Clouding of the lens of the eye due to the accumulation of protein in it is called cataract in medicine. What is it, we will discuss in more detail in today's article, considering the causes of the disease and methods of treatment.
How the eye functions
Our organ of vision works like cameras: rays of light entering the eye pass through its cornea and the intraocular fluid located in the front of the eye and end up in the pupil acting as the lens. In it, the rays are refracted, passing through the lens and focusing on the retina lining the back of the organ of vision. From there, the image in the form of an impulse enters through the cells of the retina to the optic nerve and, finally, to the back of the brain, which is designed to process the signal, forming it as a “picture”.
In order to see what was clear, you need a completely transparent lens of the eye. Any violations in the form of its turbidity lead to blurry images, and in severe cases, the patient can distinguish only light and color.
According to the method of occurrence, cataract is divided into several types.
Age-related cataract: what is it
Among ophthalmic diseases, age-related cataract is recognized as the most common . Its main clinical manifestation is lens clouding (partial or complete).
This pathology affects half of people after the age of 75 and causes visual impairment and even loss of vision. It all depends on the localization of turbidity. With peripheral visual acuity does not suffer, but the closer the pathology moves to the center of the lens, the more serious the changes in vision in a person.
Congenital cataract: what is it
The laying of the lens occurs in the first weeks of fetal development. And if this process is violated for any reason, congenital cataract may develop.
Such problems, as a rule, arise in connection with a genetic predisposition, the use of alcohol by the mother, exposure to certain medications, viral infections (rubella, flu, chickenpox, etc.), the presence of diabetes mellitus in the pregnant woman, and other negative factors.
Diabetic cataract: what is it
In complicated diabetes mellitus, a diabetic cataract may develop. It is also characterized by clouding of the lens: either uniform or “flakes” - due to changes in the state of the lens caused by compounds that accumulate in it as a result of rising sugar levels. The patient, as a rule, feels a “cloudy glass” in front of his eyes, which prevents him from carrying out everyday activities.
Cataract treatment
Reviews of experts indicate that cataracts are a serious disease, but modern medicine has developed a methodology to combat it. This is a surgical intervention: implantation of an artificial lens, which is performed under local anesthesia and is well tolerated by patients of any age. But this is only necessary if the vision is not completely lost.
Cataract Prevention
Proven ways to prevent this disease do not exist. You can only adhere to some general principles: protect your eyesight, protecting your eyes from the sun with dark glasses or a wide-brimmed hat, do not smoke, limit alcohol consumption and monitor blood sugar.
Be healthy!