Cataracts

The reason why I am blogging this is because of late, many of my friends' family members are having cataract surgeries done..and at the same time, I also noticed that some of them are not as old as I expected them to be. I used to think that only people over the age of 60 or so will be requiring cataract surgeries but these days, people as young as those in their 40s are also requiring them. So I decided to do a bit of research on it.

Oh, by the way, the costs of doing a laser surgery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is between RM3,000 to RM4,500 per eye, depending on the hospital selected and the cost does not include pre and post surgery visitations and medications.

I have found out that there is an eye formula which contains potent antioxidants to protect the tissues of the eyes, promotes blood flow to the eyes which then offers optimal nutrition support for healthy, normal eye function. No doubt this does not guarantee one against the possibility of ever developing cataracts, but if you could slow down the process or for those of us with family members who are diabetic, this option is clearly the best option to possibly prevent deteriorating vision or even blindness. Click here for more details.

Sources for the photos and information are from Wikipedia and eMedicineHealth's website

What is a Cataract

What are cataracts? Cataracts is the clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye and it varies in degree from slight to complete opacity, thus obstructing the passage of light into our eyes. Normally, early in the development of age-related cataract may cause the increase in the power of the lens, it may cause near-sightedness (myopia) and eventually the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and potentially blinding, if untreated.


Causes of Cataracts

The lens is made mostly of water and protein. Specific proteins within the lens are responsible for maintaining its clarity. Over many years, the structures of these lens proteins are altered, ultimately leading to a gradual clouding of the lens. Rarely, cataracts can present at birth or in early childhood as a result of hereditary enzyme defects, and severe trauma to the eye, eye surgery, or intraocular inflammation can also cause cataracts to occur earlier in life. Other factors that may lead to development of cataracts at an earlier age include excessive ultraviolet-light exposure,diabetes and smoking, or the use of certain medications, such as oral, topical, or inhaled steroids

Cataracts develop from a variety of other reasons as well, including long-term exposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation, secondary effects of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and advanced age, or trauma (possibly much earlier); they are usually a result of denaturation of lens protein. Genetic factors are often a cause of congenital cataracts and positive family history may also play a role in predisposing someone to cataracts at an earlier age, a phenomenon of "anticipation" in pre-senile cataracts. Cataracts may also be produced by eye injury or physical trauma.

Cataracts are also unusually common in persons exposed to infrared radiation. Exposure to microwave radiation can cause cataracts. Atopic or allergic conditions are also known to quicken the progression of cataracts, especially in children.

Cataracts may be partial or complete, stationary or progressive, hard or soft.

Cataracts symptoms

Having cataracts is often compared to looking through a foggy windshield of a car or through the dirty lens of a camera. Cataracts may cause a variety of complaints and visual changes, including blurred vision, difficulty with glare (often with bright sun or automobile headlights while driving at night), dulled color vision, increased nearsightedness accompanied by frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, and occasionally double vision in one eye. Some people notice a phenomenon called "second sight" in which one's reading vision improves as a result of their increased nearsightedness from swelling of the cataract. A change in glasses may help initially once vision begins to change from cataracts; however, as cataracts continue to progress and opacify, vision becomes cloudy and stronger glasses or contact lenses will no longer improve sight.

Cataracts are usually gradual and usually not painful or associated with any eye redness or other symptoms unless they become extremely advanced. Rapid and/or painful changes in vision are suspicious for other eye diseases and should be evaluated by an eye-care professional.

Prevention

At present, there is no real effective way to prevent the formation of cataracts, so secondary prevention involves controlling other eye diseases that can cause cataracts and minimizing exposure to factors that promote cataracts.

• Wearing sunglasses outside during the day might reduce your chances of developing cataracts or having problems with the retina. Some sunglasses can filter out UV light, reducing exposure to harmful UV radiation and might slow the progression of cataracts.
  
  
• Some people take vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts to decrease cataract formation. No scientific data prove that these remedies are effective. No topical or oral medications or supplements are proven to decrease the chance of developing cataracts.
  
  
• A healthy lifestyle might help, just as a healthy lifestyle helps prevent other diseases in the body. Eat a proper diet, get regular exercise and rest, and do not smoke.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, tight blood-sugar control can delay the otherwise accelerated development of cataracts.

Conclusion

• Early symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision, glare, and difficulty reading.
  
  
• Cataracts will affect most people and become more prominent as we age.
  
  
• Cataracts can be diagnosed when the doctor examines the eyes with specialized viewing instruments.
  
  
• The decision to proceed with surgery is primarily based on the amount of difficulty you have performing your daily activities.
  
  
• Treatment for cataracts is surgical removal of the cataract with implantation of an artificial lens.
  
  
• There are a variety of intraocular lens types that can restore vision in different ways.
  
  
• Cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to restore vision with serious complications occurring in less than one in 1,000 cases.