Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting millions of individuals, particularly in older populations.  According to the World Health Organization, cataracts account for nearly half of all global blindness making them the leading cause of treatable and preventable blindness.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil. This clouding leads to a decrease in vision, making everyday tasks, such as reading, driving, and recognizing faces, increasingly difficult.

Cataracts develop slowly and can affect one or both eyes, although they do not spread from one eye to the other. This article explores the causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and prevention strategies for cataracts in detail.

Here at Paris Optical Malaysia, we understand the importance of cataracts and how it affects our life. This is why, we always do a screening for cataracts for all our clients.

Anatomy of the Eye and Cataracts

The eye functions like a camera, where light enters through the cornea and passes through the pupil to the lens. The lens focuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is formed and sent to the brain.

The lens is normally clear and allows light to pass through without obstruction. However, a cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, scattering light and leading to blurred or dimmed vision.

The lens is composed primarily of water and proteins. As people age, the proteins can start to clump together, forming a cloudy area that impairs vision. The condition is usually painless but can lead to a progressive decline in vision.

Causes of Cataracts

Cataracts are primarily associated with aging, but several factors can contribute to their development. These include:

1. Aging: The most common cause of cataracts, age-related changes in the proteins of the lens make them lose their clarity, forming a cataract. This typically begins after the age of 40 and worsens with time.
2. Genetics: A family history of cataracts increases the likelihood of developing them. Some inherited conditions may cause cataracts to form earlier in life.
3. Trauma: Injury to the eye can lead to the development of cataracts, even years after the injury has occurred. Traumatic cataracts often occur as a result of physical damage to the lens.
4. Diabetes: People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing cataracts, possibly due to elevated blood sugar levels that can damage the eye’s lens.
5. Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can increase the risk of cataract formation, particularly when taken over long periods.
6. Excessive Sun Exposure: Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can accelerate the development of cataracts.
7. Other Health Conditions: Conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, and smoking are known risk factors for cataracts. Additionally, frequent alcohol consumption can also increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts typically develop slowly, and the symptoms can go unnoticed in the early stages. As the condition progresses, individuals may begin to experience the following signs:

• Blurred or Cloudy Vision: Objects may appear blurry or cloudy, and overall vision may become less sharp.
• Difficulty Seeing at Night: Cataracts cause light to scatter, making it harder to see in low-light conditions. Night driving becomes especially difficult due to glare from headlights.
• Faded Colors: Colors may appear less vibrant or washed out.
• Double Vision: People with cataracts may see double or overlapping images in one eye.
• Glare Sensitivity: Bright lights, such as those from headlights, street lamps, or the sun, may cause a halo effect around them, leading to discomfort.
• Frequent Changes in Eyeglass Prescription: As cataracts progress, a person may need frequent changes in their eyeglass prescription.

Diagnosis of Cataracts

To diagnose a cataract, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) performs a comprehensive eye exam. The exam includes:

1. Visual Acuity Test: This test measures how well a person can see at various distances. It helps assess the degree of vision loss caused by the cataract.
2. Slit-Lamp Examination: A slit lamp is a microscope that allows the doctor to examine the front part of the eye, including the lens, for signs of cataract formation.
3. Ophthalmoscope: Examination of the red reflex through the dilated pupil with the ophthalmoscope held about 30 cm away usually discloses subtle opacities

Treatment of Cataracts

Cataracts do not improve over time, and once vision begins to deteriorate significantly, surgery is the only effective treatment. The decision to undergo cataract surgery depends on how much the cataract is affecting the patient’s daily life.

Non-Surgical Treatments

In the early stages, if cataract symptoms are mild, the following approaches may help manage the condition:

• Updated Eyeglass Prescriptions: A new pair of glasses or contact lenses can help compensate for blurred vision caused by the cataract.
• Magnification Aids: Using magnifying glasses or special reading lights can assist individuals with blurry vision due to cataracts.

Cataract Surgery

When cataracts progress to the point where they significantly impair vision, surgery becomes necessary. Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed worldwide. The procedure involves the removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

1. Phacoemulsification: This is the most common method of cataract surgery. The surgeon uses a small incision to insert an ultrasound probe that breaks up the cloudy lens into tiny fragments, which are then removed. The IOL is implanted at the same time.
2. Extracapsular Cataract Extraction: In some cases, when the cataract is too dense, a larger incision is made, and the entire cloudy lens is removed in one piece. The IOL is then placed in the eye.

Cataract surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay. The recovery period is short, and most patients experience a significant improvement in their vision within a few days.

Prevention of Cataracts

While cataracts cannot always be prevented, certain lifestyle changes can reduce the risk or delay their onset:

1. Protect Your Eyes from UV Light: Wearing sunglasses with UV protection and a wide-brimmed hat can shield the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
2. Quit Smoking: Smoking accelerates the development of cataracts, so quitting can significantly reduce the risk.
3. Control Health Conditions: Managing diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions through proper diet, exercise, and medication can help reduce the risk of cataracts.
4. Healthy Diet: Eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, may help protect the eyes from cataracts.
5. Regular Eye Exams: Regular visits to the eye doctor can help detect cataracts early and allow for timely intervention if necessary.

Conclusion

Cataracts are a common condition, particularly among older individuals, but they can affect people of all ages. While the condition gradually impairs vision, cataract surgery offers an effective and safe solution for restoring sight.

By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options, individuals can take proactive steps to manage their eye health. Regular eye exams, a healthy lifestyle, and protecting the eyes from UV damage are key strategies for preventing cataracts and maintaining good vision throughout life.

Do drop by Paris Optical Malaysia, to get your eye health screening and we can help check for cataracts as well.