Cataracts are a condition in which blurriness develops in the eye lens that causes distorted or double vision. It can also lead to increased sensitivity towards light. Cataracts usually develop as a person grows older. If not treated on time, it may result in total blindness.
Cataracts can be of different types and can develop due to several reasons: old age, accidental injury, or some other diseases. Some people are born with cataracts, while in most cases, it grows later in life. Nowadays, there are various types of treatment available for cataracts, for example, Laser Surgery and custom lens. If you are suffering from cataracts and looking for a detailed and reliable source of information, you can find it here or cataract orange country.
Causes of Cataracts
In most cases, cataracts grow as people age, with the first signs appearing around the age of 50-60. Although the explanation for this is still unknown, many experts believe that it may be caused by a disruption in the lens’s fluids and nutrients.
Some of the following factors increase the risk of developing cataracts at a younger age.
- Diabetes: This may result in the development of a secondary cataract as a result of ultraviolet light exposure from sunlight.
- Drug Use: Long-term use of steroid tablets.
- Other Factors: Smoking, heavy drinking, and a family history of cataracts are all risk factors.
Treatment for Cataract
At Early Stage
Patients suffering from the initial stage of cataract will find that adjusting their lenses, wearing sunglasses to minimize glare, and reading under better lighting can help ease their symptoms.
Magnifying lenses may be used for performing detailed tasks which need close attention, for example, reading the fine print. Many cataracts are unobtrusive and produce fewer symptoms. In such cases, no surgical intervention is required.
Critical Cases
Although many patients who have mild symptoms of cataracts get relief through medicines, in some critical cases, surgical removal of the cloudy lens is the only option.
Even with glasses, if the patient loses the ability to perform everyday tasks such as reading, driving, or looking at computer or video screens, surgery may be recommended in the hopes of improving vision.
Pre-Op Procedures
Before surgery, measurements for the scale, shape, and strength of the eye lens should be taken so that the correct lens can be implanted. In most cataract procedures, a mono-focal intraocular lens is inserted, which has a fixed focus at a defined distance.
In general, after the surgery, a patient can see to a certain distance. In addition to mono-focal intraocular lenses, another form of lens commonly implanted is multifocal intraocular lenses. One should always discuss the benefits and dangers associated with using these lenses with ophthalmologists.
Traditional Cataract Surgery Vs. Laser Cataract Surgery
Traditional cataract surgery involves penetrating the front of the eye with a small blade and making a circular incision on the lens capsule with another tool to penetrate the cataract. The cataract is broken up into tiny fragments by ultrasound waves. After removing these tiny fragments, the cloudy natural lens is replaced with a new artificial lens.
On the other hand, Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (ReLACS) or Laser Cataract Surgery is an innovative method. The method utilises femtosecond laser technology to introduce better precision and accuracy to perform the basic steps required in this advanced cataract surgery. All these procedures were previously performed with hand-held instruments.
Final Note
It is possible that laser therapy would be more successful in the surgical removal of Cataracts. Lasers could be more effective at breaking up protein clumps on the surface of the cornea, making ReLACS a safer alternative to conventional treatments.
