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Did you know how cataracts can quietly affect your vision?
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye that can cause vision loss. This condition usually develops slowly and may affect one or both eyes. Over time, patients may experience dulling of colors, blurred or ghosting vision, halos around light sources, increased sensitivity to bright light, and difficulty seeing at night. As a result, these vision problems may cause difficulty in driving, reading, or recognizing faces.
Cataracts are responsible for approximately 51% of global blindness and 33% of visual impairments.
In addition, vision loss can lead to an increased risk of falls and mental health issues such as depression. Cataracts are most commonly caused by aging, but they can also occur due to trauma or radiation exposure, be present at birth, or be a complication after surgery for other eye problems.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Symptoms of cataracts vary depending on their type, however common symptoms include vision loss and sensitivity to glare. In patients with nuclear cataracts, a decrease in distance vision is usually noted, whereas patients with posterior capsular cataracts complain primarily of glare.
The diagnostic process is usually done through an eye exam. As cataracts progress, patients may find they need to continually replace their glasses to accommodate changes in vision. If left untreated, congenital cataracts may cause amblyopia.
The causes and risk factors of cataracts
A common cause of cataracts is aging, which causes the protein in the eye's lens to denature and degrade over time. This process is accelerated by conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Smoking, long-term use of corticosteroids, prolonged sun exposure, and alcohol abuse are also risk factors for cataracts.
Prevention and treatment
While there is no scientific evidence that cataracts can be completely prevented, wearing UV-blocking sunglasses may help slow their progression. A balanced intake of vitamins A, C, and E may reduce the risk of cataracts, but there is no clear evidence of the effect of supplements.
Once cataracts affect the quality of life, surgery is the only effective treatment. The surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and most patients return to good vision after surgery. The ophthalmologist will remove the cloudy lens during surgery and replace it with an artificial lens.
Post-operative care
The recovery period from surgery is usually short, and patients are able to walk on the day of surgery, but it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity. After surgery, the operated eye will be temporarily protected by an eye patch, which is an effective way to reduce infection and promote healing.
Epidemiology and conclusions
According to international data, age-related cataracts are responsible for 51% of blindness cases worldwide, meaning approximately 20 million people are affected. Even in countries with abundant medical resources, the elderly are a high-risk group for cataracts. About 68% of people over the age of 80 will suffer from cataracts. Since the impact of cataracts is so widespread, ranging from quality of life to mental health, should we pay more attention to this hidden health problem?
