Cataracts
Cataract is a condition whereby the lens in the eye is clouded and thereby affecting normal vision. The lens is the clear part of the eye that you use to focus light or an image on the retina. The retina here being light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye.
On a normal eye, light passes through the lens to the retina then the light is changed to nerve signals sent to the brain. Thus, the lens must be clear for the retina to receive any light. In the case of cataract though, the lens is clogged and thus the image sent becomes blurry. In many cases, cataracts are age-related and common in older people.
Cataracts can occur in either one or both eyes. At least, it cannot spread from one eye to another. Other than aging, a cataract can occur in other ways which include:
-
Secondary cataract – can occur after a surgery meant to resolve other eye problems in people with health problems such as diabetes, or use of steroids.
-
Traumatic cataract – as a result of an eye injury
-
Congenital cataract – whereby babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood and often occur in both eyes. They are usually too small to affect vision. In case they do, their lenses may need to be removed.
-
Radiation cataract – cataract occur with certain exposure to radiation.
Symptoms Of Cataracts
-
Blurred, dim or clouded vision
-
Difficulty to see at night
-
Light and glare sensitivity
-
Fading or yellowing of colors
-
Double vision in a single eye
-
Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
-
Seeing halos around lights
Solutions For Persons With Low Vision Due To Cataracts
In the case that symptoms just began to appear, vision can be improved by getting new glasses, using strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting and use of visual aids.
We offer Low Vision rehabilitation for our patients whether their vision is partially sighted or blind. The rehabilitative services are designed to match the needs of the patient and include mobility training, psychological counseling, low vision instruction, and training.
Visual aids one can use may include specialty reading glasses, hand-held & stand magnifiers, microscopes, telescopes (hand-held, clip-on and bioptic), CCTV systems and computers software.
In severe cataract cases, where cataracts threaten to impair your vision and life normalcy and independence, cataract surgery is an option.
Generally, for cases of cataracts, it is also vital for patients to develop healthy living conditions such as quitting smoking, managing health problems and having a healthy diet inclusive of fruits and vegetables.