What is Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of your eye's natural, clear lens, caused by protein clumping. It causes symptoms like blurry vision, glare, and trouble with night driving. Although common in older adults, eye cataracts can also be caused by injuries, medical conditions, or prolonged UV exposure It is treatable with modern surgical techniques when vision is impaired.

What happens in Cataract

Clouding :

Proteins in the lens break down and clump, making the normally clear lens opaque.

Light Scattering :

This clouding blocks and scatters light, preventing a sharp image from reaching the retina.

Symptoms of Cataract:

Common cataract signs and symptoms in the eye include:

• • Blurred, hazy, or cloudy vision
• • Sensitivity to light and glare (halos around lights).
• • Difficulty seeing at night or in low light.
• • Colors appearing faded or yellowish.
• • Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
• • Double vision in one eye

What are the Causes of Cataract?

There are several causes of cataract, with aging being the most common. Other factors that lead to the formation of cataracts include :

• Aging : Natural changes in the lens cause protein breakdown and cloudiness, resulting in cataracts.

• Eye Injuries : Trauma to the eye can lead to cataract formation, either immediately or years later.

• Family History : A family history of cataracts increases the risk.

• Medical Conditions : Conditions like diabetes significantly increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.

• UV Exposure : Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays without proper eye protection can damage the lens.

• Steroid Use : Long-term use of corticosteroids can accelerate cataract formation.

• Smoking and Alcohol : Both habits contribute to oxidative damage in the eye and increase the risk of cataracts.

Types of Cataracts:

There are 6 types of cataracts commonly observed, each with its distinct characteristics:

• Nuclear : Forms in the center, causing far vision blur but sometimes temporary near vision improvement.

• Cortical : Starts as white streaks at the lens's edge, spreading inward

• Posterior Subcapsular : Forms at the back of the lens, directly in the light's path

• Congenital: Present at birth or develops in childhood, often genetic.

• Secondary: Develops due to other conditions like diabetes or steroid use

• Traumatic : Results from eye injury

Cataract Treatment:

• Diagnosis : An eye doctor diagnoses cataracts through a dilated eye examination.

• Early Stages : May be managed with stronger glasses, better lighting, or anti-glare sunglasses.

• Surgery : When vision loss impacts daily life, the cloudy lens is removed by surgery and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).