Once your vision becomes a little cloudy then your mind goes into a fog. Eyesight remains one of the most precious of senses, which deteriorates as we age. The most common being developing cataracts when it comes to restricted vision. So what are cataracts and how do they develop.
The word itself, cataract, is derived from the Latin word cataracta which means waterfall. The word is metaphorically adopted by the medical community for the blurry effect that it has on the eye, which distorts ones vision.
Cataract is when there’s clouding of the eye lens, this mostly due to the aging process. Other secondary instances includes repeated exposure to ultraviolet light and medical conditions such as diabetes.
It’s estimated that over half of the population who’s over 80 years old, will develop cataracts or have already developed them. Cataracts isn’t a condition where it can spread from eye to eye, but it can occur in one, either, or both eyes.
The Causes Of Cataracts
Cataracts are usually an age related development which can occur in a couple of ways.
Protein Clumping
One cause of cataracts is the clumping of protein which causes the clouding of the eye lens. This can occur once the natural lens proteins begins to denature itself because of aging.
Initially, you may not notice any significant difference when the cataract is developing, but once it begins to grow and spread, the eyesight begins to worsen.
Stronger prescription eyeglasses and stronger exterior lighting can usually help in coping with the condition. Surgery may eventually be needed.
The Aging Lens
With the aging process of the human lens, what it loses is its natural clarity, which can eventually turn into tints of brown or a yellow hue. As with the protein induced cataract, you may not initially be able to notice any discoloration or blurring vision.
But as time passes, the browns and the yellows will begin to persist, and activities such as reading or just everyday routine activities may become affected.
The difference when it comes to tinted cataracts and cloudiness is that the vision sharpness will not be reduced. Attempting to identify colors such as the blues and purples, however, may become difficult.
Know If You Have Cataracts
Cataracts will not usually show any signs until there’s partial development. There are a few common symptoms to look out for.
• Faded colors along with blurry vision
• Poor night vision where headlights or sunlight can appear too bright with a visible halo around the light source
• Temporary, double, or even multiple vision can occur which may clear up as the cataract begins to develop
• The frequent need to get stronger glasses or contact lenses
The Risk Of Cataracts: Should You Be Worried
It’s thought that those who indulge in excessive alcoholic activity, for instance, or those who have been exposed to extreme sunlight for long periods of time without proper protection, are at a greater risk of developing cataracts. Those with diabetics also face similar risks.
The Different Types Of Cataracts
• Congenital Cataracts – This in new born babies, which are extremely rare cases that can lead to new lens replacement
• Secondary Cataracts – Occurs as an after effect of having eye surgery such as glaucoma
• Traumatic Cataracts – This due to eye injuries. This however has extremely late onsets
The Treatment Of Cataracts
The early symptoms and detection of cataracts can usually be solved by prescription eyeglasses. But once everyday activities become affected as it begins to progress, surgery is usually the most effective cure.
Cataract Surgery
What cataract surgery involves is the surgical removal of the eye lens which has formed a cataract. Cataract extraction happens to be the most common of eye surgeries that’s performed, and generally considered one of the safest.
There’s no known way of reversing the damage which are caused by cataracts, other than the removal and the replacement of the lens with an artificial one, which can restore the patients vision.
Two of the most common procedures for cataract extraction are intracapsular cataract extraction ICCE, and extracapsular cataract extraction ECCE.
Both procedures are typically performed under local anesthetic, usually on an out-patient basis. So the patients of cataract surgery are free to go home the same day.
There’s also surgeons who implements the use of lasers along with other innovative technology to remove cataracts with minimal risk, or causing discomfort.
Although cataract removal surgery is considered relatively safe, there are a few known side effects such as bleeding, swelling, and irritation of the eye. The doctor will usually advise specific steps to be taken for the quickest recovery, which accelerates proper healing.
Nutrition And Cataracts
Nutritionists are continuously studying the role that one’s diet can play when it comes to the prevention or delay of cataracts. There’s research which supports a favorable link when taking certain antioxidants.
Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and vitamin E are thought to help in fighting harmful free radicals in the body, which are thought to be an accelerator for developing cataracts.
It’s found that those who took vitamin C supplements for more than a decade decreased the odds of developing and needing surgery by 45% percent. Vitamin A is also thought to play a role, as those with who had higher beta-carotene levels lowered their risk by 39% percent.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, which are naturally found in dark green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, are thought to be protective for better overall eyesight.
Trace minerals such as selenium and zinc are known to be essential for the proper functioning of anti-oxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, which is a mineral which doctors will prescribe for preventive eye care.