What is Cataract?
Cataract, in short, is the opacity of the eye lens, which is located behind the pupil and allows the person to see, losing its transparent structure. The lens of the eye is normally transparent. The lens, whose transparency gradually deteriorates, begins to look like stained glass. As a result, vision-related complaints occur. Cataracts lead to poor eyesight and cause the person's visual clarity to decrease. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes. Cataracts, which mostly develop in older people, can sometimes also be seen in young people. Although rare, it is also seen in some babies from birth.
When cataract progresses, objects appear blurry and cause problems such as eye fatigue and headaches. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in adults worldwide. In most cases, cataracts can be successfully treated and the previous quality of vision restored.
CATARACT TYPES
Cataracts may not cause any problems in the early stages. Blurring of vision affects only a small part of the lens. However, cataracts can grow larger over time and affect more of the lens. This makes it very difficult to see. If less light reaches the retina, it becomes harder to see. Vision may become increasingly dull and blurry. Cataracts do not spread from one eye to the other and do not affect each other. However, many people have cataracts in both eyes.
Cataract types are as follows:
Age-related cataracts: Most cataracts are related to aging. Most cataracts occur after age 60. Cataracts are common among older people. More than 50% of people aged 80 and over have cataracts.
Congenital cataracts: Some babies are born with cataracts. In most children, it usually develops in both eyes during childhood. Some congenital cataracts do not affect vision, but some do affect vision and require surgery.
Secondary cataract: Secondary cataracts are usually caused by another disease in the body (such as diabetes).
Traumatic cataract: Injury to one or both eyes can cause a traumatic cataract to develop. Cataracts may appear immediately after the accident or several years later.
WHO HAS CATARACT AND WHAT ARE THE REASONS?
Most people start getting cataracts around the age of 40. However, most people do not notice symptoms until age 60. The following conditions increase the likelihood of developing cataracts:
•To smoke
•Living in an area with bad air pollution
•Heavy alcohol use
•Having a family history of cataracts
•Diabetes
•Using corticosteroid drugs for a long time
•Exposure of eyes to the sun for a long time
Exposure to side effects of some radiation treatments
•When the risk of cataract is suspected, be sure to consult a doctor specialized in the field.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CATARACT?
Cataracts usually develop gradually and there may be no symptoms at first. It may affect only one eye or both eyes simultaneously. However, as the cataract grows, it can cause changes in vision. In cataract, the following symptoms may be noticed;
•Vision that is cloudy, hazy, foggy or filmy.
•Sensitivity to bright sunlight, lamps or headlights.
•Glare (seeing a halo around lights), especially when driving at night with oncoming headlights.
•Needing a prescription change in glasses, including sudden myopia.
•Double vision.
•Needing brighter light for reading.
•Difficulty seeing at night (poor night vision).
•Changes in the way you see color.
However, each person may experience symptoms differently.
Although there is concern about whether cataracts cause pain, cataracts generally do not cause pain, but symptoms such as sensitivity to light may cause discomfort. When cataracts progress, the pupil may appear gray or white.
In some people, cataracts can cause near vision to be better for a short time. However, as the cataract grows, vision is likely to worsen. Cataract symptoms may be similar to other eye conditions. An ophthalmologist should be consulted for diagnosis.
KATARAKT TEŞHİSİ NASIL YAPILIR?
Cataract occurs when the lens, which is normally transparent like glass, loses its transparency. It can also be referred to colloquially as putting a veil on the eyes. The diagnosis of cataract is made by biomicroscopic examination of the eye. Once a cataract begins to form, there is no medication to slow or stop it. Therefore, after the diagnosis of this disease is made, the only treatment method is surgery.
The following methods can also be used when diagnosing cataracts:
Visual acuity test: Common eye chart test that measures the ability to see at many distances.
Pupil dilation: The pupil is dilated with drops to allow close examination of the eye retina.
Additionally, other tests may be performed to help your eye doctor learn more about the health and structure of your eye.
CATARACT TREATMENT
If your cataract symptoms are mild, you may initially need a new glasses or contact lens prescription. Cataracts usually get worse over time. Eventually, your doctor will likely recommend surgery. You can make small changes to manage your cataracts in the initial stages. For example;
•Using brighter lights at home or work,
•Using anti-glare sunglasses,
•It may be good to use a magnifying glass for reading and other activities
It is useful to closely monitor how cataracts affect your vision quality. When your vision problem starts to get in the way of your daily routine (especially if it makes driving dangerous), it's time to talk to your doctor about surgery.
CATARACT SURGERY
Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries. It is also one of the safest and most effective. The surgery involves replacing the lens that is causing blurred vision with a new lens. If there are cataracts in both eyes, the change usually does not occur at the same time. Your ophthalmologist will recommend performing the surgery on each eye separately.
Some medications used for prostate problems in men may cause problems during cataract surgery. If you are going to have cataract surgery and are taking medications for prostate problems, be sure to inform your doctor about these medications.
There are several different types of cataract surgery. But what they all have in common is that the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The idea of having surgery on a sensitive point like the eye can make anyone uncomfortable. However, in this very common surgery, local anesthesia is used to numb your eye. Even though you are awake, no pain or suffering is felt.
Cataract surgery, which usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes, does not require hospitalization. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor will wait for the first eye to heal before operating on the second eye.
Small incision surgery: In this surgery, also called phacoemulsification, the surgeon makes a small incision in your cornea. A small device is placed in your eye that emits ultrasound waves that break up your cloudy lens. Then they remove the parts and insert the artificial lens. This method is generally used in cataract surgery.
Large incision surgery: It is not preferred very often for cataract surgery. It is usually recommended for larger cataracts that cause more vision problems than normal. Your problematic lens is removed in one piece and replaced with an artificial one. Recovery time is longer.
Femtosecond laser surgery: In this operation, a laser is used to break the lens and then a new lens is placed. This method can be performed more often if you also have astigmatism, a curve in your cornea that blurs your vision. Your surgeon can treat this problem by using laser to reshape your cornea during cataract surgery.
When the cloudy lens is replaced, cataracts will not form again in that eye. For most people, recovery after cataract surgery goes smoothly. How long recovery takes depends on what type of surgery you have. But overall, after a few days you will notice that your vision has become much better. After about a week or two, you can get back to doing whatever you enjoy. Cataract surgery is generally very successful in restoring vision.
The fact that cataract surgery is simple does not mean that this surgery can be performed easily everywhere. No matter how easy the surgery is, it must be performed by experienced eye surgeons in a hygienic operating room.
CAN CATARACT BE PREVENTED?
It is not known exactly what causes cataracts. But since diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma are common in older adults, it's important to have the eyes checked regularly. If there is a family history of eye problems or if you have been exposed to effects that may cause eye problems, it is useful to have regular eye examinations. Adults should see an ophthalmologist at least every 2 years until age 50 and annually thereafter.
If you have conditions such as diabetes that increase your risk of eye disease, you may need more frequent eye exams. Sunglasses and a hat should be used to keep the eyes away from intense sunlight.