Common Reasons for The Development of Cataract

What are the causes of Cataract? Well, there are many reasons for development of Cataract in a person. In this article, we have discussed some of the common factors with a brief explanation. Read about them so you can detect and prevent, if not, slow down the growth process of Cataract in your eye lens.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a cloudy patch formation in the lens of the eye. These spots normally become larger over time, resulting in blurry, foggy vision and can eventually cause blindness.

Our lenses are normally clear like glass while we’re young, which allows us to see through them with a perfect vision. They grow frosted and blurred like foggy bathroom glass or a fogged-up window, as we become older, and they begin to impair our vision.

Cataract typically affect both eyes. They might not appear at the same moment or in the same way in each eye.

They’re more common in older people and can impair your ability to perform regular tasks like driving, reading, watching television or looking up in the distance.

Cataract can harm babies and youngsters as well.

 

What are the Symptoms of Cataract?

A person dealing with a Cataract may begin to experience the following symptoms in either one or both eyes:

 

·         Blurred or dim vision

·         Light or Glare Sensitivity

·         Night Blindness

·         Double Vision

·         Frequent Eyepower changes

·         Fading or yellowing of colours

·         Need for more light for daily activities

·         Halos around light

At the beginning of the growth of a cataract in your eye lens, there might be a small development of the cloudy patch and you may be unaware of any vision changes. With time, the cataract grows and the blurry white patch may become larger covering most parts of your lens, causing a vision loss and distortion of light passing through the lens. In this stage, the symptoms may be more noticeable.

 

What are the Causes of Cataract?

There are many reasons for the development of cataract. The lens of your eyes has a similar working to that of a camera lens. Both of which allow us to view things up close and far away by changing the focus of the eye. The two major components that make up the majority of your eye are Water and proteins. Proteins remain in your eye as they break down and degrade steadily over time. These remaining proteins can fog your lenses making your vision a little blurry.

Researchers and health care experts from all over the world have discovered factors that may be connected to the development of cataract. Aside from getting older, there are a number of other causes that might speed up the development of cataract:

Diabetes: If left untreated, high blood sugar destroys blood vessels all over the body. This includes the blood vessels in the eyes, which are very small. When these blood vessels are affected by diabetes, there is a higher chance of the development of cataract and other eye disorders.

Side effects of certain drugs, steroids & medications: Some drugs and medications have been discovered to cause lens opacities and cataract, according to scientists. Other drugs have been discovered to increase the growth of pre-existing lens opacities. While we can’t totally avoid it, individuals who take steroid drugs on a regular basis can follow precautions by consulting an expert to prevent the risks of cataract to some extent.

Eye surgery or Eye infection: If you’ve had eye surgery before, it is possible for your eyes to be a little sensitive, and prone to infection. This can also lead to the development of cataract in your eye lens.

Ultraviolent radiation: You are causing huge damage to your eyes when not wearing eye protection or sunscreen in the sun. Always wear UV protection sunglasses and sunscreen on yourself to prevent any UV damage and stress to your eye lens.

Obesity: The cloudiness could be caused by poor nutrition or excessive blood sugar levels, which are prevalent in obese persons.

Smoking: Besides cataract, there are many harmful diseases that can develop inside your body if you’re smoking regularly. There are more than 4,000 toxic chemicals in a cigarette that can seriously affect your overall health including your eyesight.

Excess Alcohol Consumption: Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of damage to the eye cells, making them vulnerable to cataract.

Family History: If you have close relatives who have had cataract, your chances of getting them are higher than if you don’t have any family history.

 

What is the Treatment for Cataract?

If you can detect your cataract at an early stage then your doctor might give you a new prescription for your glasses to help you cope with it for a while. However, if your vision is getting in the way of your daily activities, you may need cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is, fortunately, a relatively safe and successful technique. According to the National Eye Institute, the surgical removal of cataract is a relatively common surgery that is extremely effective about 90% of the time.

It is recommended that you get the surgery as soon as you detect it in order to prevent any future complications of blindness. So, don’t wait for your cloudiness to grow, get your eyesight back now with an advanced, safe and quick cataract surgery by your health care expert.

Also Read: Cataract Surgery in Mumbai