A cataract is a condition when the natural lens inside the eye gradually gets misty with age. Cataracts are usually progressive and naturally get worse over time. Eyesight will get worse over the time as the cataract progresses.
Even though age is the most accepted risk factor for cataracts some children are unfortunate enough to be born with cataracts and these are termed as Congenital Cataracts.
It is not entirely clear why we are more likely to develop cataracts as we get older but some factors may increase your risk of cataracts.
These include:
- Family history of cataracts
- Diabetes
- Eye injury
- Long term steroid use
Initially you may notice subtle changes in your vision such as difficulty with reading or reading captions on television. You may also experience more glare on bright days or when you are driving at night. It is not uncommon to be told you have “early cataracts or lens opacities” for many years before you notice any effect from them.
When your cataract starts to develop, you may feel your sight is changing or not as good as it once was. Some people describe it as looking through dirty spectacles lenses. You may also notice that colours appear less bright. You may suffer from glare especially at night.
Surgery is the only way to treat cataracts.
Cataract surgery involves replacing the cloudy lens inside your eye with an artificial clear lens. Cataract surgery is the most common operation performed in the world with a very high success rate in improving eyesight.
The procedure is fairly straight forward and usually takes 15-30 minutes. It is often carried out as day care surgery under Local/Topical anaesthesia and you should be able to go home on the same day. After cataract surgery you should be able to see things in focus again, minimal glare and have better colour vision.
Have questions or concerns about your eye health? Feel free to get in touch with our dedicated team of experts. We‘re here to help you see the world more clearly”. Contact Us on +91 872 598 7940.
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