A cataract comes about when your eye's lens starts to become cloudy. This cloudiness does not occur overnight but instead will become worse progressively. When you develop a cataract, the vision in the affected eye steadily turns blurry. And the longer the cataract goes undiagnosed and treated, the more your vision deteriorates, and it could even lead to loss of sight. Since cataracts are not painful, some people may ignore this problem under the assumption that their vision will correct itself. However, this is not true. The following article explores some of the frequently asked questions regarding cataracts and the subsequent surgery that is needed to eliminate them.
What symptoms indicate the development of a cataract?
As aforementioned, one of the stark signs of a developing cataract is your vision becoming blurry. Nonetheless, since this happens over time, you should be aware of other peripheral indicators that your eyesight might be at risk. One of the first red flags of a cataract is changes in how you perceive colours. Another symptom is when you become hypersensitive to bright light, for instance, when you are in the dark. Some patients may also start to notice that their regular contact lenses or spectacles are not working correctly.
Why would you get a cataract?
When cataracts start to form in your eye lens, it is due to an accumulation of protein. Resultantly, light cannot pass through the layer of coagulated protein. The causes of this problem are quite diverse. One of the common reasons why you may develop a cataract is due to ageing. Another reason why you can become afflicted with a cataract is due to a congenital disability. Nevertheless, these types of cataracts are present from infancy. The third reason for cataracts is secondary causes, such as when you develop a medical condition that leads to the protein build-up. Lastly, you could be at risk of a cataract if your eye has been exposed to direct trauma.
How are cataracts treated?
All cataracts must be removed surgically. However, you have two different options that you can consider. The first is manual surgical procedures where the optometrist will manually correct the condition. The second is laser cataract surgery where laser technology is utilised to eliminate the cataract. While a manual operation is minor and more affordable than its counterpart is, laser surgery offers benefits such as fast healing time and a reduced risk of complications.
Share12 October 2018
If you want to maintain your eye health, it is really important that you have regular check-ups with an optometrist. An optometrist will perform a number of different tests on your eyes. Because I didn't need glasses, I didn't think I had to go to an eye doctor. However, my wife suggested that I book an appointment for a check-up. I did so and I am so pleased I did. It turns out that I had a problem with my eyes which could cause blindness if left untreated. Thankfully, we caught it early enough so I am now fully recovered. I hope this blog helps you to look after your vision.