What are Cataracts?
Written by Ziffytech
Cataracts are cloudy parts of the lens in your eye that are normally transparent. It is the main reason why many people over the age of 40 go blind.
Looking through a cataract lens is similar to looking through fog or a dusty or frosted window. Clouded vision can make driving, reading or looking at the world difficult.
Most cataracts develop gradually and slowly interfere with your vision.
In India cataract has been documented as the leading cause of bilateral blindness.
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Types of cataract
Cataracts can be classified based on where and how they develop in the eye:-
A nuclear cataract is the most widespread type of cataract. The center of the eye lens is called the nucleus. This nucleus becomes yellow and hardens. The decline of vision is gradual.
Cortical cataract appears as a cloudy opaque film in the cortex, the outer part of the lens. The cataract looks like spokes of a wheel pointing inwards towards the lens. People with cortical cataract frequently experience glare.
A posterior subcapsular cataract forms opacity at the rear of the lens. This type of cataract causes light sensitivity, reading problems, and glare. Diabetic are more prone to this type of cataract.
Congenital Cataracts are formed when some babies are born or children develop them in childhood.
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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cataracts are:-
Blurry visionr
Difficulty to see during the nightr
Colors appear as fadedr
Increased light and glare sensitivityr
Halos surrounding lightr
Double vision in a single eyer
Recurrent modification in spectacle or contact lens prescription.
You need to book an ophthalmologist in Hyderabad if you notice any change in your vision or are having any vision problems.
Causes
Most cataracts develop due to aging. After 40 the normal eye changes and the proteins in the lens start to break down. This breakdown eventually causes the lens to appear cloudy. Any vision problems may appear years later. The first symptoms usually occur after you tu
60. Other causes for cataract may be:-
Some cataracts run in the familyr
Medical problems such as diabetesr
Certain medications may cause an early formation of cataracts or receiving radiation treatment in the upper half of your body.
Eye surgeryr
Spending excessive time in the sun, without sunglasses with UV protection.
Age-related cataracts develop gradually. Cataracts that develop due to other medical problems may develop suddenly.
Diagnosis
The best ophthalmologist in Hyderabad will review your symptoms. They will examine your eyes to make their diagnosis. During the examination, they may use eye drops to widen your pupils. Some tests used by the ophthalmologist are:-
The Slit-lamp exam will let the best ophthalmologist in Hyderabad examine different parts of the eye. This machine helps them spot abnormalities if any.
The retinal exam will be done after your eyes have been dilated. They will examine your retinas. Using a slit lamp or ophthalmoscope the ophthalmologist near me will examine the lens for signs of cataract.
The refraction and visual acuity test will assess your vision for sharpness and clarify.
Treatment
Cataracts can be treated via simple surgery. The best ophthalmologist in Hyderabad will recommend the surgery when the cataract starts to interfere with vision. During the surgery, the clouded eye lens will be removed and replaced with an artificial clear lens. This new lens is called intraocular lens or IOL. The surgery is can be carried out in the doctor’s clinic or as an outpatient facility at a hospital under local anesthesia. Cataract surgery has a high success rate. There some risks of infection or retinal detachment. You need to follow the aftercare instructions while recuperating. It normally takes 8 weeks. Cataract surgery is generally scheduled for one eye before the best ophthalmologist in Hyderabad proceeds with the second eye.
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