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Cataract is an age-related condition characterized by
clouding of the lens in the eye. It is very common is older individuals and
can occur in only one eye or it may affect both eyes. It usually begins in a
small part of the lens with no effect on vision but as it progresses the
clouding enlarges and the lens become more blurred.
The lens is the part of the eye located behind the pupil. It functions to
focus light or image on the retina. It is normally clear so that the retina
can receive sharp images. If it becomes cloudy such as in cataract then the
images become blurred.
Cataract develop when the lens change to yellowish or brownish color, or
when clumps of protein cloud the lens causing the blurring of vision. The
condition progress slowly and the vision gradually worsens as the affected
part of the lens enlarges.
Symptoms include:
increased sensitivity to light
increased nearsightedness
blurry vision
distorted images
colors seem faded
seeing multiple images
frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
poor night vision
change in color of pupils
The risk of acquiring the condition increases if a person has a history of
serious eye injury, getting older, presence of systemic diseases like
diabetes, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, positive family history,
premature birth, and exposure to smoking and alcohol.
Not all cataracts need surgery. Some improve with a new pair of eyeglasses,
use of anti-glare eyeglasses, or a better lighting at home. If there is no
improvement with these measures and when vision loss interferes with daily
routine then a surgery can be done.
Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial lens. There can
be mild itching and irritability after the procedure but this improves after
sometime. There are very rare problems encountered after cataract removal.
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