Seven things you need to know about Cataract

Cataract has been one of the most common problems since antiquity. Medically, it is an abnormal condition causing coagulation of 'humor' behind the iris which often leading to blurry vision. Being a prime cause of blindness for approximately 4000 years, it was first documented as early as 600 BC in India. Since then, advances in medical science have enabled surgical procedures to become far more sophisticated, especially in the United States. But ignorance can still be a contributing reason for the loss of your precious eyesight. National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates more than 50% of Americans have cataracts by the time they reach an age of 80 years. Though timely medical care is a crucial mitigating factor against cataract surgeries, it is also necessary to separate facts from fiction to ensure due precaution and timely vigilance. Following are the ten most commonly misunderstood facts about cataract and cataract surgery- 1. Precaution is better than cure- A general myth that prevails is that cataract is not preventable. Though cataract is typically a consequence of natural ageing which causes the lens of our eyes to lose its ability to change focus, it can be delayed and possibly prevented by ensuring precautions such as protective glasses against exposure to ultraviolet rays, ensuring timely and proper sleep, curbing excess alcohol consumption and so on. 2. It’s not ageing that causes cataract- Apart from ageing which remains the most common cause, cataracts are also caused by nutritional deficiencies (lack of minerals and vitamins), long-induced trauma on eyes, exposure to toxic chemicals or sunlight for a long time, radioactive contaminations, etc. Sometimes, a cataract can also be caused by a birth defect or metabolic deficiency. Thus, ensuring proper nutritive care could go a long way in preventing cataracts. 3. It’s not possible to cure cataract using eye drops/consuming supplements- There does not exist any known medical product that delays/cure cataracts. Though certain symptoms may diminish, lack of medical treatment for a long time can prove to be irreversible in causing damages to your eyes. Likewise, no supplements, herbs or any short-term solutions can cure cataract completely. Hence, consulting an ophthalmologist as soon as such symptoms accrue can be a vital determining factor in treating cataract. 4. Cataract surgery is simple and effective- Unlike the popular notion that cataract surgeries can often be dangerous leading to the loss of eyesight, it is one of the most recommended methods to cure cataracts. A surgery is also the safest bet, with almost certain results of success. The surgical procedure is remarkably simple- After preliminary tests to determine the right type of intraocular lens for cataract-ridden eyes, the affected part of eyes is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens. The entire process takes less than an hour and is almost painless. 5. Cataract does not ‘recur’- Unlike cancer cells, a cataract does not ‘grow’ inside the eyes but arises due to deterioration of lens’ cells. Hence, there is hardly any chance for its recurrence. However, a cataract may be separately developed in previously unaffected areas of eyes, which can be removed in the same manner as normal cataracts. Apart from these, in rare cases, it is also possible to develop an ‘after-cataract’ which can cause inflammation, double vision, infection or bleeding, but can be cured with prompt medical attention. 6. Cataract surgeries should be done as soon as symptoms arise- As opposed to a hard cataract arising due to delay, a softer cataract is easier and safer to remove. Cataract surgeries should therefore ideally be taken at the sign of earliest possible indication or warning and must not be postponed until it fully develops. Visual rehabilitation and time-bound prognosis in cataract extraction depend mostly on the density of cataracts. Ideally, if the evaluation of your sight indicates the ability to fixate on a fixed object, the doctor must keep the patient under close observation and record any changes. 7. Cataract surgeries do not take long to recover- As stated earlier, the procedure to cure cataract surgically is highly innocuous and quick and does not take more than an hour. Though post-surgery symptoms could include mild irritation, fluid discharge and slight discomfort, it does not last for more than 48 hours. To curb the risk of infection, your doctor may recommend eyedrops or sunglasses to accelerate healing process which is completed within few weeks after surgery. While new ways to treat cataracts such as advanced surgical procedures and laser treatments are being developed at a much faster pace, keeping these facts in mind could help reduce chances of contracting cataract to a great extent. In fact, roughly half of the surgeries could be prevented by delaying the onset of cataract by a span of ten years. Thus, being on alert and taking precautionary steps is the best possible treatment for curing cataracts.