wise decisions to improve your health.

Introduction


Taking a decision is taken into account that:

Not all cataracts need to be removed. Your decision on whether to agree to an operation or not, will likely depend largely on how cataract affects the quality of your daily life. Many people with cataracts live, using glasses or contact lenses, and may postpone the day of surgery or avoid it altogether.
Vision problems caused by cataracts develop slowly, over time, so you probably should not rush into surgery.
Cataract operation involves removing the lens from your eye. In this case, the lens must be replaced. If a replacement is not possible, then you have to use glasses or contact lenses, so as to compensate for the absence of the lens.
If you removed a cataract, you still will need to wear glasses or contact lenses for a better view.
Medical Information