Cataract of the eye: causes of development, stages of the disease and ways of treatment

Cataract of the eye is a disease in which the crystalline lens becomes turbid, and as a result, visual disturbances of different levels occur. The development of this disease can be due to the presence of certain diseases (for example, diabetes), but most often it occurs under the influence of external factors, usually eye damage. Among the possible causes of the development of the disease is also called bad ecology, poisoning by many drugs of a toxic nature, as well as the effect of ultraviolet or radiation exposure. In 90% of cases, cataract develops as a result of natural aging of the body, because with age, the protein denaturation occurs, which is a part of the lens.

Unfortunately, the cataract of the eye is an irreversible disease, the conservative treatment of which is impossible. The only way out is surgical intervention, as a result of which the clouded lens is removed, and an artificial lens is inserted into its place.

This will help restore vision and improve the quality of life of the patient.

One type of disease is congenital cataract, which can be caused by metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, or infectious diseases, to which the mother organism was exposed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Treatment depends on the degree of complication of the disease: if it does not interfere with the natural development of the child's vision, surgery is not required. However, in the opposite case, when this violation interferes with the formation of central vision, the defect must be eliminated as quickly as possible.

When a person develops a cataract of the eye, the following symptoms appear:

1. Visual acuity decreases.
2. Sometimes there is an increase in myopia.
3. The patient can not clearly see the objects.
4. The pupil acquires a white, grayish or yellow hue.
5. Sensitivity to light decreases or rises.

As a rule, when passing the diagnosis, the severity and field of vision is determined, and the intraocular pressure is monitored. The doctor also applies electrophysiological and ultrasound examination of the retina and nerve. The results of the examination allow the doctor to prescribe medication or surgical treatment. Remember that conservative treatment does not eliminate the disease, but only allows to slow its development.

A disease that occurs very often in the elderly is the cataract of the eye. Treatment of it, as a rule, is carried out using ultrasonic phacoemulsification, which allows implanting the lens through a microcut. The first time such a technique was used more than thirty years ago. Today, it is used in 90% of all operations.

Remember that modern research has proven that the longer a patient hesitates with an operation, the longer the cataract ripens, the more difficult will be the subsequent treatment.

Cataract of the eye ripens from about 4 to 6 years (in 12% of patients). Approximately 15% of the sick population, it progresses slowly, within 10-15 years. In most people, about 70%, the development of the disease before the serious stage lasts from 6 to 10 years. But surgical intervention is still better to hold, without waiting for a complete loss of vision.

Many people mistakenly believe that cataracts are a film that forms on the outer surface of the eye. This error is due to the fact that the patient sees everything as if through a veil. However, the essence of the disease is much more serious and deeper, because the properties and character of the lens change. This is why cataracts are not treated with special diets or drops. They, as noted earlier, may slow the development of the disease a little, but not cure it.