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Cloudy Eyes: The Cataract Problem
People don't generally worry about cataracts until they develop
them. But in truth, cataracts are serious business. Ignoring
care against such could result in the loss of vision. In the
United States, cataract operations are among the most common
surgeries performed with over 1.5 million performed every year.
A cataract is any opacity which develops in the crystalline lens
of the eye or in its envelope. This impairs sight by blocking
the light that goes through them. They may be hard to spot since
they are painless and are unaccompanied by inflammation.
Cataracts form for a variety of reasons like long term
ultraviolet exposure, secondary effects of diseases such as
diabetes, or simply due to advanced age. Cataracts are usually a
result of the denaturation of lens proteins.
Genetic factors are often a cause of congenital cataracts and
may also play a role in predisposing someone to cataracts.
People over 70 often have some cataract formation. Fully half of
all people between the ages of 65 and 74 and about 70% of those
over 75 have some cataract formation.
This type of cataract is called senile cataract. This is the
most common type of cataract around.
Cataracts can also be caused by eye injury or physical trauma.
Physical trauma may puncture the lens capsule. Subsequently, the
lens become opaque and light cannot pass through the lens
anymore.
In the early days cataracts were removed through a technique
called couching. Couching involves using a thin needle or stick
to remove the clouding in the lens.
Couching was practiced during the Roman times and, surprisingly
enough, is still used in some of the underprivileged countries
in the world today.
Fortunately, with the advent of modern medicine, better and more
effective methods are now employed.
The most common and effective
treatment for cataracts is surgery
to remove the cloudy lens. Two types of surgery to remove
cataracts exist, extra-capsular and intra-capsular surgery.
Extra-capsular surgery removes the lens, but leaves the majority
of the lens capsule intact.
Intra-capsular surgery removes the entire lens of the eye along
with the lens capsule. This, however, is rarely performed in
today's medical practice.
The lens is then replaced with a plastic lens which remains
permanently in the eye. Such an implant may be the best
treatment for senile cataracts.
Operation for such is not that risky. The operation is performed
under a local anesthetic. The patient is usually discharged
later the same day. Most patients report an increase in the
quality in their vision after operations.
However, early diagnosis is crucial in treating cataracts. If
not caught early, cataracts may advance to a stage where even
surgery might not be a satisfactory type of treatment.
Doctors assess cataract cases and suggest surgery only when the
cataract has reached a stage where it is said to be ripe, or
mature. This is when the fluid of the lens is absorbed and the
lens is separated from the lens capsule.
There are, however, alternatives to operation. Some doctors
recommend the use of special eyeglasses or contact lens. Surgery
however, is the last resort, and the only resort available to
those suffering from senile cataracts.
Proper eyecare is often neglected by most people. But contrary
to this line of thinking, the eyes are a very precious and
delicate organ. Proper care for such will reap rewards
especially as one ages.
About the author:
James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of CataractWeb.com and writes
expert articles about cataracts.
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