If you are experiencing cataracts for the first time or know someone who is, then the news can be daunting. The clouding of vision can be a scary proposition that literally changes the way a victim sees the world. Fortunately, today there are many ways that cataracts can be treated and even erased. With proper care, a patient of cataracts can live a completely normal lifestyle and may even remain glasses free.
What is a Cataract? A cataract is a cloudy film that develops on the lens of the eye and makes it difficult for the retina to read light, which is an essential part in the brain’s ability to process images.
What Causes a Cataract? Generally, cataracts are simply a natural part of aging. While not everyone will get a cataract, they are not uncommon as a person reaches a certain point in life. Continuous exposure to direct sunlight, some medications, health problems, or eye injury can also cause cataracts even in younger individuals. Diabetes, for instance, is a large player in this and other eye related conditions. In rare instances, children may be born with cataracts present.
What to Do to Care for Cataracts Though surgical cataract procedures are a more frequent “go to” than ever for cataract patients – especially since the rise of other laser eye surgeries, such as LASEK– not everyone who is inflicted with the disorder wants to undergo the procedure right away and it is not uncommon for doctors to recommend living with them until they become overly problematic. So, if you are among these individuals or you know someone who is, then there are little steps you can take to prolong the pre-surgery time span. First and foremost, protect the eyes from direct light. As stated above, direct sunlight can cause cataract formation and it can also make it worse, so avoiding this with the use of sunglasses regularly and also directing indoor lighting away from the eyes can help maintain the condition immensely. While lighting should not be focused directly at the eye, it is also dangerous to operate in too low lighting. Reading or otherwise using the eyes in a dim or dark room is never recommended, but it should be avoided at all costs when diagnosed with cataracts. Maintain a healthy level of lighting and direct it away from the eyes. Furthermore, as the condition progresses, it is important to keep obstacles at a minimum, especially in paths that will be travelled in low light situations – such as the hall to the bathroom at night. If a person with cataracts works at a computer regularly, it is wise to take advantage of zooming features in order to enlarge script and photos to make it less taxing on the eyes. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to use speech software, which reads written documents aloud to the user.
Unfortunately, regardless of the care that is taken, in most cases cataracts will continue to worsen until vision is too badly disrupted to continue without surgery. Fortunately, this eye surgery is done so routinely in most ophthalmology center locations today that it is considered very safe and maintains very high success rates.
About the Author: Mark Masters has authored may pieces on the eye care & surgery industry and enjoys keeping his readers up to date in this field
