A cataract is a damaging eye condition that clouds aperson’s eyesight. It affects the lens of an eye, the part responsible for focusing a person’s vision. As the cataract develops, the lens clouds gradually.
2. A cataract is a damaging eye condition that clouds aperson’s eyesight. It affects
the lens of an eye, the part responsible for focusing a person’s vision. As the cataract
develops, the lens clouds gradually. Over time, the person suffers from severe vision
impairment. Though a cataract rarely causes permanent damage, it could still bring a lot
of trouble to the affected person.
Causes
This disease can be attributed to many sources:
Old age
Lack of vitamins
Medications
Eye trauma
Frequent exposure to UV rays
Other eye diseases
Types
There are different types of cataracts, such as:
Age-related cataracts – A good chunk of the population would suffer naturally
from cataract. This disease occurs more frequently in people over 40 years old.
Proteins that build up in the lens cause the tinting and clouding of eyesight.
Congenital cataract – This refers to cases of cataracts present since birth caused
by different birth defects and diseases.
Secondary cataract – These are cataracts formed after surgery for other diseases
such as treatments for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Traumatic cataract – An eye injury can cause cataracts.
Radiation cataract – Severe exposure to radiation could lead to cataracts.
3.
Nuclear
cataract
–
This
happens
when
the
clouding occurs in the center of the lens.
Posterior sub-capsular cataract – In this case, the cloud forms behind the lens.
Symptoms
Cataracts take a long time to develop, and its initial symptoms are not that
obvious. In its early stages, the cataracts cloud the lens slightly, making it hard to
notice. The cataract then grows in size and its growth affects the light that the eyes
see. As it progresses further, it starts to show different symptoms including:
Blurred vision
Halos appear around lights
Double vision
Colors
Difficulty seeing at night
Eyes become overly sensitive to
seem
faded,
pale,
or
washed out
glare and light
Fortunately, there are now different treatments for cataracts like laser surgery.
Health professionals like the ones from Pacific Specialists offer different treatments for
cataracts and other diseases related the eyes, ears, nose, and throat. It is advisable to
consult a professional if anyone suffers from a cataract.
Resources:
http://pacificspecialists.com/eye/conditions-we-treat/
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp
http://www.eyehealthweb.com/cataracts/
