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Cataracts


Welcome to our in-depth guide on cataracts, a common eye disease that affects millions of people globally. We'll go into the causes, signs, and available treatments for cataracts here, giving you the information you need to make wise choices regarding the health of your eyes.

What Are Cataracts?


The clouding of the lens in the eye, known as a cataract, can cause blurred vision and, in the worst case scenario, blindness if treatment is not received. Over time, the normally clear lens becomes cloudy, preventing light from passing through and impairing vision clarity.



Causes of Cataracts


Cataracts are mostly caused by aging, however there are other factors that can also play a role in their development, such as:

Genetics:

  • There may be a hereditary component to cataract development if they occur in families.
  • UV Radiation: Extended exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or another source, raises the possibility of cataract development.
  • Medical Conditions: Obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are a few diseases that can hasten the development of cataracts.
  • Trauma or Injury: Cataracts can develop as a result of trauma or eye injuries.
  • Medications: The long-term use of certain drugs, like diuretics or corticosteroids, may raise the risk of cataract development.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Depending on how severe the condition is, cataract symptoms can vary, but common indications include:

  • Blurred Vision: Especially at night, vision can appear foggy, fuzzy, or dim, making it challenging to see clearly.
  • Sensitivity to Light: heightened awareness of light and glare, especially when driving in direct sunlight or at night.
  • Fading Colors: The ability to distinguish between shades may be affected by colors that appear faded or yellowed.
  • Double Vision: The presence of cataracts may be indicated by the perception of two or more images in one eye.
  • Regular Modifications to Eyeglass Prescription: The requirement for regular modifications to eyeglass prescriptions even in the absence of a discernible shift in vision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you stop cataracts from progressing?

1. CAN YOU STOP AGEING.
2. THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS TO SLOW DOWN

    1. HEALTHY DIET WITH VITAMINS AND ANTIOXIDANTS
    2. DISEASE FREE LIFESTYLE
    3. EXERCISE
    4. TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND DRUGS FREE LIFE.
3. BUT NOTHING CAN STOP CATARACT FROM PROGRESSING AS AGE CAN’T BE STOPS? NO.

Can we live with cataracts?

1. YES, BUT WE MIGHT HAVE HARD TIME DOING OUR ROUTINE DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES LIKE, WATCHING PHONE, TV, DRIVING, NIGHT VISION, AND MANY MORE.
2. BUT NOW YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. AS CATARACT SURGERY HAS BECOME VERY EASY FOR US ALL NOW.
3. NO MORE

    1. INJECTION
    2. BIG CUTS
    3. SUTURES
    4. PATCHING
    5. LONG RESTING PERIOD

What is main reason for cataracts?

1. AGEING
2. DM HTN
3. SICKNESS,
4. LONG TERM USE OF STEROIDS
5. TRAUMA
6. CONGENITAL

How does cataract affect life?

1. REDUCE IN VISION : HIT EVERY ACTIVE MOVEMENT OF LIFE.
2. GLARE AND HALOES MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE.
3. DULLNESS IN COLOUR CONTRACTS
4. REDUCED VISION IN LOW LIGHT CONDITION
5. FREQUENT CHANGE IN GLASSES.
6. IMPROVE IN NEAR VISION DUE TO DENSE CATARACT MAKING EYE MORE MYOPIC.
7. SOMETIME LOOSES CONFIDENCE AND EVENTUALLY ENERGY TO LIVE.

HOW SURGEON REMOVE CATARACT?

1. BY INSTILLING EYE DROPS YOUR EYE IS ANAESTHETISED.
2. THEN WITH RECENT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ULTRASONIC PHACO MACHINE GOES IN EYE THROUGH SMALL HOLE AND BREAKS CATARACT.
3. PIECES OF CATARACT ARE VACCUM OUT BY THE HOLE TUBE IN SAME MACHINE.
4. NEW LENS IS PLACED IN THE SAME BAG TO RESTORE THE VISION.

WHEN I SHOULD GET CATARACT OPERATED?

1. REDUCTION IN VISION EVEN ONE LINE IN CHART.
2. PROBLEM IN DOING DAILY CHORES.
3. INCREASE DENSITY OF NATURAL LENS MAKING IT HARDER THAN INOPERABLE FOR PHACO PROCEDURE.
4. NATURAL LENS PRESSING DRAINAGE CHANNELS OF EYE AND CAUSING RAISE IN IOP.

IS CATARACT SURGERY 100% SAFE?

1. IS DRIVING BIKE A 100% SAFE?
2. WITH ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY CATARACT SURGERY IS MADE VERY SAFE IN HAND OF AN EXPERIENCE DOCTORS.
3. THERE IS ALWAYS RISK INCLUDED <1%

    1. INFECTION
    2. BLURRING OF VISION
    3. RETINA DETACHMENT
    4. THERE IS ALSO VERY RARE CHANCE OF LOSS OF VISION BUT VERY VERY RARE 1/1000.

IS CATARACT SURGERY PAINFUL?

1. I AM DR. AVINASH DAVE ANAESTHESIOLOGIST.
2. SINCE INVENTION OF ANAESTHESIA IN October 16, 1846, BY DR. MORTON, THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE METHODS TO MAKE YOU PAIN FREE DURING ANY SURGERY.
3. FOR CATARACT SURGERY WE USE FOLLOWING LOCAL ANAESTHESIA METHODS.

    1. RETROBULBAR
    2. FACIAL
    3. PERIBULBAR
    4. TOPICAL
    4. BUT WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CATARACT SURGERY WILL BE PAIN FREE.

CAN I CRY AFTER CATARACT SURGERY?

1. YES CRYING IS PERFECTLY HARMLESS AS TEARS ARE NATURAL AND IT CARRIES MANY BENEFICIARY PROPERTIES.

    1. LUBRICATING
    2. GERMICIDLE
    3. SOOTHING
2. BUT WIPING WITH ANY CLOTHE OR UNSTERILE SUBSTANCES MAY INCREASE CHANCE OF INFECTION.

WHAT ARE TEST PERFORM BEFORE CATARACT SURGERY?

1. VISUAL ACUITY TEST: to check your vision.
2. SLIT LAMP BIOMICROSCOPY TEST: to see anterior part of eye.
3. KERATOMETRY: to know refractive power of cornea.
4. A SCAN BIOMETRY: to know axial length of eye
5. B SCAN SONOGRAPHY: to know water in eye is clear, and retina is on. Performed in mature cataract where it is unable to see fundus.
6. FUNDOSCOPY: to see retina and optic nerve.
7. BLOOD TEST/ URINE TEST

    1. CBC, RBS, HIV, HBsAg, URINE R/M

At what stage should cataracts be removed?

1. THERE IS NO PARTICULAR AGE CRITERIA FOR CATARACT SURGERY! BUT USUAL AGE RELATED CATARACT HAPPENS AROUND 50 ES. BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE OTHER CATARACTS WHICH CAN BE THRE AT ANY AGE.
2. INDICATION FOR CATARACT SURGERY ARE AS FOLLOW!

    1. BIGGEST OF IT IS REDUCED VISION.
    2. GLARE AND HALOES.
    3. HAMPERING DAILY CHORE.

Do cataracts grow fast?

1. USUALLY AGE RELATED CATARACT GROWS SLOWLY WITH AGE.
2. BUT THERE MULTIPLE TYPE OF CATARACT LIKE TRAUMATIC, INTUMESCENCE, POSTERIOR SUB - CAPSULAR AND OTHER THAT CAN GROW VERY FAST WITHIN DAYS OR WEEKS.

How to remove cataracts without surgery?

1. CATARACT CAN’T BE REMOVED WITHOUT SURGERY.
2. SINCE ERA OF MAHARSHI SUSHRUT IT IS KNOWN THAT CATARACT IS REMOVED WITH HELP OF SURGERY THERE IS GREAT EVOLUTION OF CATARACT SURGERY.

    1. SALAKYA TANTRA: COUNCHING WITH NEEDLE
    2. INTRACAPSULAR CATARACT SURGERY.
    3. EXTRACAPSULAR
    4. EXTRACAPSULAR WITH IOL
    5. PHACOEMULSIFICATION
    6. LAC