Cataract - features of the course of the disease and effective treatment

The diagnosis of cataracts is one of the most common in recent times, voiced by ophthalmologists patients for 40. Many of them, writing off the pathology of vision rather for age changes, to a new entry in the card often are fairly indifferent. And in vain. After all, in this case it is a really serious disease, as a result of which the patient can lose sight forever. About what is cataract, the causes and symptoms of the disease and how to treat find out in this material.

What it is

Cataract is an eye disease in which the lens becomes clouded, which means that the clarity of vision decreases over time.Most often this disease is observed in people from the age of 40, although in recent years, the ailment has grown significantly younger due to the large strain on vision in modern man. It can develop independently, but is often accompanied by glaucoma.

There are several stages of this disease:

• Initial, at which the changes are insignificant;
• Immature, accompanied by damage to the optical zone;
• mature, at which the pupil closes the "film" completely;
• Overripe, at which the pupillary fibers are liquefied.

Unlike other diseases, cataracts do not pass independently. The patient, regardless of its form, needs qualified treatment. Only then can he cope with the given ailment.

Causes

A number of factors provoke the development of this disease. Especially among them it is necessary to note the following:

• heredity;
• diseases of the endocrine system;
• irradiation, exposure to radiation on the human body;
• toxic poisoning, although of varying severity;
• treatment with some drugs;
• mechanical damage to the eye;
• bad habits, including smoking;
• eye diseases: myopia of a high degree, as well as glaucoma;
• an environment that is environmentally unfriendly.

Types of cataracts

To promote the development of cataracts, but not to affect its manifestation directly can also low quality of life, poor nutrition, beriberi, increased eye strain.

Symptoms

The symptomatic picture of this disease depends little on the reason for which it arose, but is directly related to the stage of the disease on which a person currently resides:

• at the first stagethe development of the disease is marked exactly by the turbidity of the radial part of the lens, the optical zone here is not yet affected;
• On the seconddamage to the optical zone is observed, visual acuity is usually reduced;
• on thirdvision is reduced even more, almost to the level of light perception;
• on the fourththe vision can slightly improve, the lens itself spreads out (visually it looks like a cloudy spot appeared in the eye).

In all the stages of the disease, beginning with the second, a person experiences problems with reading, working at a computer, he does not see any small details near, or distant objects. There is an appearance of asterisks in the eyes, doubling, very much reduced performance.

Also often there is increased fatigue, headaches.

Even the appearance of the first symptoms, such as opacity of the lateral sectors of the eye, should cause a person acute anxiety. They indicate that you need to see a doctor urgently, not to mention those manifestations that are related to later stages.

Diagnostics

When symptoms of cataracts appear to the doctor, it is important to address as early as possible.The specialist will have to conduct a series of tests with the patient, including standard eye examinations, eye fund diagnosis, and slit lamp examination.The latter will not only determine the presence of the disease, even at an early stage, but also measure all the parameters necessary for the selection of the intraocular lens.

Complication of cataract retinal detachment

In addition, the doctor may order an examination from an endocrinologist or other specialist if there are suspicions of concomitant diseases.All this will give an opportunity to prepare the patient for the subsequent treatment and provide him with a good quality of life.

Treatment

Cataract, unfortunately, refers to those diseases that can not be cured medically.

Extracapsular surgery

Such a technique can only slow the progression of the disease, but it will not eliminate it. The only method that currently makes it possible to effectively combat this disease is the replacement of the damaged lens with a special artificial lens.

Previously, the technique that was used for such an operation was quite outdated, suggesting a large incision and, accordingly, overlapping the affected area.The cataract itself was cut out only at the stage when it was already "ripening". Today, all this is not necessary.

Phacoemulsification

Modern operation to remove the lens and install the lens is much easier, has a small rehabilitation period and involves the creation of a cut no more than 3 mm. It is called phacoemulsification.During it, the eye is treated with various kinds of special drops, then a small incision is made.Inside it pumped a special liquid, so as not to damage the tissues of the eye. The lens is then diluted, a lens is inserted into its place.The remains of a cataract-damaged lens along with a special liquid are pumped out of the eye.

Phacoemulsification

After such intervention, the patient is prescribed drug therapy aimed at the speedy restoration of the organs of vision.For some time he will be limited in working with small objects. Do not use the computer.However, in a few weeks he will be able to return to a full life.

The key to a successful operation is its timely conduct. That is why it is so important for a patient to consult a doctor before the first symptoms. In this case, he will be guaranteed high efficiency of treatment.

Complications

In the event that a person will for a long time ignore this disease, it will progress and eventually lead to a complete loss of vision.The fact is that in later terms, cataracts increase the pressure in the eye chamber, due to which the retina and optic nerve are affected. Secondary glaucoma develops. With further development of the disease, the optic nerve is destroyed.The consequences of this phenomenon are irreversible.

Iridocyclitis

Also, directly with cataract, especially in its last stages, there may be a violation of metabolic processes in the eye chamber (anterior).It can also provoke headaches, fatigue. You can remove symptoms only during surgical treatment.

All these complications are possible mainly at the last stages of the disease. Those who timely turn to his treatment, can avoid these unpleasant consequences with the highest degree of probability.

Prevention

To date, there is no method that allows a person to avoid cataracts with 100% probability.However, it is still possible to reduce its risks.In order to do this, you need:

• strictly comply with the standards for visual hygiene, it concerns and work at the computer;
• monitor diet;
• To perform gymnastics for the eyes, which will allow maintaining the vessels of this organ in a tonus and promote the normal course of metabolic processes;
• treat myopia and hyperopia, use eyesight correction, if any, were prescribed.

The most important element in the prevention of cataracts, however, is precisely the timely access to a specialist.

Visit the doctor at least 2 times a year, always contact him at the first complaints about eye problems, and then this disease will bypass you.

Video

conclusions

As you can see, although cataract is quite a serious disease, which has a number of dangerous accompanying complications, it is possible to fight it efficiently, nevertheless it is possible. And the main role here is played by timely diagnosis and surgical treatment. Only such measures will help you effectively, and most importantly - to safely overcome this ailment.