Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

According to the World Health Organization, about 17 million people suffer from cataracts, mostly people aged 60 and over.In the 70-80 years, 260 men and 460 women out of 1000 men overtake cataract, and after 80 years this disease is observed almost in everyone. Also, statistics show that, due to cataracts, about 20 million people in the world have completely gone blind.To date, the diagnosis of cataract is officially established by more than 5 million Russians.

What it is?

Cataracts - one of the most common eye diseases among the elderly. The lens of the human eye is a "natural lens" that transmits and refracts light rays. It is located inside the eyeball between the iris and the vitreous body.

As long as a person is young, the lens of his eye is transparent, elastic, can easily change his shape, instantly bringing focus. Due to this lens mobility, the eye sees equally well both near and far. When cataracts complete or partial clouding of the lens, its transparency is lost, and only a part of the light rays enter the eye. The vision of a patient with cataract is reduced: he sees vaguely and blurry. Over the years, the disease progresses: the area of ​​turbidity increases, and the vision decreases even more.

If you do not take up the cataract treatment in time, it will lead to complete blindness.

Cataract can occur at any age. Allocate its following varieties:

• congenital;
• traumatic;
• complicated;
• beam;
• caused by common diseases of the body;
• age - related.

The most common is senile (age) cataract, which develops after 50 years.

Causes

The exact cause of the clouding of the lens has not yet been clarified. Scientists around the world are inclined to believe thatthe main cause of cataracts is the aging of the body. The older the person becomes, the lower the body's ability to resist toxins from the external environment.In addition, there are factors that contribute to the development of cataracts. Among them we can distinguish:

• diabetes;
• smoking;
• prolonged alcohol abuse;
• trauma to the eye;
• reception of corticosteroids;
• prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays on the eyeball;
• retinal disinsertion;
• myopia of high degree;
• acute iridocyclitis;
• chorioretinitis;
• Fuchs's syndrome;
• glaucoma;
• anemia;
• eye burns;
• Down syndrome;
• skin diseases (eczema, neurodermatitis, scleroderma);
• severe infections (typhus, smallpox, malaria, etc.);
• poisoning the body with toxic substances;
• hereditary factor.

These factors and diseases lead to a disruption in the metabolism of the lens and the development of cataracts.

A congenital cataract can arise on the background of the fact that during pregnancy the woman suffered serious infections, for example, rubella, toxoplasmosis, influenza.

It is also possible to exclude the influence of poor ecology, which can also cause cataracts.

Symptoms

The main manifestation of cataracts is a gradual deterioration of vision. In neglected cases, the lens completely becomes turbid, loses its transparency. As a result, a person will become blind.

Symptoms of the disease in patients may vary slightly depending on the localization of opacities.Ophthalmologists distinguish nuclear, cortical and subcapsular cataracts.There are four stages of cataract ripening:

1. initial;
2. immature;
3. mature;
4. overripe.

Symptoms of cataract:

• gradual deterioration of vision (both near and far);
• fogging;
• motion blur;
• decrease in brightness and contrast of colors;
• Occasional temporary visual improvement near;
• the appearance of blinding halos around bright light sources;
• white pupil.

Diagnostics

Determine the presence of cataracts can only the oculist.The main method of diagnosis is the examination of the fundus in good light. A more in-depth study is carried out by means of a slit lamp. Using this device, biomicroscopy of the eye is performed.This study allows the ophthalmologist to see all the details of the eyeball and to examine in detail not only the outer, but also deeply located tissue structures of the eye.

In addition to examining the fundus by a slit lamp, a study using an intraocular lens is also used.

This device allows you to assess the state of the natural lens of the eye and calculate the following parameters:

• the length of the eye;
• curvature of the cornea;
• depth of anterior chamber.

In addition to standard studies, diagnostics can also include special methods: densitometry, ultrasound, etc.

Treatment

Cataract - a disease is insidious, so treatment can not be shelved. It is known that about 20 million people in the world have lost sight precisely because of cataracts.

Medication

Drug therapy is prescribed at the initial stages of the disease.

The doctor usually prescribes eye drops containing vitamins PP, A, B, C, antioxidants, amino acids, cysteine, glutathione, ATP.

The most popular drugs:

• Quinax;
• Vitayodourol;
• Oftan-Katachrom.

However, the opacity of the lens is an irreversible process. Drops can not cure cataracts and restore the transparency of the lens, but can slow the progression of the disease.

Also at the initial stage of cataracts, the use of physiotherapeutic devices that activate metabolic processes in the anterior part of the eye and improve blood supply is effective.A huge advantage of such devices is a minimum of side effects and contraindications, complex impact, profitability for the patient (a person acquires a device and uses it). The most effective device to date are "Sidorenko glasses".

Surgical restoration of vision after cataract

Surgery

In most cases, for the treatment of cataracts, the eyes use a radical method of surgical intervention. Often, operations are performed on an outpatient basis and after a few hours the patient goes home.

Today, different methods of surgical cataract treatment are used.A few years ago, doctors mostly used intra-capsular cloud extraction.But this method has already gone down in history, as it is fraught with the development of complications and injuries for the patient. A more urgent method of surgical intervention is extracapsular cataract extraction, during which the complete removal of cloudy areas of the lens occurs.In this case, its capsule is preserved and replaced by a flexible or rigid intraocular lens.

An even more modern method is the removal of cloudy areas with the help of ultrasound. Then again, the intraocular lens is inserted. This method was called phacoemulsification. The procedure itself is performed 10 minutes under local anesthesia.

In the postoperative period, the patient performs home-based treatment with the help of these or those drops:

• antibacterial (Floksal, Oftaviks, Torbeks);
• anti-inflammatory (Diclof, Indocollir);
• hormonal (Maxidex, Oftandexamethasone);
• drops - replacements of tears (Oxial, Systein).

Laser treatment

Full cataract laser treatment does not exist yet.The laser is used only to automate some of the steps described above.With its help micro-cuts in the cornea and division of the lens into pieces are performed. Further manipulations to remove cataracts and implantation of the artificial lens are performed by the surgeon.

Complications

If a cataract is not treated in a timely manner, then it can lead to such complications as:

• Complete loss of vision (amaurosis).It is cataract that stands first among diseases that lead to absolute blindness. In this blindness is gradually coming on. If you start treatment on time, then the amaurosis can be avoided.
• Dislocation of the lens.This complication is due to the fact that there is a complete displacement of the lens and its separation from the binding ligament. Vision at this sharply worsens, and the lens itself must be removed and replaced with artificial lens.
• Faciolitic iridocyclitis.The disease is characterized by inflammation of the ciliary body and the iris. A person experiences severe pain in the eye and head, the vascular setochki becomes cyanotic or red, the pupil does not move well. In this case, the question arises of the removal of the lens.
• Phacogenic glaucoma.Complication is characterized by a secondary increase in pressure inside the eye because the lens is enlarged in size. After the removal of the lens, therapy is carried out to reduce the pressure.
• Obscuration amblyopia.This complication is the result of congenital cataract. Characterized by the fact that the retina, not receiving signals from the outside, atrophies and ceases to function. Treatment - only surgical.

To avoid such complications, you should contact the oculist at the first symptoms of vision loss. In this case, cataract can be diagnosed and cured in time without serious consequences.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there are no effective ways to prevent the development of cataracts today.Secondary prevention includes early diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases that can cause cataracts.In addition, it is necessary to minimize the impact of factors contributing to the development of the disease. What other measures should be taken?

1. Wear sunglasses with light filters that reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation.This can slow the progression of cataracts.
2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to minimize the risk of developing other diseases.Proper nutrition, physical activity, rest - a guarantee of health in general.
3. Eliminate bad habits.The most dangerous of them are smoking and alcohol. They should not have a place in life.
4. If you have diabetes, tightly control blood glucose levels to slow down the development of cataracts.

There is an opinion that taking vitamins, vital minerals and minerals reduces the likelihood of developing cataracts.However, for today there is no scientific evidence proving that these remedies are really effective. There are also no known local or oral medications or supplements that would prove effective in reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts.

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conclusions

So, cataract is a disease characterized by opacity of the lens of the eye, which must be treated early in development. You can not start a disease or hope for any national recipes. Cataract can be cured only surgically. But there are examples of how to treat cataracts without surgery. At the first symptoms, which are described above in the article, run to the doctor. The lost time can turn into a secondary cataract or complete blindness.