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Hello everyone today
we are looking at cataracts how many of us know what that is.
Cataracts are a clouding
of the eye’s natural lens, which normally sits just behind the iris and focuses
light. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision gradually becomes blurry, hazy, or
dim, much like looking through a fogged‑up window. Cataracts are extremely
common with age and are one of the leading cases of vision impairment
worldwide.
How does having cataracts
feel, well from what I could find out this, blurred or foggy vision, glare or
halos around lights usually at night. There is a sensitivity to bright lights
and the need for brighter light when doing stuff and reading. There can be Double
vision in one eye.
These symptoms
usually develop slowly, and early cataracts may cause no noticeable problems.
Why
do cataracts happen well over time, the proteins that make up the lens break
down and clump together, forming cloudy patches. The most common causes are ageing,
UV exposure from sunlight, family history of cataracts, diabetes, long‑term
steroid use, smoking or previous eye injury or surgery
In rare cases,
babies can be born with cataracts (congenital cataracts).
Often an optometrist
will diagnose cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam. This is why regular
eye exams are recommended from age 40 onward, even without symptoms.
There is no
medication, diet, or eye drop that can reverse cataracts. Treatment depends on
how much they affect daily life.
In
the early stage’s things like stronger lighting, updated glasses, and anti‑glare
sunglasses may help.
However,
when vision is significantly affected cataract surgery is the only effective
treatment. This involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear
artificial lens (an intraocular lens, or IOL)
The procedure is quick
(about 30 minutes), usually done under local anaesthetic, and has a very high
success rate. Most people notice clearer vision within days.
You
can’t completely prevent them, but you can reduce risk or slow
progression by wear UV‑blocking sunglasses and a hat outdoors, quit smoking,
make sure your diabetes is under control and have regular eye exams.
Good post Jo-Anne. I've had both my eyes done a few years back, then I had to have laser surgery on both the eyes - all ok now.
ReplyDeleteYeah dad had laser surgery done on his eyes
DeleteBoth eyes done many years ago with experimental lenses so I could see dive computers under water. They no longer use those lenses because .... well .... they don't work so well now! lol
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I would cope with eye surgery as I have a problem with anything to do with my eyes
DeleteI've only had to have cataracts removed from my left eye in 2018 and had the laser do "clean up" just last year. It makes such a huge difference in how I see. Blessings, Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't something I want to have to have done every but wouldn't be surprised if I do need it at some point
DeleteI have had cataract surgery. My eyes are okay but the doctor did me wrong. I was getting one for distance and one for close up. Then before the surgery he said "Since you already wear reading glasses I think you should do both for distance." I said no and he did it anyway. I was going to have it changed but I ended up with a couple of lung infections and we ran out of time before so we couldn't do it. I'm over it now but it was very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bastard, he should have done what you wanted
DeleteGot cataracts in my right eye removed and will have my left eye done this coming Monday. My goodness, it's like a miracle. I saw (no pun intended) my eye doctor yesterday and she told me my right eye is now 20-20. I have never driven a car without glasses. Now I do. I have needed glasses since I was 10. Now I don't. This is the only advantage to getting old. Now if the doctor could stop me from throwing out my back whenever I farted...
ReplyDelete