It’s ideal to raise awareness of this frequent eye condition in June since it’s Cataract Awareness Month. Older persons are particularly susceptible to cataracts, which can seriously impair eyesight. We’ll explore the definition of cataracts, their triggers, symptoms, and varieties in this blog. Managing eye health and getting treatment on time depends on your understanding of these factors.
About Cataracts
The normal lens of the eye, which is located back to the iris and pupil, becomes clouded when a cataract develops. Clear vision may be impeded by this clouding, making it challenging to see. Since protein and water make up the majority of the lens, cataracts arise when the protein aggregates and creates a hazy region. It can become increasingly difficult to see when cataracts enlarge and cloud thickens the lens over time.
Reasons for Cataract Development
Cataracts can form as a result of various factors, such as:
- Aging: The most frequent reason is the deterioration of the lens proteins with age.
- Genetics: Having a family carrier with cataracts may make you more susceptible.
- UV Radiation: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can speed up the development of cataracts.
- Medical Conditions: There is a higher risk associated with obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Smoking: These behaviors may have a role in the onset of cataracts.
- Eye Injuries: Trauma or previous eye surgery may raise the risk of cataract development.
- Medication: Using corticosteroids for an extended period can cause cataracts.
The Signs Of Cataracts
At first, cataracts may not impair your eyesight since they develop slowly. But with time, you might have symptoms like:
- Hazy Vision: Similar to seeing through a fogged-up or icy glass.
- The challenge with Night Vision: It gets harder to see at night.
- Sensitivity to Light: Headlight or sun glare might be uncomfortable.
- Halos Encircling Lights: This phenomenon is most noticeable at night.
- Frequently changing prescriptions: requiring more frequent or powerful glasses or contact lenses.
- Yellowing or Fading of Colors: Colors seem more yellow or less vibrant.
Cataract Types
There are various forms of cataracts, and each has a unique effect on the lens:
Nuclear Cataracts
Nuclear cataracts are cataracts that harm the lens’s core. Initially, far objects may appear fuzzy while up close objects appear clear due to a nuclear cataract. For a brief while, a nuclear cataract can support reading vision. However, the lens gradually becomes increasingly brown or yellow over time, impairing your eyesight. It could get harder to distinguish between colors.
Cortical Cataracts
Cortical cataracts are cataracts affecting the lens edges. The initial symptoms of a cortical cataract are white, wedge-shaped patches on the outer margin of the lens cortex. As the cataract gradually enlarges and affects the amount of light that enters the lens, the streaks advance toward its center.
Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Cataracts affecting the posterior subcapsular region of the lens are referred to as posterior subcapsular cataracts. A posterior subcapsular cataract usually starts as a little spot near the back of the lens that shows up in the light’s path. It is common for a posterior subcapsular cataract to impair reading vision. Also, it could make it harder for you to see in bright light and result in glare around nighttime lights. Compared to other cataract forms, these often grow more quickly.
Congenital cataracts
Congenital cataracts are the kind of cataracts that are present from birth. Some people either have cataracts from birth or acquire them as children. Parents may inherit these cataracts. They may also be linked to an infection or injury that occurred within the womb. There are several possible causes for these cataracts. These could be rubella, neurofibromatosis type 2, galactosemia, or myotonic dystrophy. Not all congenital cataracts impair eyesight. If they are discovered, they are typically taken out quickly.
How Can Identify Cataracts?
To determine whether you’re suffering from cataracts, your physician will need to know every symptom you experience. After giving your eyes a close examination, they might do the following tests:
- The visual acuity test. This is just an elegant way of stating “eye chart exam.” To test your eyesight, your doctor may ask you to read characters at a distance. One eye will be used for testing first, followed by the other. If you pass the glare test, which involves putting a strong light in the eye and having you read the letters, they might also do another test.
- The Slit-Lamp Exam. To examine various areas of your eye, your doctor will use a specialized microscope that emits intense light. Your cornea, or clear outer layer, will be examined. The colorful portion of your eye, known as the iris, as well as the lens that lies behind it, will also be examined. To improve vision, the lens refracts light as it reaches your eye.
- Eye exam. Your doctor will use drops to enlarge your pupils, which are the black patches in the center of your eyes that regulate the amount of light that enters. This gives them a clearer picture of the cataract and a closer look at the retina, the tissue surrounding your eyes.
The Value of Routine Eye Exams and Healthful Lifestyle Decisions
To properly manage cataracts and discover them early, routine eye exams are essential. Your optometrist can identify the early indicators of cataract development and suggest suitable therapies during an eye exam. The following lifestyle decisions can support eye health maintenance:
- Put on some sunglasses: Put on shades with UV protection to shield your eyes from damaging UV radiation.
- Give Up Smoking: You can reduce your risk by cutting back on or quitting smoking.
- Consume a Balanced Diet: Antioxidant-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens can support eye health.
- Handle Medical Conditions: Maintain control over ailments including high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Limit your alcohol intake. The chance of cataracts can rise with excessive alcohol consumption.
Cataracts can seriously impair your eyesight and quality of life, yet they are a common but treatable ailment. You can safeguard the health of your eyes by being aware of the causes, signs, and varieties of cataracts. To avoid and manage cataracts and ensure that you have clear, sharp eyesight for years to come, regular eye checkups and good lifestyle choices are crucial.
