What is a cataract, why it occurs and what are the methods of treatment

On average, at the age of 65, up to 65% of people have cataracts of various degrees. Many people suffer from it, losing the ability to perform daily routine tasks. So is it worth delaying with lens replacement?
We at the "Eximer" Ophthalmological Center have a good understanding of cataract treatment, because we have been doing this for more than 25 years.

Why cataract occurs

The lens is a natural lens inside the eye that provides focus of vision at different distances. The lens consists of an outer shell - a capsule and an inner filling - proteins.

Opacity of lens proteins is called cataract. This is a natural process as a result of age-related changes in the body, but it can also occur under the influence of physical or chemical factors.

From the Greek language, the term "cataract" is translated as "waterfall", because a person sees everything as if through a wall of water or a film. With cataracts, the quality of life is greatly reduced, moreover, depression may develop, cognitive functions may deteriorate, and the risk of injury may increase.

So, with an untreated cataract, a person perceives much less information from the surrounding world, cannot read, engage in everyday activities, and in the advanced stage of the disease, even move. This is how her disability gradually occurs.

How to understand that you have cataracts

The first sign is when there is a fog when looking, which does not go away even if you wear glasses. Another important criterion is that you will see better at dusk than in the sun. In bright light, on the contrary, the quality of vision is greatly reduced.

Cataracts usually appear at an older age, so after the age of 50 it is necessary to undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist every year.

In young people, the development of cataracts is associated with toxic exposure. For example, in the treatment of systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the lens may become cloudy. Likewise, due to chemical factors, ionization, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. So the risk group includes steelworkers, specialists servicing radars, communication systems, etc.

Cataract treatment

It is necessary to remove the clouded lens, and in its place to implant an artificial transparent one, which will function throughout life and provide good vision.

All over the world, 99.9% of cataracts are removed using ultrasound. A special ultrasonic tip breaks up lens masses. After the operation, a transparent bag-capsule remains, which once contained cloudy proteins of the lens - cataractous masses. This is where the artificial lens is implanted.

There are several types of artificial lenses. Yes, monofocals provide good vision only in one range. For example, for reading at a distance of 30-40 centimeters, or working with a computer at a distance of 60-70 centimeters, or for driving or going to the cinema, where vision is required at a distance of one and a half meters. Other distances will need to be compensated with glasses.

Why is it so important to get rid of cataracts in time

Cataract removal in the initial stages makes it possible to predict the postoperative result and have a short rehabilitation period - hours or days. Doing this in the later stages is more difficult for the doctor and more traumatic for the eye: the rehabilitation period extends to weeks, sometimes months, and predicting the result is impossible.

The second no less valid argument is to remain an active person at any age. In today’s world, the quality of life is extremely important.