3. Causes of Cataracts
- Aging: The most common cause, where proteins in the lens break down and clump together, forming a cloudy area.
- Genetics: A family history of cataracts can increase the risk.
- Eye Injury: Past trauma to the eye can lead to cataract development.
- Health Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, or prolonged use of corticosteroids can increase the risk.
- Exposure to UV Light: Long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can damage the lens.
- Smoking and Alcohol: These lifestyle factors can increase the likelihood of cataract formation.
4. Symptoms of Cataracts
- Blurry or cloudy vision.
- Faded or yellowed colors, making it harder to distinguish between shades.
- Glare and halos around lights, especially at night.
- Double vision in one eye.
- Difficulty seeing at night.
5. Treatment for Cataracts
- Eyeglasses: In early stages, a change in prescription or wearing stronger glasses can help improve vision.
- Surgery: The
only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. The cloudy lens is removed and typically replaced with a
synthetic intraocular lens (IOL). Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed worldwide.
- Phacoemulsification: A technique where the cataract is broken into small pieces and removed through a tiny incision.
- Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE): Used for more advanced cataracts, where a larger incision is made to remove the lens in one piece.
6. Presbyopia vs. Cataracts:
- Presbyopia affects near vision due to the
loss of flexibility in the lens, while
cataracts cloud the lens, affecting both near and far vision.
- Cataracts often develop slowly and worsen over time, whereas
presbyopia is a gradual and inevitable age-related condition that affects near focus only.