Cataracts are degenerative changes in the structure of the eye that occur when lens proteins begin to clump together and cloud a small area of the eye. This cloud will continue to grow and affect vision. Cataracts may appear in one or both eyes. Although cataracts arise because of age, they can also occur as a result of eye trauma, certain medications, and various environmental factors and lifestyle habits. In addition, some cases of cataracts are congenital.
Cataract symptoms
Groups of proteins that cloud the eye reduce visual acuity in several ways. A person with cataracts may have blurred vision or may not be able to perceive bright colors at all their intensity. The lights may look too bright and with halos around them. Another symptom indicative of cataracts is double vision.
At first, the cataracts are very small, and they hardly alter vision. You will notice that your vision becomes a little blurry, as if you were looking through a piece of glass or appreciating an impressionist painting.
Because of the cataract, sunlight or a lamp may seem excessively bright or dazzling. You'll also notice that driving at night, headlights dazzle you more than ever before. Colors, on the other hand, will look less brighter.
The type of symptoms you experience and the length of time they appear depend exclusively on the type of cataract you have. At the onset of a nuclear cataract, you may notice a temporary improvement in your near vision, known as "secondary vision.
What causes cataracts?
he lenses inside the eye work much like a camera, focusing light on the retina for sharp vision. They also adjust the focus of the eye, allowing us to clearly see both distant and nearby objects.
The crystalline lens is composed mostly of water and proteins. The proteins are arranged very precisely and keep the lens free of irregularities, allowing light to pass through.
With age, some of the proteins may begin to form clusters so that a small area of the lens is clouded. This is known as a cataract, and over time it can grow and cloud more areas of the lens, making vision increasingly difficult.
It is not known with certainty why the lens of the eye changes with age, forming cataracts. However, researchers around the world have been able to identify factors that may cause cataracts or have some association with their development. In addition to advanced age, the risk factors for cataracts are:
- UV rays from sunlight or other sources
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Prolonged use of corticosteroid medication
- Statin component cholesterol-lowering medication
- History of eye inflammation or injury
- History of eye surgery
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Significant alcohol consumption
- High myopia
- Family history
One theory about cataract formation that has gained followers is that many are caused by oxidative changes in the lens. This theory is supported by nutrition studies that show that a diet of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants can help prevent certain types of cataracts (see below).
Cataract Prevention
Although the issue of the possibility of preventing cataracts is highly controversial, numerous studies suggest that certain nutrients or nutritional supplements may reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
A large scale study of 10-year-old female health professionals found that diets high in vitamin E, carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin from both foods and supplements are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing cataracts.
Sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach are a good source of vitamin E. Spinach, cabbage and leafy vegetables are recommended for the consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin.
Other studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of cataract
Another step you can take to reduce the risk of cataracts is to wear protective sunglasses, which block 100 percent of the sun's UV rays when you are outdoors.
When symptoms begin to appear, you can improve your vision for a while by wearing new glasses, powerful bifocals, proper lighting, or other visual aids.
Consider surgery only when your cataract has progressed far enough to seriously alter your vision and affect your daily life. Many people consider poor vision as an inevitable part of aging, and yet cataract surgery is a simple, virtually painless procedure that can restore vision.
Cataract surgery is very successful in vision recovery. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States. More than 3 million Americans operate annually, according to PBA.
Nine out of ten people who have cataract surgery recover their vision at a very good level, between 20/20 and 20/40. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the cloudy lens and in most cases replace it with a plastic intraocular lens (IOL).
New IOLs are constantly being developed to make surgery increasingly uncomplicated for surgeons, and the lens increasingly useful for patients. IOLs "correcting presbyopia" have the potential to allow vision recovery for all distances, not just one. Another new type of IOL blocks both ultraviolet and blue light, which according to research can damage the retina.
