Focus Area of Cataract
The lens of the eye is essential for clear vision. It is located behind the pupil and iris and is normally clear, However, they can become cloudy and dense. This is known as a cataract. Cataracts develops very slowly but are the most common cause of vision changes in people over forty and with time can seriously affect your vision and quality of life.
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. Cataracts are very common as you get older. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. But over time, cataracts can make your vision blurry, hazy, or less colorful. You may have trouble reading or doing other everyday activities. The good news is that surgery can get rid of cataracts. Cataract surgery is safe and corrects vision problems caused by cataracts.
What causes cataracts?
Certain risk factors make a person more likely to develop a cataract. These include:
- Advanced age
- Smoking
- Certain steroid medications
- Family History
- High blood pressure
- Radiation exposure
- High sunlight exposure
- Diabetes
- Eye injury
- Frequent eye infections
- Obesity
Different Types of Cataracts
- Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts.
- Cortical Cataracts
- Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts
Pediatric Cataract
Cataracts is often associated with older people, however, children too can have it. The name for cataracts in children is pediatric cataracts.As in the case of older people, cataracts in children clouds the lens of the eyes as a result of which the light does not reach the retina or is sacttered, resulting in blindness or blurry vision.
Tips & Info
Pediatric cataracts is matter of grave concern because children’s eyes unlike those of adults are still developing until they’re 8 or 10 years old. If untreated cataracts can have serious long-term effects on their vision. Cataracts can happen in one or both eyes. When both eyes have a cataract, one can be worse than the other. Cataracts may appear in different parts of the lens and range in size from tiny dots to dense clouds.
Injury to a child’s eye, Genetic factors Metabolic disorders like diabetes, Infections caught by the mother during pregnancy, Sometimes the cause of cataracts in a child is not known.
Acquired cataract(develop after birth), Congenital Cataract(present at birth)
Poor vision, Rapid uncontrolled eye movements(wobbling” eyes) known as nystagmus, Squint, A white or grey pupil, Difficulty in seeing clearly in bright light or if there’s any glare.
When children are very young, it can be difficult to spot signs of cataracts. It is recommended that babies’ eyes be examined within 72 hours of birth and again when they’re 6 to 8 weeks old as part of the health check up.Thereafter children should undergoes a routine examination until they turns three and a half years old.
Pediatric cataracts requires a long-term strategy.Treatment depends on the type and severity of the cataracts. But most children need surgery to remove them. Unlike adults with full-sized eyes, children need special surgical instruments and techniques. When performed by an experienced surgeon, cataract removal is generally safe.