Prevent Blindness, one of the oldest vision health and safety not-for-profit organisations, declared June as Cataract awareness month in order to spread awareness and educate everyone on symptoms, risk factors and treatment alternatives of the most common vision disease.
This June, make a pledge to educate at least one person about cataract. World Health Organisation informs us that this insidious vision defect is responsible for 51% of world population’s blindness.
Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye, which prevents or alters the passage of light entering your eyes. Cataract develops in both the eyes, not particularly at the same rate though. Cataracts affect individuals differently, developing quickly or gradually in some, or simply halting after a certain point with no further deterioration for the others.
Unlike the widespread opinion, aging is not the only cause of cataracts. In light of this, it is only fair to dedicate an entire month to educate and familiarise everyone regarding a disease that holds the title of being the leading cause of vision loss.
So this month, let’s clear some misconceptions and answer common questions regarding cataracts:
How to treat cataracts?
Cataracts are widely prevalent and hence are easy to treat. According to various glasses guides and ophthalmologists, when initial symptoms begin to surface, new glasses, magnification, appropriate lighting, stronger bifocals or other necessary visual aid may improve vision. For more advanced cases, the solution lies in cataract surgery. A surgeon, in the surgery, removes the deteriorated, cloudy lens and replaces it with a fabricated, artificial lens known as intraocular lens or IOL. It is one of the most common surgeries in the world today with around 10 million procedures performed each year. The surgery lasts for about 20 minutes and almost everyone can resume their daily activities soon.
How safe is it?
Cataract procedures are extremely safe and effective with a success rate of approximately 95%. A little incision will be made in the cornea for the surgeon to remove the clouded lense and insert the IOL (IntraOcular Lens). It's a fairly short procedure and is nothing to be worried about.
Whom does it affect?
Cataracts can happen to anyone. It is also known to affect adolescents and young children but doesn’t usually reveal the symptoms until the age of 40. Diseases (metabolic disorders or diabetes), heredity, prolonged smoking, overexposure to UV (Ultraviolet) rays or eye injuries/infections can lead to development of cataracts at an early age.
What can you do to prevent cataracts?
Although there is no verified way to stop age-related cataracts, simply abiding by a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy foods (plenty of fruits and vegetables), avoiding smoking, wearing protective eyewear to prevent eye injury and curtailing exposure to UV rays can help delay the onset of cataract.
Types of Cataract?
Age-related
Occurs after the age of 40 and make up for 95% of cataracts.
Congenital
Present at birth; possibly inherited.
Traumatic
Lens damage due to cut, puncture, a hard blow, chemical burn or intense heat.
Secondary
Diabetes, medicines, eye infections or other diseases cause these cataracts.
Radiation
Due to exposure to some radiations.
People affected by cataracts are increasing exponentially each year, therefore this June, let’s spread awareness about cataracts.