7 things about cataracts
Cataracts is a disorder of vision characterized by the loss of transparency of the lens in the eye. The light rays pass less well in the retina and the vision becomes blurred for the person affected. People with cataract may feel like looking through a waterfall. The lens is indeed what allows our eye to “focus” to get a clear vision: the vision becomes blurred and blurred. Here are 7 things to know about cataract.
So today we are giving you information about this disease that affects more people than we think is one of the biggest causes of blindness in the world after macular degeneration and glaucoma. This information can help you better understand this vision disorder, whether you are affected or not, but also the risk factors that increase the chances of someone being affected by it.
1. Cataract is widespread
One thing to know about cataracts? It affects more than one in five people over the age of 65, and more than one in three over the age of 75. This is a problem that many of us may encounter during our lives. Getting to know this disease can be of use to all of us, whether this information is useful to us or helping one of our loved ones.
From the age of 85, two-thirds of people have a cataract. It is a vision disease that is generally late but affects a large part of the population. We, therefore, pay attention to certain signs such as hereditary factors but also exposure to the sun, and existing eye disorders. Cataracts can affect all of us. It is therefore important to know how to recognize your symptoms so that you can treat them.
2. Cataract is operable
Something positive to know about cataracts? It is an operable disease. When the cataract only begins to form, we usually do not resort to the operation. Indeed, vision disorders are minimal at the onset of the disease. Most sufferers postpone the operation for years and use it only when their vision problems are strong.
What is the operation of cataract? Well, it’s about removing the opaque lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Nine times out of ten, the operation is performed under local anesthesia if the patient is able to remain still and if he wishes. The operation lasts between 15 and 45 minutes. It is reimbursed 100% by the social security sector 1 (tariff agreement). It truly improves the quality of life of those affected.
3. It is a disease often related to age
Another thing to know about cataracts: it is very often related to age. Some diseases particularly affect the elderly. Cataract is one of them. Indeed, certain elements such as exposure to the sun during life or vision problems and hereditary factors have an effect on cataract and cause it. They are revealed most of the time after 50 years and do not necessarily have disabling effects as soon as they appear. It can take time.
4. There are several types of cataracts
One thing to know about cataract: it exists in four main forms. First, senile cataract is the common form of cataracts. It is related to the aging process that makes the lens harder and opaque. A secondary cataract is caused by other diseases such as diabetes, or by taking medications such as cortisone for example. Indeed, an illness and other treatment can increase the chances of someone having cataracts in the future.
A traumatic cataract occurs after an injury to the eye, damaging the lens. It may be a cut, a blow, a heat burn or a chemical burn. Finally, cataract in children is the last type of cataract that exists. It can manifest itself at birth and be linked to a congenital disease such as trisomy 21 or result from a disease present in the mother during pregnancy.
5. It is possible to reduce its risk factors
An important thing to know about cataracts: we can all reduce our risk factors. Indeed, some factors increase our risk of getting cataracts at some point in our lives. Most cataracts are related to age but not only. As said before, cataracts can be caused by radiation or exposure to the sun or even an eye injury. As a result, there are ways to protect yourself to reduce your risk of getting a cataract.
Cataracts can be related to sun exposure. UV rays can indeed damage the lens. Therefore, wearing sunglasses with UV protection is a good thing to achieve to reduce the effects of the sun on our vision and our eyes. Also, paying special attention to your eyes and eyesight: consulting an eye doctor on a regular basis, for example, may reduce the risk of getting a cataract.
6. Cataract is not formed in the eye but inside
There is a tendency to believe that cataract is an opaque layer that forms on the lens and therefore on the eye. However, a good thing to know about cataract is that it is not an outer layer that forms on the lens but the cataract that is self-reinforcing. One cannot feel a cataract to the touch, and it evolves for months or even years before one can really notice it and try to treat it.
It is important to understand this to understand the principle of the cataract surgery. It is not a matter of removing an external element to your eye but rather an element that is an integral part of it. By removing it, we must replace it with an artificial lens. The operation is not painful and does not last long, as said before.
7. Cataract may only affect one of the eyes
Another good thing to know about cataracts? It is a disease that can affect only one of the two eyes. This is not the most common case, but it can happen. Especially if you have suffered a trauma in one of the eyes, your risk is higher to contract a cataract for this eye than for the other. We always pay attention to risk factors that are not the same for both eyes.
Cataracts can also affect your vision in different ways. Some people suffer from vision problems only under certain conditions: driving at night, for example. The symptoms of cataracts differ for each person affected. There is not one type of cataract but rather a multitude of completely different cases.