Cataracts are the most common eye disease, as a result of which a person may lose the ability to see. This pathology is quite insidious, since in the early stages it is very difficult to identify its symptoms. The causes of cataracts, treatment and prevention will be discussed in this article.
Lens of the eye
In shape, it resembles a biconvex lens with a flatter front and convex rear surface. It is capable of refracting and transmitting rays of light. The average size of the lens: in height up to 9, in thickness up to 5 mm.
With age, its thickness increases, albeit very slowly. The nucleus and the outer (cortical) layers around it make up the lens. Due to the protein substances included in its composition, it is normally transparent, while the baby is also elastic. It easily changes shape, instantly reacting to objects located both far and near.
Causes of Cataracts
Factors contributing to lens clouding:
- age-related changes;
- hypertension;
- diabetes;
- eye injuries;
- toxic poisoning;
- taking certain medications;
- exposure to direct sunlight for a long period;
- irradiation;
- smoking;
- heredity.
Cataract stages
There are several stages of the disease:
- Initial. There is a slight clouding, while most of the lens remains transparent.
- Ripening. Vision worsens, blurredness increases in size. In some cases, intraocular pressure rises.
- Mature. The individual completely loses the ability to see, can only distinguish silhouettes.
- Overripe. Symptoms of cataracts increase, the disease progresses, the lens fibers disintegrate, and it becomes milky.
Regular examination by an ophthalmologist and self-monitoring of your health will help to avoid the last, most advanced stage of the disease. Otherwise, the only way out is surgery.
The initial stage of cataract: symptoms and treatment
The first stage of the disease manifests itself as follows. Turbidity occurs due to the accumulation of intraocular fluid between the lens fibers in the cortical layers. A person does not even suspect that a pathological process has begun, since during this period his vision does not deteriorate. Such changes are barely noticeable, so it is quite difficult to identify the early symptoms of cataracts. This is due to the fact that turbidity has not yet spread to the optical zone of the lens, but is only on the periphery. However, if a person is attentive to his health, then he will pay attention to the following signs:
- decreased visual acuity;
- deterioration in visibility in the dark;
- decrease in color perception;
- there are flickering of dots or spots in front of the eyes;
- blurred vision, manifested by double objects.
Unfortunately, patients do not pay attention to the above symptoms. This stage can last for some decades, and for others from two to three years.
At this stage, drugs are prescribed in the form of solutions, eye drops, vitamin complexes, as well as a therapeutic diet. Patients are advised to abandon alcohol abuse, exclude smoking and lead a healthy lifestyle. Drug therapy can stop or slow down the development of the disease. In cases where conservative treatment does not bring results, and the disease progresses, it is possible to perform an operation to replace the lens. It can be prescribed before the transition of the disease to the last stage.
Maturing cataract
At this stage of cataracts of the eye, symptoms increase, turbidity spreads and occupy an increasingly large part of the cortical substance of the lens. However, the surface layers still retain transparency. Intraocular pressure rises due to the increased size of the lens, which fills the volume of the anterior chamber. This subsequently leads to the appearance of another disease called glaucoma. The pupil gradually closes with a clouding zone. The patient begins to see worse. Like the initial stage, this can last for years.
Stage of mature cataract of the eye: signs
Symptoms, and there are several of them, are as follows:
- the patient loses the ability to distinguish objects;
- sees only rays of light;
- can correctly determine where the light source is.
The lens loses water, decreases in size and takes on a shape resembling a star. The layers become cloudy, the pupil becomes a bright gray or milky white. In this case, surgical intervention is required, after which vision is restored.
Overripe Cataract
At this stage, the signs (symptoms) of cataracts increase, the lens fibers are completely destroyed. The core becomes dense and small in size, and sinks to the bottom of the camera. The cortical layer liquefies. If you do not conduct surgical treatment, only a small core will remain, and the capsule will be covered with yellowish-shiny cholesterol plaques. Or maybe the next option. Molecules of protein substances will break down, the lens substance will become liquid, and the osmotic pressure in the capsule will increase. It will resemble a cavity filled with a liquid, at the bottom of which lies a small core. It will gradually become soft and disintegrate. Through the capsule, the substance of the lens can enter the anterior chamber and then the individual will lose the ability to distinguish between colors and light. In this case, only one way out is the operation. However, vision will not be restored.
Signs of cataract in the adult population
If the clouding of the lens is not treated in the early stages, then soon the disease will begin to progress. Progressive cataracts have different symptoms, however, the main symptoms of cataract in adults are as follows:
- The lens increases quite quickly and the lens becomes cloudy.
- Significantly reduced visual acuity. Medical attention is required, as glasses will not be able to solve growing problems.
- Partial blindness sets in.
The above symptoms appear in the absence of timely treatment of the disease at the initial stage.
Congenital cataract
Symptoms of cataracts are clouding of the lens and, as a consequence, a decrease in visual acuity. In children, it is most often detected up to a year, however, it can also occur at a later age, after 40 years. Depending on the location of turbidity, several types of congenital cataract are distinguished:
- Layered. Located in the center of the lens. With this pathology, bilateral damage to the organ of vision develops, which significantly reduces its severity. This is one of the most common types of disease.
- Capsular. Symptoms of cataract in this case are manifested as follows. The lens is not damaged, but its posterior and anterior capsule suffers. The decrease in the degree of visual acuity depends on the shape and size of the turbidity, the range of which is from insignificant to its complete absence.
- Polar. In contrast to the previous species, in addition to capsules, the surface of the lens is also affected.
- Nuclear. In this case, the lens core suffers in both eyes. The individual may stop seeing.
- Complete. The lens is completely cloudy, there is no vision, only color perception remains in a person. This type of pathology is accompanied by other eye diseases.
Causes and signs of congenital cataract in children
Consider the symptoms and causes of cataracts in babies. Pathology is diagnosed by the following signs:
- eyeball trembling or strabismus;
- inflamed eyelids;
- on both or on one pupil turbidity is observed;
- the baby moves his eyes in different directions in random order;
- the inability to focus on objects (after two months of age);
- bends his head forward and begins to shake it;
- with the same eye constantly turns to look at a toy or other objects.
Regular preventive medical examinations of the baby will help to timely identify this ailment and take the necessary preventive and therapeutic measures.
There are several reasons that contribute to the development of this ailment:
- insufficient amount of folic acid and vitamins A and E in the body;
- the use by a pregnant woman of alcohol-containing drinks;
- poisoning with ether during the period of gestation of the baby;
- the birth of a premature baby;
- taking antibacterial or hormonal drugs during pregnancy;
- the presence of future syndrome of Low, Down syndrome and some other pathologies;
- infectious diseases transferred in the first trimester of pregnancy: rubella, chickenpox, herpes;
- the presence of a pregnant woman with diabetes mellitus or arterial hypertension;
- Rhesus conflict in the baby and parent;
- inflammation of the organs of vision in the process of fetal development.
Symptoms of congenital cataract in adults
Adult individuals should take care of their health if the following cataract symptoms appear:
- bifurcation of the contours of objects;
- it is difficult to distinguish between blue and red shades;
- unpleasant sensations in the eyes appear in a bright light;
- poor or lack of visibility in the dark;
- difficulties in performing work using small items, as well as when reading;
- the appearance before the eyes of small spots or they are also called flies.
In children and adults, cataract symptoms are different. The reasons for the development of this pathology are the same.
Congenital Cataract Treatment
When an illness is detected in children at an early stage, its development is stopped using therapeutic methods. In this case, the degree of damage and the impact on the visual system is of great importance. With a negative effect on the organs of vision, surgical intervention is recommended, which is performed at the age of 1.5–3 months. When diagnosing congenital cataracts in an adult at an early stage, drugs are prescribed in the form of drops containing a complex of vitamin substances. They will help stop or slow down its development. In more severe cases, the only method of therapy is surgery.
Preventive measures after surgical treatment
Cases of re-cataract after surgery are known.
To exclude it, preventive measures are recommended:
- eliminate bad habits;
- protect your eyes from the bright rays of the sun;
- include more vegetables and fruits in the diet;
- take vitamin complexes containing vitamins C, E and group B.
Cataract Prevention
The use of medicinal plant materials for the treatment and prevention of various ailments has been used for many centuries. Some tips and recipes, in addition to traditional medicine, are relevant at the present time. Let's take a closer look at cataract prevention measures (the symptoms and treatment of which were discussed above). For this purpose, it is recommended to include the following products in the diet:
- Carrots in any form: fresh, steamed, boiled, dried or dried.
- Bow. All types of onions: onions, leeks, shallots, batun and others.
- Chicken eggs
- Honey products in the absence of allergic reactions to them.
- Vegetable juices with one or more ingredients: cabbage or carrot, in which parsley herbs are added.
- Grains, best sprouted rye or wheat.
- Buckwheat flour.
- Fish. More useful from the depths of the sea.
- Tea. Quality green leafy.
All of the above products contain a sufficient amount of carotene, vitamins and other beneficial substances needed by the organs of vision. A properly selected diet is a good way to prevent and slow the development of this ailment.
Alternative recipes used to prevent cataracts
- A daily intake of at least one glass of ripe berries of delicious blueberries will be the best preventive measure. In winter, you can use frozen or steamed berries.
- Infusion prepared from: dandelion (leaves), bog calamus (rhizome), cornflower (flowers), fragrant rue (herb), blueberries (berries) strain. The resulting solution is instilled into the eyes. This recipe is especially effective in the initial stage of the disease.
- From St. John's wort and sage, taken in equal parts, prepare an infusion. Take courses (forty days) at least three times a day before meals, 70 ml.
- Compresses with dill seeds are made with clouding of the lens. Sew small bags of gauze or other material and pour the crushed seeds into them. Next, lower them for several minutes in boiling water. A solution that will drain to cool and instill in the eyes. And apply bags of seeds to the eyelids for 15–20 minutes.
- Mix equal amounts of fennel and coriander seeds. To the resulting mixture, add brown sugar in a small amount. Take ten grams in the morning and evening at a specific time.
Other recipes are known that your doctor may advise you for the prevention of cataracts. You have already become acquainted with the causes and symptoms of this ailment by reading the article. It should be remembered that in order to obtain a result, it is necessary to carry out the whole complex of measures, including therapy prescribed by a doctor, nutrition, herbs, gymnastics, massage. The daily implementation of simple actions will reliably protect you from the development of cataracts.