Cataract Awareness Month is celebrated in June. The awareness campaign promotes information about the eye condition that is leading cause of blindness, while this is scary fact, fret not because cataract are treatable with a single surgery procedure, which has a 95% success rate.
What is Cataract?
A cataract is a dense, clouding area that forms in the lens of the eye. A cataract begins when proteins in the eye form clumps that prevent the lens from sending clear image to the retina. The retina works by converting that light that comes through the lens into signals. It sends the signals to the optic nerve, which carries them to the brain. It develops slowly and eventually interferes with your vision. Cataract can affect both eyes but usually don't form at the same time, they are common in older people. However, survey conducted earlier showed that the prevalence of cataract blindness among people aged 50and above range between 2.1and 3.8% in Northern Nigeria.
Types of cataract: there are different types of cataract
. A subcapsular cataract which occurs at the back of the lens. It's common in diabetic patients
. Nuclear cataract which forms in the central area of the lens
.A cortical cataract starts in the periphery of the lens and works it's way to the centre in a spark like fashion.
Let's examine the causes of cataract. Naturally ageing is the commonest cause of cataract. yet, certain things make it more likely that a person will develop cataract.
Cataract can develop in people who have health problem like diabetes,
.it can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later
. some babies are born with cataract or develop them in childhood. These are usually due to maternal infections. It can also develop after exposure to some types of radiation.
Secondary cataract can form after surgery for other eye problems like glaucoma.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
Misty and cloudy sight. You may feel like your glasses are dirty and need cleaning even when they don't.
. Colours seem faded or look a little more washed out than they should be, double vision, sensitivity to light and glare headlights, lamps or sunlight may seem too bright. Another symptoms which is most common is night blindness. How can we prevent the development of cataract, Besides elderliness, these are risk factors for cataract. Control your blood sugar and blood pressure if you are diabetic or hypertensive.
. Wear appropriate eye wears to shield the eyes from ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources.
. Keep fit and maintain a healthy weight
.quit smoking.
. Reduce your alcohol consumption
. Finally eat more fruits that contains vitamin A. Examples of these fruits are carrots, mangoes and incorporate vegetables in your meals.
. The definitive treatment for cataracts is surgery with replacement of the lens using an artificial lens. The procedure is very safe and patients regain near perfect vision after procedures. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, see an eye doctor for an exam to find out for sure. Avoid self medication
Sources:
Medical experts and Wikipedia
Eating fruits that contains vitamins A is good for the health
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