Cataract is one of the most famous ophthalmic diseases. According to statistics, most often it affects the elderly. The most effective treatment for today is cataract removal. In old age, the consequences of surgical interventions are more difficult to experience. What is the situation with this in this case? How is the operation? Are there any alternative treatments? What is a cataract, how does it develop, can it be prevented by prevention? We will answer these and other questions further.
What is it?
Cataract eyes. What it is? This is the name of the opacification of the eye lens, which in our visual system is a natural lens that passes through itself and refracts light rays. Anatomically, the lens is located between the iris and the vitreous in the eyeball.
When a person is young, such a “lens” is transparent and elastic. The lens can easily change its shape, focusing on the subject to be seen. Therefore, a person due to this focusing ability can equally well see both close and far.
But with age, the state of the lens can be recognized as pathological. What it is? Cataracts of the eye are either partial or complete clouding of the lens. Because of this, only a part of the light rays penetrates deep into the eye. Visual function is impaired. A person sees the world around him fuzzy and blurry.
Over time, the disease only progresses: the lens becomes more cloudy, and a person is steadily losing sight. If cataract is not treated, it can turn into complete blindness.
Today, several forms of such a disease have been identified: congenital, traumatic, radiation, caused by certain diseases. However, most often it is senile, age-related cataracts that are most common.
Statistics data
According to medical statistics, cataracts most often affect people over 50 years old. Around the world, about 15 million people suffer from the disease. Most of them have crossed the age of 60.
According to WHO (World Health Organization), by 70-80 years of age, 460 out of 1,000 women and 260 out of 1,000 men suffer from this disease. As for people older than 80 years, cataract is diagnosed in every second. According to the same statistics, precisely because of this disease, 20 million people lost their sight.
Causes of the disease
There are several ways to remove cataracts in the world. And this is no coincidence, because the number of people suffering from the disease is very high today. But why is it developing?
The transparency of the lens is normally justified by its nature. It consists of water, mineral elements and proteins. It is nourished by intraocular moisture. Washing the lens, it saturates it with the necessary nutrients.
However, with age, various metabolic products begin to accumulate in the intraocular fluid. They have a toxic effect on the lens. His nutrition is disrupted, which is why over time he loses the necessary transparency.
However, this is only the main reason for turbidity. The nature of the disease may be different. Clouding can provoke both ophthalmic pathologies and diseases of other organs. In this case, there is reason to talk about complicated cataracts. In particular, it develops in the following conditions:
- Glaucoma.
- Myopia.
- Damage to the vascular network of the eye.
- Pigmentary dystrophy.
- Retinal disinsertion.
The following diseases can lead to the development of cataracts:
- Diabetes.
- Blood disease.
- Joint damage.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Skin diseases - psoriasis and eczema.
We need to learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment of cataracts. It is important to note that external factors can also provoke the disease:
- Improper nutrition.
- The lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. In particular, calcium and vitamin C.
- Harmful conditions of constant work.
- Exposure to ultraviolet or radioactive radiation.
- Smoking.
- Adverse environmental conditions.
The disease first affects one eye. Moreover, most often left. Progressing, spreads to both lenses.
Symptoms
The consequences of cataract removal in old age will be presented below. First, we will determine by what signs this disease can be distinguished. The name is ancient Greek. From this language it is translated as "waterfall."
And this is directly related to the symptoms of the disease. With cataracts, a person begins to see in a fog. As if through foggy glass or constantly pouring water. As the disease progresses, the intensity of such a “fog” increases. Stripes, spots and strokes flash before my eyes.
The patient may also note the following:
- Photophobia.
- Difficulties in writing, reading, working at a computer, sewing, working with small elements.
- Bifurcation of the image.
The development of cataracts is noticeable and externally. If you carefully examine the patient’s eye, you can see that his pupil is somewhat dim. With the advanced stage of the disease without additional devices, it is noticeable that the pupil completely turned white.
Stages of the disease
We consider the causes, symptoms and treatment of cataracts. As for the age form, this is a progressive disease. Accordingly, several stages of development pass:
- Initial. Here, clouding of the lens occurs at the periphery, outside the optical region. The patient at this stage does not notice any symptoms. Cataracts can only be recognized during an eye examination. Or at the annual medical commission.
- Immature At this stage, the clouding advances to the optical zone. Visual acuity noticeably worsens, which is already noted by the patient himself. In particular, he constantly sees fog in front of his eyes. This makes it difficult to engage in certain types of activities, as well as self-service. At this stage, cataract surgery with lens replacement is required.
- Mature cataract. Blurring captures the entire lens. Vision is reduced to such an extent that a person can only recognize light. The patient practically does not see anything even at arm's length, he only distinguishes the approximate contours of objects.
- Overripe cataract. At this stage, the substance of the lens is so diluted that it acquires a characteristic milky white hue. It is possible to make out only bright light directed directly into the eye. The condition is fraught with a number of complications. For example, secondary glaucoma due to compression of the enlarged lens of other tissues of the eye. Ligaments that hold the lens can also be involved in the dystrophic process. Ocular retinal macular degeneration may develop. If the ligaments break, this will lead to a dislocation of the lens into the vitreous cavity. In addition, the proteins of the degenerated lens can be perceived by the body as foreign. Hence the development of iridocyclitis.
Diagnostics
The development of cataracts may also be suspected by a general practitioner. However, he does not have the necessary equipment for research, on the basis of which this diagnosis can be made.
If you notice a nebula in front of your eyes, ghosting, constant flashes, flies, streaks, then you need to visit a qualified ophthalmologist as soon as possible. In some cases, the doctor diagnoses the disease during a visual examination with the necessary equipment. Sometimes you need to do the following:
- Ophthalmoscopy
- Biomicroscopy
- Visometry
Drug therapy
Cataract surgery with lens replacement is the main treatment for the disease today. In addition to it, there is the possibility of drug therapy. With one caveat, it is effective only at the initial stage, when the patient does not yet complain of a nebula before the eyes, when the optical zone of the lens is not yet affected.
Drugs are prescribed according to available indications by the attending ophthalmologist. Self-diagnosis here is fraught with complete blindness. The following eye drops are used:
- Quinax.
- Taufon.
- "Vita-Yodurol."
- Oftan-Katahrom.
All of the above drugs can slow down the progression of turbidity. But they cannot eliminate the existing one. Such drugs, by the way, are successfully used in the treatment of detachment of the eye retina.
As for the various bioadditives, bioenergy devices and complexes, their effectiveness has not been experimentally confirmed. Most often these are drugs, "tricks" that are offered for a lot of money. A method of enrichment in people who are afraid of surgery. Turning to such a "treatment", the patient only spends precious time, starts the disease. And this is fraught with complete blindness, which is already impossible to cure.
Surgical intervention
When we talk about the consequences of cataract removal in old age, we mean precisely the surgery to replace the lens. The official medical name for the procedure is phacoemulsification with implantation of an artificial posterior chamber intraocular lens. According to statistics, it is prescribed for 99% of patients who have been diagnosed with cataracts.
Laser cataract removal and its analogues have been used in Russia for more than 20 years. The most favorable treatment outcome is in patients with immature cataracts (in the second stage of the disease).
How does cataract removal go? The entire operation is performed under local anesthesia. Through a corneal incision, an ultrasonic tip 2.2 mm long is inserted into the patient's eye. They destroyed the clouded lens. An artificial mobile intraocular lens is placed in the lens capsule.
The duration of such an operation is no more than 20 minutes. Vision after cataract removal is restored quickly. Sometimes in the first day after the operation. Special drops are prescribed to the patient after cataract removal. They contribute to the speedy restoration of visual functions. The tool is used within 4 weeks after surgery. Therefore, after a month, the patient may return to his usual lifestyle.
A free cataract surgery is also possible today. Most often, it is prescribed to patients in the third or fourth stage of the disease. The operation here is carried out in a slightly different way: the entire lens is removed, and a rigid lens is implanted instead. It is either placed in the capsule of the lens, or hemmed to the iris of the eye.
In this case, the addition of a special continuous seam is additionally required. It is removed according to indications after 4-6 months. Here in the postoperative period when removing cataracts in old age, poor vision persists. This is due to postoperative reverse astigmatism. Visual functions return to normal in this case after removal of the suture. Here, a complication after cataract removal is the divergence of the postoperative wound. However, such cases are rare. In general, such manipulations with the lens go smoothly.
Today in Russia, the following main methods of cataract removal are distinguished:
- Laser seamless operation. This method is the most effective today. The operation is performed without incisions, performed in seconds. Its essence is in the removal of a clouded lens and implantation of an artificial lens.
- Ultrasonic phacoemulsification. Special equipment injects a mixture into the eye that softens a pathologically altered lens. Then, with a surgical instrument, it is destroyed and excreted. Next, a new artificial lens is introduced into the site of the removed lens.
- Extracapsular extraction. A surgical incision of the cornea is performed, through which the old lens is removed and its artificial alternative is placed.
Artificial lenses
Elderly patients are often scared by the fact that a foreign object will be implanted in the eye. But at the present stage of development of medicine, this should not cause concern - in its properties, the artificial lens is as close to natural as possible.
Depending on the condition of the patient, the recommendations of his treating ophthalmologist, the surgeon selects a certain type of intraocular lenses:
- With a yellow filter. This supplement protects the eye from exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays. And thereby hinders the development of other age-related ophthalmic diseases.
- Accommodation lens. Due to its design, this artificial lens allows you to achieve maximum visual acuity when looking into the distance and at the same time maintain the ability to see close without wearing glasses.
- Hydrophobic acrylic lenses. These artificial lenses have the highest degree of biocompatibility with the tissues of the eye. And this means that they easily adapt to any shape and size of the capsule bag (where the lens is placed). The lenses are perfectly centered, which allows the patient not only to restore their previous vision, but even improve it.
Rehabilitation
The lens replacement operation is one of the fastest. It is carried out in the "one day" mode, does not require hospitalization, even in relation to elderly patients. For each patient, the most optimal method of anesthesia is selected. Therefore, after surgical manipulation, a person needs only half an hour to rest, after which he can return to his previous life without restrictions.
What can not be done after cataract removal? The rehabilitation period does not imply serious restrictions. Patient care is not required. Indeed, most often normal vision returns to him a few hours after the operation.
During the recovery period, the patient needs to follow only these simple recommendations:
- Avoid bright light - go out into the street only in sunglasses.
- Try not to overheat. That is, do not attend saunas and baths.
- Refuse alcoholic beverages.
- Try not to lift weights - objects weighing more than 1.5 kg. After the rehabilitation period - a cargo weighing more than 10 kg.
- Avoid infectious diseases. In particular, from the flu.
The rehabilitation period lasts a month. After it, be sure to contact the ophthalmologist. According to the patient's condition, he already prescribes individual recommendations.
Complications
After such an operation, the human eye loses a very important element - the lens. The refractive properties of the vitreous, the intraocular fluid of the anterior chamber, and the cornea are not enough for clear vision. Therefore, in order to notice a complication in time after cataract removal, glasses, an artificial lens, vision in general, it is necessary to periodically check with an optometrist.
We have already noted that the most optimal variation in the treatment of the disease is the implantation of an artificial lens. But not in all cases it is realistic to apply because of possible complications:
- The pathological condition of the tissues of the eye or blood vessels that nourish this organ.
- Chronic recurrent eye diseases.
The above can minimize the effect of the operation performed.
With a mature and overripe stage of the disease, an enlarged lens begins to occupy a large area of the anterior chamber of the eye. Because of this, the outflow of intraocular fluid is disrupted. Why one of the serious complications of cataracts may occur is secondary glaucoma. In this case, vision may be permanently lost if the operation is not performed on time.
The consequences of cataract removal in old age can be associated with it? As for age restrictions, they are not. An operation to remove the lens was successfully performed for 100-year-old patients.
If the patient is diagnosed with diseases of the heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, this is also not an obstacle to the operation. Indeed, before surgery, a complete examination of the patient with the participation of an ophthalmologist, cardiologist, anesthesiologist takes place. Laboratory tests are also being conducted.
Reviews
If we turn to reviews about cataract removal in old age, we note that the majority of positive feedback is collected by a laser operation to replace the lens. However, patients note its comparative high cost in comparison with other methods. But this is the case when the waste is entirely justified.
Relatively normal vision returned to most patients after surgery. Someone was forced to wear glasses. But the authors of the reviews did not note the previous nebula in front of the eyes with an artificial lens.
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Prevention
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Cataracts are not a disease that can be managed on their own or using folk remedies. The need for medication or surgery can only be determined by a qualified specialist. As for taking medications, they are effective only at the initial stage of the disease. And not in all cases, their appointment can cancel the need for surgery.
Eye drops containing amino acids, vitamins and microelements necessary for the eye can only slow down the development of cataracts. They improve the metabolism (metabolism) in the tissues of the eye, supply it with the necessary nutrition. But it is impossible to cure cataract in this way. Which drops are suitable for the patient are determined by the ophthalmologist. The appointment of a dosage of funds, scheduling of treatment is also the prerogative of a specialist.