Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye thing that can lead to vision loss. The lens is a clear structure in the eye that helps focus light on the retina. When the lens becomes cloudy, it can no longer do its job correctly, leading to blurry vision and even blindness.
Causes of Cataracts
The natural aging process most commonly causes cataracts. As we age, eyes undergo several changes that lead to cataracts. Other causes of cataracts include:
- Smoking
- Excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Certain medications
- Trauma to the eye
There is no one definitive cause, and they can develop in anyone at any age. However, the risk of developing cataracts increases with age.
How a Cataract Forms
The eye’s lens consists of millions of tiny cells arranged in a precise pattern. These cells work together to help the lens focus light on the retina. As we age, these cells can start to break down and clump together. This can lead to the development of a cataract.
How to Fix Cataracts
There are several different ways to fix cataracts, depending on their severity. In most cases, surgery is necessary to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens.
Glasses/ Contact Prescription
In its early stages, cataracts may only cause a slight decrease in vision. If this is the case, your doctor may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to help improve your vision.
Light Therapy
If a cataract is causing glare or sensitivity to light, your doctor may recommend light therapy. This involves using special glasses that filter out specific wavelengths of light.
Medication
If a cataract is causing your vision to decline, your doctor may prescribe medication to help improve your vision. This medication can help to clear the lens and improve vision.
Surgery
When a cataract has progressed to a more advanced stage, surgery is usually required to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. This surgery is typically performed in a hospital setting and requires a short recovery period. This surgery is the most common surgical procedure globally, and it has an extremely high success rate.
After surgery, most people experience a significant improvement in their vision. In some cases, however, they may recur after surgery. If this is the case, you may need to undergo another surgery.
Natural Remedies
There are no natural remedies for fixing cataracts, but there are various preventive measures that you can take to help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. These include:
- Wearing sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.
- Staying away from cigarettes and other tobacco products.
- Limiting your exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
- Controlling your blood sugar if you are diabetic.
- Taking medication prescribed.
- Regular eye check-ups.
- Eating a healthy diet that entails fruits and vegetables.
What Happens Without Removal?
When left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. This is because a cataract can eventually block all light from entering the eye. As a result, the retina can no longer function properly, and you may lose vision.
When to Consider Surgery?
It would be best if you talked to your eye doctor about whether surgery would be a viable option for you. The doctor will most likely recommend it if cataracts affect your vision to an extent.
Cataracts are a common eye condition that can cause blurry vision and even blindness. The common cause is the natural aging process, but it can also result from other factors such as smoking, diabetes, and exposure to UV rays. There are several different ways to fix them, depending on their severity.
If you feel that your symptoms are getting severe, feel free to contact us to discuss the best way forward for you.
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