Cataract: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Tests, Prevention, and Treatment.

 

Cataract

Cataract:

The thing that looks like a clear glass behind the iris or black screen of the eye is called a lens. The light falls through this lens to the retina of the eye. Then we see something. If for some reason this lens becomes opaque or cloudy then we call it a cataract. Light cannot pass through any opaque object. So, cataracts in the eyes hinder light rays to reach in the retina of the eye. As a result, the eyes can’t see anything. However, the vision gradually decreases. Cataracts are one of the four leading causes of blindness worldwide. Other causes include corneal disease, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease.

Causes of cataract:

The main cause of cataract in the eyes is the deterioration of the protein structure of the lens material with age. Other reasons for this problem may include:

• Some long-term diseases such as diabetes, eye infections, etc.
• Hereditary
• Long-term use of steroids
• Smoking and alcohol addiction
• Working in the presence of ultraviolet rays of the sun
• Eye injuries
• Vitamin deficiency

Symptoms of cataract:

• The vision of the eyes gradually decreases
• In the early stages, distant objects appear blurred or foggy
• Later the eyes become almost blind as the vision decreases
• The lens turns white or brown
• Having difficulty seeing at night
• Capitalization and high light is required for clear reading and viewing
• Not being able to perceive brightness in colorful things
• Non-facilitation of sunlight and its intensity
• The same thing happens with two seeing or double vision together
• Seeing the circle or spectrum around the bright object

 

Types of Cataract:

Congenital cataract:

Some babies may be born with cataracts or may develop cataracts soon after birth. This type of cataract is called a congenital cataract. One-third of congenital cataracts are usually hereditary. Some diseases of the mother during pregnancy such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus disease, measles, influenza, etc. can cause this type of cataract in the child. If the mother takes extra steroids during pregnancy, the baby may also have this type of cataract.

Age-related cataract:

The type of cataract is the most common. This type of cataract is due to age. A cataract starts appearing in adulthood at the age of 50-60 years. Cataracts are very common when you are 60-70 years old. However, many can get cataract at the age of 40-45 due to heredity. With age, some chemical changes occur in the lens of the eye and the lens becomes opaque or cloudy and develop a cataract.

Complex cataract:

The type of cataract can occur at any age. This type of cataract is caused by complications of some primary diseases of the eye. Such as Irish inflammation, retinal disease, high vision or high myopia, glaucoma, etc.

Traumatic cataract:

This type of cataract can occur at any age if there is any injury to the eyes. Moreover, this type of cataract can also occur in electric shock, X-ray, gamma ray, ultraviolet rays of the sun, etc.

Metabolic Cataract:

Cataract can occur at any age due to metabolic diseases like diabetes, galactosemia, etc. Diabetes raises blood glucose levels. When the level of glucose in the blood increases, the level of glucose also increases in the aqueous humor of the eye. Then a large amount of glucose enters the cortex of the lens. This increases the amount of water in the cortex of the lens. As a result, the normal metabolism of the lens is disrupted and the lens becomes opaque or cloudy.

Cataract due to medicine:

Some medications, such as steroids, can cause cataracts. Other medicines that can cause cataracts are chlorpromazine, myotics, busulfan, amiodarone, etc.

 

Cataract test:

• Vision test to see if a text can be read correctly
• Slit lamp tests are used to determine the exact distance between the lens of the eye, the cornea or the star of the eye, and the iris.
• Retina or retinal examination

 

Cataract prevention:

Eye injuries, various eye diseases, diabetes, certain medications, etc. are some of the causes of cataract at a young age. These factors can be prevented. In general, children and adolescents are more prone to cataracts. So, if you are careful, you will not get a cataract. Children should not be given anything sharp. They should not be allowed to play with sharp toys. In the case of any eye disease, cataracts will not occur in many cases if treated in time. If you have diabetes, you have to control it through treatment. Pregnant mothers should pay special attention to prevent cataracts. Pregnant mothers should not be allowed to take steroids in large quantities or for long periods of time. If the pregnant mother has any illness, she should be given proper treatment. Must be examined by a doctor regularly.

 

Cataract treatment:

The only treatment for cataract is to remove the cataract by surgery. Many people think that if the cataract is bigger, then the operation should be done. It’s a horrible misconception. When it is safe to have surgery, the ophthalmologist will tell you the condition of the cataract. Too late can lead to cataract complications. Such as glaucoma and lens dislocation or moving the lens of the eye from a certain place, which can lead to vision loss. Nowadays cataract surgery is done using very advanced methods. Different methods of cataract surgery are given below:

Couching:

In ancient times, the opaque lens of the eye was used as a coaching method to throw jelly-like objects into the vitreous inside the eye. The patient could see something temporarily. But soon the complexity of this procedure would cause the eyes to go blind forever. It is an unscientific method. 

ICCE:

In, this method, the whole lens including the capsule of the lens is surgically removed. The complexity of this method is high. This procedure does not involve the attachment of artificial lenses by cataract surgery. As a result, thick and thick lenses have to be used. With such thick and thick lenses, a comfortable vision cannot be regained. At present this method is completely obsolete.

ECCE:

In, this method, the capsule in front of the lens is cut into a circle and the lens is taken out from inside. The back capsule remains. Here artificial lenses are placed in the bag that makes up some of the front capsule and the rear capsule. This method is best for any type of cataract. The complexity of this method is low. Having the capsule on the back of the lens keeps the jelly-like thing inside the eye or the vitreous at a standstill, which helps to protect the retina. As a result of wearing artificial lenses, the patient can see distant and near objects without spectacles or with low power spectacles. The eyes regain almost normal vision.

Phacoemulsification:

In short it is called phaco surgery. The most advanced method of cataract surgery. In this method, the opaque lens of the eye is pulled out piece by piece with the help of ultrasonic vibration. The opaque lens of the eye is removed by a phaco machine through a small tunnel incision. Artificial lenses are inserted inside the eye in the same way. It does not require any stitching.

SICS:

This method of cataract surgery has become quite popular in developing countries. This method does not require expensive equipment like a phaco machine. However, the results of the operation are as good as phaco. The opaque lens of the eye is brought out by a special device through a small tunnel incision. However, the length of the tunnel incision is longer than the phaco. Cataract surgery with this procedure usually does not require any stitches in the eye.