Cataracts: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Cataracts
A cataract is a part of the eye's clear lens that is cloudy or opaque. It may obstruct normal vision depending on its size and location. The majority of cataracts affect people over the age of 55. But trauma or medication can also cause cataracts in infants and young children. Cataracts typically affect both eyes, though they may be more severe in one eye than in the other.
Behind the iris, the eye's colored part is the lens, which is inside the eye. The lens normally focuses light on the retina, which then sends the image to the brain via the optic nerve. However, if a cataract clouds the lens, light is scattered, making it impossible for the lens to focus properly, resulting in vision problems. The lens is made up of water and proteins. Fiber and protein changes cause the lens to become cloudy.
The majority of cataracts develop slowly and do not affect your vision immediately. However, cataracts will eventually impair your vision over time. Cataracts can be managed with stronger lighting and glasses at first. However, cataract surgery may be necessary if impaired vision prevents you from engaging in your usual activities. Fortunately, cataract surgery generally works well and is safe.
Types Of Cataracts
There are various types of cataracts. They are categorized according to their location and development in your eye.
- Nuclear Cataracts: The nucleus, or center, of the lens, turns yellow or brown as a result of nuclear cataracts, which develop in the middle of the lens.
- Cortical Cataracts: They form around the nucleus's edges and are wedge-shaped.
- Posterior Capsular Cataracts: The back of the lens is affected by posterior capsular cataracts, which develop more quickly than the other two types.
- Anterior Subcapsular Cataracts: This type of cataract develops just inside the front of your lens capsule. One can result from eye swelling or injury. Atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, is also a possibility.
- Secondary Cataracts: Diseases or medications can cause secondary cataracts. Diabetes and glaucoma are two conditions that are associated with the development of cataracts. Prednisone, a steroid, and other medications can occasionally cause cataracts.
- Congenital Cataracts: They can develop at birth or in the first year of life. Some are caused by an illness your mother contracted while pregnant, like rubella, while others are caused by your genes. They may not require treatment if they are small or outside the lens's center. However, because it can prevent the eye from learning to see, a doctor must remove one from a baby who is born with one that blocks vision. Age-related cataracts are more common than congenital cataracts.
- Traumatized Cataracts: After an eye injury, traumatized cataracts form; however, this process may take several years.
- Posterior Polar Cataracts: It occurs in the back center of the lens and are frequently brought on by genes passed down through a family. Since posterior polar cataracts are difficult to remove, they frequently do not cause symptoms.
- Anterior Polar Cataracts: They are small white dots that appear on the front and center of your lens. Most of the time, cataracts don't affect your vision.
- Radiation Cataract: After receiving cancer radiation treatment, radiation cataracts may develop.
- Zonal or Lamellar Cataracts: They are a type of cataract that usually affects both of a child's eyes when they are younger. Genes transmit them from one generation to the next. In the center of the lens, these cataracts can appear as a cloud of fine white dots in the shape of a Y. Over time, the entire lens's center may turn white.
Causes Of Cataracts
Proteins and water make up most of your eye's lens. In your eye, proteins remain as they degrade over time. Your lens may become cloudy due to these lingering proteins, making it difficult to see clearly. This is a common, albeit unpleasant, aspect of aging.
A cataract refers to a cloudy lens. Behind the colored part of your eye (the iris), the lens is positioned. The lens focuses the light that enters your eye, creating sharp, clear images on the retina, the light-sensitive membrane of the eye.
As you progress in years, the lens in your eyes becomes thicker, less straightforward, and less adaptable. Lens proteins and fibers break down and clump together with age and other medical conditions, clouding the lenses.
The clouding becomes denser as the cataract continues to grow. A cataract prevents an image with clear details from reaching your retina because it scatters light and prevents it from passing through the lens. Consequently, your vision becomes blurry.
Even though they don't always develop at the same rate, cataracts typically affect both eyes. Because one eye may have a waterfall that is more developed than the other, there may be a difference in vision between the two.
The following are some factors that can accelerate cataract formation:
- Steroids are common medications used to treat lupus and arthritis.
- Phenothiazine medications like chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, among other conditions.
- Diabetes.
- Eye injuries or surgery.
- Treatment with radiation to your upper body.
- Spending a lot of time in the sun without sunglasses.
Risk Factors For Cataracts
The following are risk factors for cataracts:
- Older age
- Diabetes
- Heavy alcohol use
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Previous eye surgeries
- Previous eye injuries
- A family history of cataracts
- Excessive sunlight exposure
- Exposure to radiation (X-rays and cancer treatments)
Symptoms Of Cataracts
Usually, cataracts form slowly. Until they start to block light, you might not be aware that you have them. You may then observe:
- The vision that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy
- Nearsightedness (in older people)
- Changes in how you see colors
- Light sensitivity
- Seeing "haloes" surrounding lights
- Difficulty in driving at night
- Driving during the day (such as glare from oncoming headlights)
- Double vision in the affected eye
- Yellowing or fading of colors
- Having trouble with your eyeglasses or contact lenses
Diagnosis Of Cataracts
Your healthcare professional will perform the following tests for the diagnosis of cataracts.
- Test Of Visual Acuity: An eye chart is used in a visual acuity test to determine how well you can read a series of letters. While the other eye is covered, each of your eyes is tested separately. Your eye doctor will use a chart or a device with progressively smaller letters to determine whether you have 20/20 vision or if your vision is impaired.
- Slit Lamp Analysis: Using a slit lamp, your eye doctor can see the structures in your eyes under magnification. Because it produces an intense line of light or slit, that illuminates your eye's front. That's why the microscope is referred to as a slit lamp.
- Exam of the Eye's Retina: Before a retinal exam, your eye doctor will give you drops to dilate (widen) your pupils. As a result, the retina, which is located in the back of your eyes, is easier to see. Your eye doctor can look at your lens for signs of a waterfall with an ophthalmoscope or cut light, a specialized instrument.
- Applanation Tonometry: The fluid pressure in your eye is measured by this test. This can be accomplished with a variety of devices.
Treatment Of Cataracts
Your doctor will assist you in managing your symptoms if you are unable or unwilling to undergo surgery. They suggest sunglasses with anti-glare coatings, magnifying lenses, or stronger glasses.
Cataract Surgery
If cataracts prevent you from doing things like reading or driving every day, surgery is recommended. It is also done when cataracts prevent other eye problems from being treated.
- Phacoemulsification: It is a type of surgery in which ultrasound waves are used to separate the lens and remove the pieces.
- Extracapsular Surgery: In this surgery, the natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. Extracapsular surgery removes the cloudy portion of the lens through a lengthy corneal incision.
Surgical treatment of cataracts is exceptionally protected and has a high achievement rate. Infection, bleeding, and retinal detachment are among the risks associated with cataract surgery.
Lifestyle Modification In Cataracts
Until surgery is chosen, lifestyle changes and home remedies for managing cataract symptoms:
- To reduce glare, wear sunglasses or a broad-brimmed hat when you go outside during the day.
- Avoid driving at night.
- Use a magnifying glass to read if you need additional assistance.
- Make sure the prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses is as accurate as possible. Increase the brightness of the lamps in your home.
Prevention Of Cataracts
To lower your risk of developing cataracts, you must follow the preventive measures listed below,- Wearing sunglasses outdoors
- Getting regular eye exams
- Quitting smoking
- Eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Controlling diabetes, and other medical conditions