How To Get Rid Of Cataracts

How To Get Rid Of Cataracts

How To Get Rid Of Cataracts

The eye is a very wonderful organ, and how it works so you can see is equally marvelous. Inside your eyes are natural lenses that are made mostly of water and protein. The natural lens is found behind the iris (the colored part of your eye) in the pupil area. One of the lens' major functions is to focus light on the retina. The retina transforms the light into signals to the brain which then interprets it as vision. That is how you are able to see.

Sometimes, however, you develop certain health conditions that impede this process, leading to failing vision, or even blindness. Cataract is one of the most common example of these health conditions.

Clouded Visions

Cataract is simply the clouding of the eye's lens. Normally, the eyes' lenses cannot be seen by the naked eye unless they become extremely cloudy, a feature that is found in all cataract cases. People with cataracts often describes their vision as looking through a fogged glass—a result of the light passing through the lens being distorted and blocked. The main problem associated with cataracts is usually with regard to distance vision, as well as problems with glares. Normally, there is no pain or irritation involved.

Normally, cataract is the result of aging, affecting roughly 60% of all the people over the age of 60. They can occur rapidly, however. In fact, many people do not know that they're already suffering from cataracts simple because changes in their vision are gradual. In the earlier stages, prescription eyeglasses and stronger lighting can help you deal with the vision problems. As the condition progresses, however, and it starts to affect your normal lifestyle, then you might need to resort to surgery. The good news is that cataract surgeries are relatively common (about 1.5 million being performed in the US each year alone) and safe. It is a very effective solution, too.

Causes and Types

There are three layers on your eye's lens. The outer layer is called the capsule and it is a thin, clear membrane. The next layer is a soft, clear material called the cortex. The last layer is the nucleus, and it is the harder center of the lens.

As you grow older, the lens in your eye becomes less flexible and they thicken. The composition of the lens also changes and the structure of the protein fibers that makes the lens do its job starts to break down. Some of these fibers clump together, causing the small areas of the lens to cloud over. As the cataract progresses, the clouding becomes denser and starts to encroach on the other part of the lens. Also, a cataract can form in any part of the lens.

There are three types of cataracts:

Nuclear – A cataract that occurs in the center of the lens is called a nuclear cataract. With this kind of cataract, you may experience shortsightedness or even an improvement in your reading vision as your lens changes how it focuses light. However, this doesn't last long as the lend turns yellow, and even brown. People who have this type of cataract will have trouble seeing at dim lights and distinguishing between shades of blue and purple.

Cortical – If you see a whitish, wedge-shaped streak of the outer edge of your lens cortex, you might be suffering from cortical cataract. As the cataract grows, the streaks extend to the center and that is when people experience vision problems. Glare problems are usually what people suffering from this kind of cataract experience.

Subcapsular – People suffering from subcapsular cataract often have problems with their reading vision, reduced vision in bright lights, and have problems with glare or halos forming around bright lights. The cataract usually starts as a small, opaque part just under the capsule of the lens. It can usually be found at the back of the lens.

Getting Rid of Cataracts

If you think you're experiencing symptoms of cataract, then try the following tips:

Consult with an optometrist. First of all, make sure that you have yourself checked by a qualified optometrist. You can drastically slow down cataracts when treated at an early age. Your optometrist will also be able to tell you if what you really have is just cataract and not something far more serious.

Use a magnifying glass when reading. Don't strain your eyes more if you're having trouble with cataracts. Use magnifying glasses or prescription glasses to help you with reading or any activity that requires full use of vision.

Use proper prescription glasses. If you're using glasses or contact lenses, make sure that they're the correct prescription. The wrong ones can exacerbate your vision problem, and may even lead to serious injury. Seek the help of an optometrist for the correct ones.

Improve lighting. Improve lighting in your home or in places where you work. Use lamps that can accommodate halogen lights.

Limit your night driving. Night driving especially with an eye problem can be very dangerous. Limit your driving or, if possible, have someone do the driving for you.

The above tips are helpful for a while, but if your cataract worsens, then you will have to resort to cataract surgery. The surgery involves removing the clouded lens, and then replacing the lens with a clear implant. In cases where the lens are not replaced with an implant, vision is corrected through the use of glasses or contact lenses. The success rate of cataract surgery is 95%.

There is no diet, medication, or optical devices that can cure cataracts. It is advisable that when you get the first symptoms of the condition, consult with your optometrist right away. He or she will then be able to give you the best course of action to take in saving your precious eyesight.