What is Cataract Treatment?

Cataract is the world’s leading cause of blindness in people above the age of 50, although it is also seen in children mainly due to the intake of prescription medicine and hereditary circumstances. Cataract affects the lens in the eyes and most often than not, both eyes are affected at the same time. Cataract affects 18 million people worldwide but its effects can be delayed with proper eye treatment and if blindness occurs Cataract Treatment is available at Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center.

Cataract is the name of the disease that happens in the lens of the eye. The lens is made up of protiens and water. The lens is a clear part of the eye. As we age the protiens in the lens separates from the water and collects in sections distorting or blocking light and images from falling on the retina (the back part of the eye that transmits signals to the brain using the optic nerve).

Although Cataract is diagnosed mostly in the older population, it not uncommon amongst young children and babies.

* Age-related cataracts ? As people age, the lens in the eyes loses it strength and eventually a build up of protein clouds your vision.

* Congenital cataracts ? seen in babies and young children is a result of poor development, injury and infection before or after birth.

* Secondary cataracts ? is a symptom of other ailments like diabetes or the exposure or consumption to radiation, ultra violet light, harmful or toxic substances or is the side effect of prescription medication such as corticosteroids (steroids prescribed for inflammation, digestive problems and hormone replacement) or Diuretics (pills prescribed for high blood pressure)

* Traumatic cataracts ? as the name suggests is caused after direct injury to the eye.

There are three type of cataracts diagnosed in patients.

* Cortical Cataract affecting the outer part of the lens and gradually moving towards the center.

* Nuclear Cataract which begins in the center nucleus of the lens. When new cells form on the outter surface of the lens, the older ones are pushed to the centre which becomes the nucleus. In this type of cataract, the old cells are not able to retain their form, and hence the water and the protien separate.

* Subcapsular Cataracts is caused mainly by prescription medication and occurs at the back of the lens. Diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and hormorne replacement medical are all causes of this type of cataracts.

Prevention methods have not been fully understood yet, and as 18 million people are affected from cataract around the world, some scientific research claims that certain foods have either a positive or a negative effect on the disease. In one research it has been found that meat-eaters were more at risk of getting Cataract than people who included more fish and vegetables in their diet. Anti-Oxidents, certain vitamins like A, C, and E, zinc and regular eye exercise have been tested as preventive steps to delaying the onset of Cataracts.

There are some concerns when it come to patients who have previously had LASIK surgery done and require Cataract surgery as they age. These concerns are addressed by providing your Ophthalmologist, with all the information of your visual health prior to and after the LASIK surgery was done. The Ophthalmologist will evaluate each case individually and advise accordingly.