cataracts
Cataracts
1. Causes of cataracts
As the lens is mostly made of water and protein, the protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as human age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. Over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens making it harder to see. However, some people are born with cataract. There some cataract risk factors include:
Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources
Diabetes
Hypertension
Obesity
Smoking
Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
Statin medicines used to reduce cholesterol
Previous eye injury or inflammation
Previous eye surgery
Hormone replacement therapy
Significant alcohol consumption
High myopia
Family history
2. Symptoms of the presence of cataracts
In early stage, cataract may not cause vision problems.
Some of the common signs associated with advanced cataracts include:
Blurred vision
Glare sensitivity
Distortion or double vision in the affected eye
A feeling of looking through a veil or curtain
3. Brief statistical analysis, including population group most likely to develop cataracts and the likelihood of Australians developing this disorder
Cataracts develop as a normal part of the aging process and are most common in people over 60. The prevalence of cataract rises from about 2.5 per cent for people in their 40s to 99 per cent of people in their 90s.
Almost half of people in their 90s have had cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed ophthalmic surgery in Australia and is becoming more common as people live longer.
4. Comparison of three different surgical procedures to treat cataracts
a) Phacoemulsification: is performed in less than 30 minutes and usually requires only minimal sedation. Numbing eye drops or an injection around the eye is used and in general, no stitches are used to close the wound, and often no eye patch is requires after surgery
1. Causes of cataracts
As the lens is mostly made of water and protein, the protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as human age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. Over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens making it harder to see. However, some people are born with cataract. There some cataract risk factors include:
Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources
Diabetes
Hypertension
Obesity
Smoking
Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
Statin medicines used to reduce cholesterol
Previous eye injury or inflammation
Previous eye surgery
Hormone replacement therapy
Significant alcohol consumption
High myopia
Family history
2. Symptoms of the presence of cataracts
In early stage, cataract may not cause vision problems.
Some of the common signs associated with advanced cataracts include:
Blurred vision
Glare sensitivity
Distortion or double vision in the affected eye
A feeling of looking through a veil or curtain
3. Brief statistical analysis, including population group most likely to develop cataracts and the likelihood of Australians developing this disorder
Cataracts develop as a normal part of the aging process and are most common in people over 60. The prevalence of cataract rises from about 2.5 per cent for people in their 40s to 99 per cent of people in their 90s.
Almost half of people in their 90s have had cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed ophthalmic surgery in Australia and is becoming more common as people live longer.
4. Comparison of three different surgical procedures to treat cataracts
a) Phacoemulsification: is performed in less than 30 minutes and usually requires only minimal sedation. Numbing eye drops or an injection around the eye is used and in general, no stitches are used to close the wound, and often no eye patch is requires after surgery