Symptoms of cataracts in the early stages

Cataract is a very dangerous disease.It develops gradually, so a person may not immediately notice any problems with vision, and accordingly the trip to the ophthalmologist is delayed.Some time ago cataracts were considered a verdict. But now everything has changed, and thanks to modern methods of diagnosis and treatment it is possible to help a person cope with this ailment. To be prepared, you need to know what symptoms the cataract eye shows itself. This will help not to "overlook" the disease at an early stage.

What it is

Cataract is an irreversible process of changing the transparency of the lens.It becomes turbid, which leads to a deterioration in visual acuity.In ancient times, ancient Greek physicians believed that cataracts appear when between iris and lens, a turbid liquid flows and accumulates, so katarrháktes is translated as "waterfall".

Normally the lens is a transparent lens that passes through itself rays of light, focusing on the retina.

And with pathological changes leading to cataract, the water-soluble proteins of the lens become water-insoluble. This leads to swelling and inflammation of the lens.It loses its transparency, so the items become fuzzy and blurry.The changes that occur with vision in cataracts are irreversible.

Types of cataract:

• One-sided and two-sided;
• Primary, maturing and mature;
• Congenital and acquired (senile, traumatic, radiation, secondary);
• Front and back, nuclear and cortical, total.

Causes

Cataract eyes can develop for a variety of reasons. The main ones are:

1. Heredity.The disease can be transmitted from generation to generation, so it is important to know about the presence of cataracts from the next of kin.
2. Mechanical chemical injuries and injuries, concussion.These are the most common causes of cataract development.
3. The presence of bad habits.Tobacco and alcohol can cause a variety of diseases, including cataracts.
4. Metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins in the body, diabetes and disruption in the endocrine system.These problems cause a number of secondary diseases requiring complex treatment.
5. Poor environmental conditions in the place of residence, a high degree of radiation activity.
6. Effects of various chemicals and toxic substances.
7. Some medicines.

Cataract can be a complication of many other diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, hypertension and so on.

A large proportion of the likelihood of developing cataracts exists in those who are obese.

Symptoms

The first signs of the disease a person can notice.At an early stage, it is still possible to avoid lens replacement.

But if the pupil becomes lighter and the eyes quickly become tired, surgical intervention can not be avoided.

Symptoms of cataracts at an early stage:

• The objects are doubled before the eyes;
• It becomes difficult to read;
• A yellow shade appears near the objects;
• Appears flies and spots before the eyes;
• Objects become cloudy.

Symptoms of cataract

Other signs of progression of this disease:

• In the evening, photophobia appears;
• Items are surrounded by halos;
• Flies and spots appear even in the dark.

The early stage, when symptoms persist, but do not progress, can last up to fifteen years. Vision begins to decline at the stage of ripening cataracts.And the mature stage manifests itself as a loss of objective vision, but the light perception remains. Thus, cataracts can lead to a complete loss of vision.

Diagnostics

There are two types of cataract diagnosis:

1. Primary diagnosis.It is conducted for the diagnosis. If a person comes to a specialist on time, the early stage of the disease is diagnosed. Methods of primary diagnosis: external examination, the study of the general history of diseases, the identification of symptoms, physical examination of the lens.
2. Secondary diagnosis.It is prescribed in order to determine the state of cataracts. Secondary diagnostics can be done on a routine basis, or when the patient's condition worsens. Such diagnostics are required before the surgical operation.

In addition, standard and special methods are used to diagnose cataracts. The standard methods include: biomicroscopy (the use of a slit lamp), examination of the eyes and their fields, measurement of intraocular pressure and examination of the fundus. And the group of special methods includes ultrasound and densitometry.

Treatment

The main methods of cataract treatment are:

1. Conservative treatment;
2. Surgery.

Conservative

In the conservative treatment of cataracts, various drops are used.For their basis, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and so on are usually used.

Popular eye drops for cataracts:Quinaks, Vitayodourol.

Drops will not help cure cataracts, as clouding the lens is an irreversible process, but they can help slow the progression of the disease.

Another method of conservative cataract treatment is physiotherapy.For this purpose, various instruments are used, whose action is aimed at enhancing the metabolic processes in the eyes, increasing blood flow.Advantages of physiotherapy:there are practically no side effects and contraindications, a complex effect.

Surgery

The essence of surgical treatment is to remove the cloudy lens, which is replaced by an artificial lens.

Surgical methods:

• Extraction of cataract.At present, this method is practically not used. Extraction is a cystic surgery, in which an incision is made at the junction of the cornea and sclera in the size of ten to twelve millimeters. Through it, the lens is removed, and an implant is placed in its place. Then the seams are applied. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Rehabilitation lasts up to several weeks.
• Ultrasonic phacoemulsification.This method is considered the most effective. The essence of ultrasonic phacoemulsification lies in the fact that ultrasound effects the microscope through the lens. As a result, the lens turns into an emulsion, and it is removed from the eye. In its place, a flexible intraocular lens is installed. Inside the eyes are injected viscoelastics, which help the doctor to perform all manipulations, and also they protect the eyes during the operation. Phacoemulsification is performed under local anesthesia. After the operation, vision improves after a few hours, and as much as possible a person begins to see about a week later. This operation has no age restrictions.
• Laser treatment.Using a laser to treat cataracts allows you to open access to the internal structures of the eye. The laser allows you to perform very precise operations and get a good effect as a result. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about twenty minutes. The patient can see well after the operation, the maximum recovery of vision will occur in a few days.

Complications

Complications of cataracts can occur during or after surgery. Postoperative complications are early and late.After surgery, only 1% of patients may have complications.Early complications after surgery:

1. Inflammation (uveitis, iridocyclitis);
2. Hemorrhage;
3. Increased intraocular pressure;
4. Change in the position of the implanted lens;
5. Retinal detachment.

Late complications after surgery:

1. Edema of the macular (central) area of ​​the retina;
2. Secondary cataract.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of developing cataracts:

• Refuse to smoke and alcohol.
• Include in the diet of fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Limit the time spent in the open sun.
• Wear glasses with a special coating, which protects the eyes from ultraviolet radiation.
• Take drugs with lutein.
• Treat all ophthalmic diseases.
• Visit an ophthalmologist for prevention.

Preventive measures can not guarantee a 100% chance that cataracts do not arise. But such care of vision can help to keep eyesight for many years.

Video

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Why the vision falls, you will find the answer by clicking on the link.

Types, characteristics and spectacle lenses read in this article.

Detachment of the retina: http://eyesdocs.ru/zabolevaniya/otsloenie-setchatki/simptomy-priznaki-lechenie.html

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conclusions

Without proper cataract treatment, a person can completely lose sight. Therefore, you need to visit an ophthalmologist on a regular basis to detect the disease at an early stage. It should be remembered that the sooner a cataract is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be. And preventive measures will help maintain eye health and possibly prevent dangerous diseases.