How can you tell you have a cataract?

Cataract, also called grey cataract, is one of the most widespread eye diseases. It affects people all over the world, regardless of whether it is a highly developed country or a third-world country. It most often manifests in people of retirement age, but it is increasingly seen in younger age groups as well. In this article you will learn:

• what the symptoms of cataract are
• which factors influence the development or accelerate the onset of cataract
• why there is no need to fear cataract surgery

No eye disease is a more frequent cause of blindness than cataract. The reasons for its development have still not been fully researched, but the fact is that doctors can diagnose it already at its onset. It is therefore very important not to neglect preventive examinations by an ophthalmologist.

You can notice some symptoms yourself

Cataract is a degenerative disease of the lens in which chemical changes cause it to become cloudy. In a healthy state the lens is clear; its clouding prevents light rays from passing to the retina and the pupil acquires a grey tint instead of the usual black. If you have been putting off an examination by an ophthalmologist until now, you should not delay your visit any longer if you have these symptoms:

• you have distorted vision of the observed object
• you are more sensitive to light/sunlight
• you experience reduced sharpness when looking at objects
• you have noticed that your perception of colours is changing
• you find that you see double, sometimes even triple
• shadows or dark spots appear to you, which you feel move together with the moving eye
• you have noticed a worsening of your short-sightedness

Age is not the only possible cause of cataract

In most cases cataract is caused by age. The eye naturally ages and the internal structure of the lens changes. The development of cataract may also be promoted by other factors:

• heredity
• injury or inflammation of the eye
• sex – cataract manifests more often in women
• unhealthy lifestyle
• excessive exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation
• a consequence of tumour, autoimmune or metabolic diseases
• cigarette smoke
• taking certain types of medication

Surgery (so far) the only option for removing cataract

Although scientists are trying to develop drugs that could effectively fight cataract, surgery is still the only way to remove cataract. The good news, however, is that the procedure is painless and covered by health insurance companies.

Cataract surgery is a completely common surgical procedure in specialised eye clinics, so there is no need to fear it at all. It is performed with a laser or ultrasound; a new, artificial lens is implanted in the eye in place of the defective lens. Thanks to the artificial lens you have peace of mind for the rest of your life, as it does not change with advancing age. Another advantage of such surgery is that the new lens can also solve the problem of short-sightedness or long-sightedness.
It is ideal to perform cataract surgery at its earliest possible stage. It always holds true that the sooner an eye defect is discovered, the sooner it can be removed. As eye problems are often the cause of various other health complaints, a typical example being headaches, you can prevent them with timely eye surgery. It is therefore really worth having regular preventive check-ups with your ophthalmologist.

Myth or truth?

Some of the claims about cataract surgery are myths, some were true only in the past. Thanks to modern eye surgery, cataract operations are much more effective than they used to be.

• I will spend several days in hospital – not true, the procedures are mostly performed on an outpatient basis.
• I will not be able to watch television – immediately after the operation you will return to normal life. You can watch television, but we recommend not overdoing it.
• After a while the cataract will come back – not true, the artificial lens will never become cloudy, it will last for the rest of your life.
• The operation may not help – the results of cataract operations are truly excellent. However, if the patient suffers from another eye disease in addition to cataract, the operation may not help. The most relevant answer to the question of whether to operate or not will be given by an ophthalmologist or an eye surgeon.
• I can cure cataract by changing my lifestyle – cataract can only be removed surgically. However, an appropriate lifestyle can act as prevention against its onset. Not to mention the positive significance for your whole organism.