WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CATARACT

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I have been away for a long time now. First, the strike was called off. Then I had to prepare for my final exam. And now, the holidays. It has been a very busy 3months. And now, I'm ready to continue from where I stopped. I really missed this community. Before I went away, we were learning about the eye. I'll be wrapping the eye up with this very interesting topic, CATARACT.

Cataract is clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. If you have a very good eye and want to have an idea of what these people go through, try looking through a frosty or fogged-up window, it is not pleasant at all.

Cataract_(28464844371).png
By NIH Image Gallery from Bethesda, Maryland, USA - Cataract, Public Domain, wikimedia common

Most Cataract develop slowly but progressively.
It is common in older people (typically 5th and 6th decade) and in Caucasians.
It can occur in both male and female.

The lens is normally a clear gelatinous structure enclosed by capsule, which allows light to pass through. It is composed of modified epithelial cells, which makes it unable to regenerate.
In cataract, there's denaturation and coagulation of lens protein which leads to clouding seen.

There are various causes/risk factors of cataract.
They include:

  1. Age related; which is the most common.
  2. Endocrine; Diabetes, Wilson's disease, Hypoparathyroidism, Malnutrition.
  3. Systemic; Atomic dermatitis, Myotonic dystrophy, Neurofibromatosis type 2, HIV/AIDS.
  4. Ocular disease; High myopia, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Chronic anterior uveitis, stickler syndrome.
  5. Medications; Glucocorticoids, Acetylcholinesterase.
  6. Trauma; Blunt/penetrating, UV radiation, Prior eye surgery.
  7. Substances; Alcohol use disorder, Smoking.
  8. Congenital; TORCH infection.

Cataract can be classified based on AGE, MORPHOLOGY and MATURITY.
Based on age: Congenital, infantile Juvenile, Pre-senile, senile
Based on Morphology: Capsular, subcapsular, Nuclear, Cortical, Lamellar.
Based on maturity: Immature, Mature, hypermature.

In order to manage properly, an adequate diagnosis must be made.
This starts from identifying their signs and symptoms such as

  1. Vision loss which could be painless, progressive and gradual.
    Eye_disease_simulation,_cataract.jpg
    By National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health - , Public Domain, wikimediacommon

  2. Glare which makes night time driving difficult.

  3. Colour perception

  4. Second sight phenomenon, such as increasing myopia

To aid diagnosis, an ophthalmoscope can be used to examine the eyes, however, slit lamp is best in making an appropriate diagnosis.

There is no medical treatment available.
The lens is removed surgically and an artificial lens can be used.

Cataract_Before_&_After_Cataract_Surgery.png
By wpotthoff - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
CATARACT BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY

Follow up is important as there could be build up of residual on the capsule, which can be managed using laser therapy.

Complications that could arise from this condition or its management include: ptosis, cornea oedema, wound leak, induced astigmatism, Chronic uveitis, capsule rupture e.t.c



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7 comments
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One of the eye disease that I fear most, it made the vision looks blurred

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