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Cataract

introduction

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 Eye Cataract Include:

There are several symptoms of eye cataract like:

  • 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

Eye Icon

What causes eye 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

Different Types of Cataracts

What is Cortical Cataract? Cortical cataracts are a kind of cataract that develops in the edges of the lens and...

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What is Intumescent Cataract? Intumescent cataract definition and meaning states that it is the older stage of cataract that progresses...

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What is Nuclear Cataract? An excessive amount of yellowing and light scattering affecting the centre of the lens is called...

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What is Posterior Subcapsular Cataract? Posterior Subcapsular cataract is a type of cataract, where in, there is opacification in the...

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What is Rosette Cataract? Rosette cataract is a type of traumatic cataract. Traumatic cataract is the clouding of the lens...

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What is Traumatic Cataract? Traumatic cataract is clouding of the lens and eyes that may occur after either blunt or penetrating...

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Risk Factors

These factors can increase the likelihood of developing eye cataract

  • Smoking

  • Obesity

  • Aging

  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Steroid medication

  • Family History

  • Trauma

prevention

How to Prevent Eye Cataract

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

Treatments

Cataract is the most widely known eye disease in which the natural crystalline lens inside the eye gets cloudy This...

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Cataract is the opacification of natural clear lens As a part of treatment cataract has to be removed and replaced...

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the cure for cataract?

Before we jump to cure for cataract or motiyabind treatment, let us first understand the basic definition of cataract. In simple words, clouding of usually clear lens of the eye is known as cataract. Even though surgery is the only solution to treat cataract, a person may not need it right away. Below we have mentioned some of the many ways to treat eye cataract:

  1. Contacts or New Glasses: A new prescription for contact lenses or eyeglasses can help the person see better in early cataract stages.
  2. Home Treatment: The best way to treat cataract signs and symptoms is by getting in touch with an ophthalmologist. However, for the time being, a person can make small changes to manage the symptoms of eye cataract:
  • Try to use brighter lenses at work and home
  • Try using magnifying glasses for reading and other daily activities
  • Invest in anti-glare sunglasses
  1. Surgery: If your eye cataract is getting in the way of your daily activities like driving, reading, watching television, etc. your doctor might suggest surgery through which they replace the clouded lens with an artificial IOL

One of the biggest reasons or causes of cataract is injury or aging. In both the cases, there is a change in the tissue that forms the cataract in lens of the eye. Fibers and protein in the lens start to break down leading to cloudy or hazy vision.

Genetic or inherent disorders can also increase the risk of developing cataract. In addition, many other eye conditions can also cause eye cataract like diabetes, past eye surgeries, use of steroids or harsh medications.

It is best to treat eye cataract at early stages or it will get worse with time, affecting the person’s vision. However, if a person decides to wait for too long, there is a high chance that the cataract can become hyper-mature.

This makes the cataract more stubborn and difficult to remove, causing complications in surgery. Therefore, the moment you spot signs of cataract, get in touch with an ophthalmologist to undergo the surgery which is safe and effective.

Primarily, eye cataract can be divided into three types namely, posterior subcapsular cataracts, cortical cataracts, and nuclear sclerotic cataracts. To get a more detailed and comprehensive insight, let’s delve into them one by one:

  • Nuclear sclerotic cataracts

This is the most common type of cataract that begins with a gradual hardening and yellowing of the primary zone which is also referred to as the nucleus. In nuclear sclerotic cataract, the eye’s ability to focus on close-up vision may improve for a brief period of time but not permanently.

 

  • Cortical Cataracts

This type of cataract forms in the cortex and slowly extends from the outside to the centre of the lens. In some cases, when the light enters the eye, it scatters leading to glare, blurred vision, depth reception, and more. Also, when it comes to cortical cataract, diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing it.

 

  • Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

 

This type of cataract affects an individual’s night vision and reading. It begins as a small cloudy area on the back surface or posterior of the lens. Additionally, since it forms below the lens capsule it is referred to as a subcapsular cataract.

Eye Cataract surgeries are outpatient procedures where a surgeon skilfully removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a clean, artificial lens or IOL. However, when it comes to choosing these artificial lenses, the patient can choose from a diverse range of options according to their requirement, comfort, and convenience.

The cost of eye cataract surgery depends on your health insurance coverage plan and lens option that you choose. Usually, eye cataract surgery is covered in most plans, however, some lens options may be an additional expense that you will have to pay.

 

To get a better insight into the total cost or cataract surgery, we suggest you get in touch with us via phone or email to book your appointment at the earliest.

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