Cataracts what they are, the different types and any treatments and symptoms of Cataracts
Cataracts is a painless clouding (opacity) of the lens that covers the eye. This results in reduced vision or even blindness and can affect one or both of the eyes. In the Western World you are more likely to develop a Cataract as you get older in years possibly around a thrid of people over the age of 65 have the condition in one or even both eyes.
Where the clouding is located and the extent of it depends on the severity of the vision affected. Cataracts can be put into two categories:
Age Related cataract:
The clouding of the eye develops over a period of time. It happens during later years typically and can be caused by several factors:
- Cigarette smoke
- Diabetes
- Eye injuries
- UV light exposure
- X rays
- Inflammation of the coloured layer of the eye
- Some medications used to treat the body as a whole
Congenital cataract:
The clouding of the eye happens because of a genetic abnormality or specific infections early on in pregnancies. This needs to be treated early to prevent permanent damage and blindness.
Treatment:
The only way of treating cataracts is with surgery. This typically involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing with an artificial lens.
Glasses may help with initial onset but will only help vision, not help the condition itself and vision will continue to deteriorate.
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