Many people wonder what is cataract? A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside the eye which leads to a decrease in vision. It is the most common cause of reversible blindness and most cataracts are a result of the aging process. Cataracts occur when there is a buildup of protein in the lens that makes it cloudy. This prevents light from passing clearly through the lens, causing some loss of vision. The only treatment for cataract is a surgical removal of the opaque lens. Nowadays, it is a very safe and effective procedure done under drops of anesthesia, resulting in improvement of vision from the first day.
What is Cataract & Who is Vulnerable?
Several factors, including age, genetics, injury, certain medications, and medical conditions of diabetes, influence the development of cataracts. Cataracts are most commonly caused by changes in the eye’s lens caused by aging, and Cloudiness and impaired vision can result from the breakdown and clumping of lens proteins over time. In the process of aging, nuclear sclerosis is commonly referred to as “nuclear aging.”.
What Is Cataract Signs?
Your vision is blurry and cloudy
Colors are no longer vivid and seem faded
Night time seeing becomes difficult and it is hard to drive
Headlights, sun and street lights seem too bright
Often you see halos around lights
You may see double (this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
Gender and Age
Cataracts occur more frequently in women than in men. Various factors, including a longer life expectancy, hormonal balance, and osteoporosis, may increase women’s risk of developing cataracts, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, cataracts are more likely to occur in individuals over 60 since age plays a significant role in the development of cataracts. Over half of all Americans have cataracts or have undergone cataract surgery by age 80, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
Countries with High Cataract Rates
Blindness caused by cataracts varies by country, and its prevalence is highest in developing countries. Developing countries with limited access to healthcare and cataract surgery are most likely to suffer from cataracts, according to the WHO. It is prevalent among older adults in these regions to suffer from cataracts, which are a leading cause of blindness. Modern cataract surgery allows patients to have a less severe vision impact because cataracts are also prevalent in developed countries.
Technologies Used to Remove Cataracts
The procedure of cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lenses and inserting an artificial lens (IOL) in their place. Certain tasks can be performed in various ways and with various technologies in cataract surgery, such as phacoemulsification, femtosecond laser cataract surgery, and manual minor incision cataract surgery.
Phacoemulsification
The most common cataract surgery technique is phacoemulsification. The procedure involves making a small incision in the cornea and inserting a tiny probe into the eye. Cloudy lenses are broken into tiny fragments with high-frequency sound waves, which are then suctioned out of the eye with a probe. Using the same incision that was used to remove the lens, an IOL is placed into the eye.
Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
With femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, precise incisions are made in the cornea and lens, and the lens is broken into small fragments. By using this technique, you may achieve better vision outcomes, faster healing, and fewer complications.
