A cataract is an eye disorder that affects the vision of a person suffering from it. Cataracts are formations of a dense and cloudy layer in the lens of the eyes. This layer obstructs the passage of light through the lens, resulting in unclear and blurred vision in the person affected by it.
The formation of cataracts happens when proteins in the eye accumulate at the lenses, preventing them from sending clear images to the retina (part of the eye that processes the things we see). The retina is responsible for sending signals to the brain through optic nerves to process vision as a response.
Cataracts develop slowly and generally affect people who are elderly. It is very important to treat cataract as it causes considerable visual impairment and can even lead to total blindness if left untreated. Do not worry, as cataract treatment is very easy with the most advanced cataract surgery treatment options. Treatment of cataracts with surgery can successfully return vision to a person.
This type of cataract forms in the center of the lens. It may at first result in more nearsightedness or cause a temporary improvement in your reading vision. But with time, the lens gradually hardens, becomes more densely yellow or brown and further clouds your vision. Advanced stages of eye lens yellowing or browning can make it difficult for you to identify the different shades of colour and require immediate medical attention.
This type of cataract usually affects the edges of the lens. Initially, you may notice whitish, wedge-shaped opacities or streaks on the outer edge of the lens cortex. As it slowly progresses, the streaks begin to extend to the center and interfere with the light passing through the center of the lens.
This type of cataract tends to progress faster than the other two types. It starts as a small, opaque area near the back of the lens, right in the path of light. The cataract often interferes with your reading vision, on exposure to bright light it reduces your vision and causes glare or halos around lights at night. Radiation cataracts may develop if a person undergoes radiation treatment for cancer and are often in the form of a posterior subcapsular cataract.
Oxidisation around the eyes caused by oxidative stress results in the formation of cataracts on the lenses of the eyes.
Ultra-violet rays can cause damage to the eyes and lead to the formation of cataracts on them.
Steroids can have a long-term effect on the eyes and using them for prolonged periods may cause the formation of cataracts.
Trauma to the eyes like the insertion of objects or blunt force can damage the lens and cause cataracts.
Radiation therapy for diseases like cancer may lead to the formation of cataracts.
People with uncontrolled diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts.
Cataracts blur your vision- that may appear like looking through a foggy glass.
The inability of the lens to let light pass through to the retina (due to cataracts) makes it very difficult to see properly at night.
The development of cataracts can also be indicated if you are viewing colours around you in a faded manner.
Viewing halos around lights and looking at lights in a blurry manner is a major indicator of cataracts.
An advanced stage of cataracts can also be indicated by a blurry vision that leads to viewing a single object as two(double vision).
If you wear glasses and are required to change the glasses frequently due to changing powers, then it is likely to be caused by a cataract.
Sensitivity to glare indicates loss of visual acuity to light, a major indicator of the development of cataracts.