Cataract
Cataracts
What is cataract?
A cataract is opacity that develops in the eye's envelope or in its crystalline lens. Derived from the word “cataracta” which is a Latin word for “waterfall” and “kataraktes” which means “to wash down” in Greek. The eye lens work like camera lens. The light is focused into the retina at the back of the eyes. The lens aids the focus of the eyes letting the eyes see clearly. The crystalline lens of the eyes is primarily made up of water and protein. The protein is naturally bonded together so that light may pass through. Cataract is formed when that bond changes and the molecules of protein are clump together. These clumps block the light entering the lens. As we age these clumps grow bigger and cloudier.
Researchers are not sure why the eye lens change as we age, thus forming cataracts. Although not common, cataract also occurs on young persons. These are sometimes caused by eye trauma, prescription drugs or chronic medical conditions. However they have identified some risk factors of which can cause cataract. These include the long-term exposure to ultraviolet light, secondary effects of diseases such as myotonic, dystrophy, diabetes and Wilson's disease. Fetal exposure to radiation, alcohol and abuse of substances during pregnancy contribute a high risk factor. Smoking is one of the major risk factor of cataract. Long term alcohol use leads to the development of cataract; this is because alcohol can lead to vitamin deficiency. Vitamin C and vitamin E deficiency are said to may have linked to the development of cataract. Eye infection also is a major risk. A tumor may cause changes that will often lead to cataract development.
Cataracts are categorized into three types because the eye lens consists of three components. These are the nucleus or the center lens, the lens cortex or the periphery, and the membrane that envelops the lens or the capsule.
Nuclear Cataract
The most common cataract found among older patients. This type of cataract develops in the nucleus. Nuclear cataract can take years to develop.
Cortical Cataract
This type of cataract forms in the peripheral area or the lens cortex area. Cortical cataract is common among patients who are diabetic. If left untreated it will sooner or later extend its spores into the center.
Subcapsular Cataract
Subcapsular cataract develops at the back of the lens area and sometimes in the center. Rapid symptoms can occur in just over month's period.
In the early stages of cataract, cataracts tend to interfere with the vision. Causing blurred or hazy vision, however this can be improved by using new glasses, magnification, adequate lighting, strong bifocals or any other visual aid. But if the symptom worsens, making it difficult to do daily activities such as driving, reading or working it may need to be surgically removed by your ophthalmologist.
More Articles
More Articles
... There is nothing to worry about. Cataracts are not a disease. Cataracts are a condition. A natural condition of the lens of the eyes as it age. If you look at your eyes and you see a cloudy, foggy and opaque appearance in you eyes or eye, you already have cataracts. Cataracts are the clouding of the natural ...
... It is because the light that passes through the eye s natural lens is block or scattered, thus keeping the retina from focusing. Early cataracts are usually cloudy and opaque. As the cataract matures it is denser making the retina receive less light which causes slow impairment of vision. With today s ...
... cataract surgery in Colorado now use state of the art equipments and the latest method in cataract surgery. Eye specialists now use an intraocular lens that folds out by themselves once place on the eye. This allows the patient to experience a much quicker surgery procedure and also lets the whole surgery ...
... ultrasound wave that breaks the cataracts. The debris is then suctioned out of the eye. This is the most commonly performed cataract treatment procedure. In the extracapsular procedure, a long incision is made on the cornea to remove the hard center of the lens in one piece while the rest of lens is then ...
... will gradually deteriorate. It will eventually affect the individual s ability to drive, read, sew or focus (almost all of the daily activities in the individual s everyday life). Most of these individual see halos around lights, lamps, etc. While in others it will affect their night vision by which is ...