Cataract, surgery or no surgery and when to do it.
Corneal lens is a clear convex lens behind iris. It is the purpose of direct light to the retina. When corneal lens degenerates with time, it becomes less clear and allow less light to pass through, making the images that we see through our eyes blurrier. This condition is called cataract
In most cases cataract is found in patients ages 60 and above and is an early-stage of cataract that does not impaired the vision. However, as time goes by the condition will worsen and will start to decrease the vision.
Symptoms of cataract:
As the transparency of the corneal lens degrade slowly, it is related to how the vision also becoming blur slowly over time. This happens without any symptoms such as conjunctivitis or soreness of the eyes. The vision is decrease when view in the places with low light, similar to looking through fog or opaque glass. Some type of cataract makes the decreases the vision of the patients when they are in bright open area or when driving at night and unable to focus on the light of the vehicles in front. If the cataract is left untreated for long time, the eyes will have the appearance of white in the center of the eyes. Nowadays this is less common as it is becoming easier for people to have access to the hospital for eye checkup. If you are experiencing these symptoms please come to the hospital to check and get diagnose.
Cause of cataract:
1. Cataract is caused by the aging process, most commonly found in older patients of the age 60 and above. The protein in the eye changes and the clear-ness of the eyes is reduced.
2. Can be caused by certain type of medication such as steroid
3. Medical condition that increase the risk of cataract such as obesity and diabetes.
4. History of accident relating to the eyes. Infection or inflammation of the eyes.
5. Family history of cataract.
Measure of prevention:
As aging is the main cause of cataract, there are no medication of eyes drop that can be taken to prevent cataract. However, it is known that people working in bright sunlight has a much faster rate of the degenerative process of the eyes than those who work in lower brightness. It is recommended to wear sunglass when in bright sunlight.
Treatment of cataract:
Surgery is the only method of treatment for cataract as currently there are no medication to cure cataract. Cataract surgery is very safe with less than 1% of infection and can improve vision by up to 95% after cataract is removed by replacing a permanent corneal lens that will not get cataract again.
Surgery or no surgery?
Patients diagnose with cataract does not need to apply for surgery immediately as the cataract be left without treatment relatively long time if they are in no way affecting the day to day activities of the patients. Nevertheless, if the cataract is untreated for long period of time, it will harden and more difficult to remove with chances of side effect, therefore we recommend that you check with eye doctors constantly to check on the condition of the cataract.
