You eyes are being used every day for different reasons. From watching the television, looking at road signs, or reading a book, you need the eyes to finish your every day tasks and to know what’s happening around you. However, the proteins inside the lens of our eyes can start to clump together as we age, causing the lens to be cloudy. This is where a common condition known as cataracts start. Here are some factors that can put you at larger risks of getting a cataract:
- Taking steroid medications
- Exposure to radiation
- High blood sugar
- Cigarette smoking
- Excessive exposure to sunlight
You may not notice that you have cataracts right away, especially in the early stages since it has little effects on the vision. Gradually, you will begin to notice that things seem a little blurry than the usual, like you are looking at a cloudy glass. If not treated, this condition could affect your daily activities due to blurring of eyesight. It is advisable to ask your trusted physician about it to know whether you need to undergo cataract surgery or take medications.
To find out more about this eye condition or its risk factors, read on for more details:
Here are the different types of cataracts
Cataracts are classified based on how and where they develop in your eye. These types include:
Nuclear cataracts – this type of cataract starts in the middle of the lens. This is why the lens to turn brown or yellow in colour. Nuclear cataracts are usually age related. Its symptoms may take years before they start to manifest and affect one’s vision.
Cortical cataracts – cortical is a wedge-shaped cataract. They commonly form on the edges of the lens and then starts to spreads inward, making a star pattern. Posterior capsular cataracts are usually faster to form as compared to the other types of cataracts.
Congenital cataracts – dissimilar to other cataract types, this one is already present at birth. There are even instances when it forms during a child’s first year.
Secondary cataracts – these are cataracts cause by a disease or medication. The diseases that could reason the development of cataracts include glaucoma as well as diabetes. You may even acquire cataracts if you take steroid medications.
Traumatic cataracts – this cataract could develop if a person experienced injury in their eye.
Radiation cataracts – as the name suggests, this cataract can form after a person undergoes radiation treatment due to various health conditions.
The risks of undergoing cataract surgery:
Cataract surgery is the most commonly done elective surgery. It is comfortable and often results to good visuals. However, similar to any surgery done, there are bound to be complications or risks involved. These post-surgery risks include:
- Astigmatism – it is usually remedied by wearing an eyeglass or contact lenses.
- Retina or cornea swelling –swelling in your cornea or retina could result to blurry vision. The surgeon may advice you to take anti-inflammatory eye drops to lessen swelling.
- Eye infection –eye infection may lead to a condition known as endophthalmitis. It is very infrequent but it can lead to blindness.
Retinal detachment – after the cataract operation, there is a possibility that the person could have retinal detachment. When this happens, make sure to call or visit your surgeon to get immediate medical attention.
After the operation, your vision may still need around one to two months before it completely improves. Although the cataract has been removed, there is still a risk that your cloudy vision may return so make sure to regularly visit your surgeon for regular follow ups.
If you need more details about cataract surgery, visit Atlas Eye. They have the knowledge you need to answer your questions about cataracts.