Cataract
What is Cataract?
The word “cataract” is derived from the Greek word katarraktes which loosely translates to waterfall. It was believed that a congealed fluid from the brain had flowed in front of the lens of the eyes. Today, eye cataract is defined as the clouding of the lens of your eyes.
When proteins present in the eye form clumps, it muddles the vision with a cloudy, hazy outline. It gradually develops and starts interfering with your vision and unless treated could lead to total blindness.
Some of the symptoms of cataract include
- Cloudy/milky/foggy/blurry vision
- Poor night vision
- Seeing a halo (glare) around lights especially when looking at headlights in the night
- Double vision in few cases in the affected eye
- Seeing a fading in colours
- Need for brighter reading light
- Growing sensitivity to sunlight and bright lights
- Frequent prescription changes for glasses
What causes cataracts?
The major cause for cataract is age. Other than that, various factors can cause the formation of cataracts like:
- Previous or untreated eye injury
- Hypertension
- Previous eye surgery
- UV radiation
- Long exposure to sunlight
- Over usage of certain medications
- Hormone replacement therapy
Types of Cataract
Cortical Cataract
What is Cortical Cataract? Cortical cataracts are a kind of cataract that develops in the edges of the lens and...
Intumescent Cataract
What is Intumescent Cataract? Intumescent cataract definition and meaning states that it is the older stage of cataract that progresses...
Nuclear Cataract
What is Nuclear Cataract? An excessive amount of yellowing and light scattering affecting the centre of the lens is called...
Posterior Subcapsular Cataract
What is Posterior Subcapsular Cataract? Posterior Subcapsular cataract is a type of cataract, where in, there is opacification in the...
Rosette Cataract
What is Rosette Cataract? Rosette cataract is a type of traumatic cataract. Traumatic cataract is the clouding of the lens...
Traumatic Cataract
What is Traumatic Cataract? Traumatic cataract is clouding of the lens and eyes that may occur after either blunt or penetrating...
Risk Factors
These factors can increase the likelihood of developing cataracts
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Aging
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Steroid medication
- Family History
Prevention
Cataract prevention can be done if proper care is taken. Some of them include:
- Regular eye check-ups
- Quitting smoking
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Eating fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants
- Wearing UV blocking sunglasses while going out in sunlight
Diagnosis
A thorough eye examination by an ophthalmologist is recommended to determine the presence of a cataract. A comprehensive medical eye examination should be done. This is achieved by the following tests:
- Visual Acuity test – This test will assess the clarity and sharpness of your vision. Here, each eye will be tested individually to check the ability of the eye to see letters of different sizes placed at a distance.
- Slit-lamp exam – A special microscope is used in this test to examine the cornea, iris, lens and other parts of the eye. This lens bends light as it enters into the eye making it easier for the ophthalmologist to spot abnormalities.
- Retinal exam – Here, eye drops are put in the eyes to widen the pupils. The ophthalmologist can examine the retina and optic nerves and to also look for glaucoma.
Written by: Dr. Moses Rajamani – Consultant Ophthalmologist, Kanchipuram
Treatments
Cataract Surgery
Cataract is the most widely known eye disease in which the natural crystalline lens inside the eye gets cloudy This...
Laser Cataract Surgery
Cataract is the opacification of natural clear lens As a part of treatment cataract has to be removed and replaced...
Doctor Speaks: All about Cataracts
Dr. Soundari
Dr. Soundari
Do not ignore eye trouble!
Now you can reach our senior doctors by booking an online video consultation or a hospital appointment
Book an appointment nowRead more about Cataract
Cataract Surgery: Everything you need to know
Dr. Vandana Jain
People who are above the age of 50 are more likely to hear from their doctor that they have...
Cataract effects and eye care guidelines after cataract surgery
Dr. Vandana Jain
What is Cataract? Cataract or motiyabindu is the most common known cause of vision loss induced by lens opacification. It...
“Is Corneal Swelling after Cataract Surgery normal ?”
Dr. Vandana Jain
Cornea is the front transparent part of the eye and allows light to enter the eye. Additionally it accounts for...
Can Cataract Affect Younger Age Group?
Dr. Vandana Jain
That day, I was in my clinic doing my routine clinical work, when 17-year old Manav entered my chamber with...
Cataract Surgery Aftercare and Recovery- what care is needed after cataract surgery and...
Dr. Vandana Jain
Asma had a perfect cataract surgery and she was truly enjoying the world with the clearer and brighter vision. She...
Cataract surgery in Weak Cornea
Dr. Vandana Jain
Mrs. Fernandes was in deep agony and she could not understand why she has a weak cornea. According to her,...
Eye Irritation After Cataract Surgery
Dr. Vandana Jain
Mr. Mohan got his cataract surgery done 45 days back. He was an incredibly happy patient and his vision improvement...
Light Sensitivity after Cataract Surgery
Dr. Vandana Jain
Cataract is a disease which affects mostly older people and progresses slowly. One of the major symptoms people develop is...
Rise of Cataract surgery in India and Availability of Suitable Lens
Dr. Vandana Jain
Thanks to modern medical marvels we have more and more people living beyond 60 years. With this increased aging population...
Should Cataract Surgery Be Delayed?
Dr. Vandana Jain
In general, cataract surgery is not an emergency surgery but an elective procedure. This does not devalue the significance...
Summers Can Give You Cataract Too
Dr. Vandana Jain
Summer may keep the flowers blooming and the grass green but excessive exposure to sunlight causes damage to our eyes...
What is the right time for cataract surgery?
Dr. Vandana Jain
Cataract is one of the most common and important causes of blurred vision in old age. As an ophthalmologist, I...
Cataract Surgery linked to Longer Life
Dr. Vandana Jain
Mr. Joseph Nair was a 62 years old retired accountant. Joseph had noticed little glows around the streetlights during his...
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you. For feedback, queries or help with booking appointments, please get in touch.
Registered Office, Chennai
1st & 3rd Floor, Buhari Towers, No.4, Moores Road, Off Greams Road, Near Asan Memorial School, Chennai – 600006, Tamilnadu
