Cataract is a disease characterized by an alteration of the lens of the eye, which leads to a gradual loss of vision and can occur throughout life or shortly after birth, called congenital cataract.
The main cause of this disease is crystalline aging, so it is very common in the elderly, but can be caused by secondary factors, such as diabetes, indiscriminate use of eye drops or medications containing corticosteroids, stroke, eye infections and smoking.Cataracts are curable, but surgery should be performed at the time of diagnosis to avoid total visual impairment.
The main symptoms of cataracts are
These symptoms may appear together or separately, and must be evaluated by an ophthalmologist in order to make the diagnosis and be able to establish appropriate treatment.
The main cause of cataracts is the aging of the body, as the lens of the eye begins to thicken and the body is less able to nourish this organ, however, there are other causes, such as:
Depending on the cause, cataracts can be taken for granted or congenital, but congenital cataracts are very rare and usually appear in people with the same case in the family.
Surgery is the only alternative for cataracts and does not depend on the person’s age, but on the degree of visual impairment, and can be performed for both congenital and acquired cataracts.
Cataract surgery is performed by removing the lens from the eye, replacing it with an eye lens that reduces changes in vision.Surgery usually lasts about 30 minutes, causes no pain, and patients can resume activities over time.It’s done.
Congenital cataracts are a malformation of the lens during the baby’s development, which affects one or both eyes.Congenital cataracts can be suspected immediately after birth, even in the maternity ward, thanks to eye test.As soon as the diagnosis is made, it is important to perform surgery as soon as possible to avoid total visual impairment or other eye problems during growth.Learn more about congenital cataracts.