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Cataracts are painless and affect the lens of the eye, leading to progressive loss of vision. This is because the lens, which is a transparent structure that is located behind the pupil, works like a lens and is related to focus and reading. In cataracts, the lens becomes opaque and the eye appears to be whitish, reducing the vision that becomes blurry and causing increased sensitivity to light, for example.
The main cause of this disease is the aging of the lens and, therefore, it is very common in the elderly population, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as diabetes, indiscriminate use of eye drops or medications with corticosteroids, strokes, eye infection or smoking. Cataracts are curable, however surgery should be performed as soon as the diagnosis is made to avoid total vision impairment.
Main symptoms
The main characteristic of cataracts is the change in the color of the eye that becomes whitish, but other symptoms that may arise are:
Difficulty in seeing and perceiving images;
See distorted people with blurred and misshapen outlines;
See duplicate objects and people;
Blurry vision;
Sensation of seeing the light shining with more intensity and with the formation of halos or halos;
Increased sensitivity to light;
Difficulty in distinguishing colors well and identifying similar tones;
Frequent changes in the degree of glasses.
These symptoms can appear together or separately, and must be evaluated by an ophthalmologist in order to make the diagnosis and the appropriate treatment can be established.
Possible causes
The main cause of cataracts is natural aging, because the lens of the eye begins to become less transparent, less flexible and thicker and, in addition, the body is less able to nourish this organ.
However, there are other causes, such as:
Excessive radiation exposure: solar radiation or tanning booths and X-rays can interfere with the natural protection of the eyes and thus increase the risk of cataract development;
Blows to the eye: cataracts can occur after trauma to the eye such as blows or injuries with penetrating objects that can cause damage to the lens;
Diabetes: diabetes can cause changes in the eye, especially when blood glucose levels are above normal reference values. See other eye changes caused by diabetes;
Hypothyroidism: there may be an increase in lens opacity in people who have hypothyroidism and, although not very common, it may cause cataracts;
Infections and inflammatory processes: in this case, infections such as conjunctivitis and inflammatory conditions such as uveitis, can increase the risk of developing cataracts;
Crisis glaucoma, pathological myopia or previous eye surgery: both glaucoma itself and its treatment can lead to the appearance of cataracts, as well as pathological myopia or eye surgery;
Excessive use of medicines: the prolonged use of drugs without a prescription, especially eye drops that contain corticosteroids, can lead to the appearance of cataracts. Know what other remedies can cause cataracts;
Fetal malformations: some genetic mutations can lead to abnormalities in eye genes, compromising their structure, which can cause cataracts.
Some other factors can increase the risk of developing cataracts such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, family history of cataracts, high blood pressure and obesity, for example.
Depending on the cause, cataracts can be considered acquired or congenital, but congenital ones are very rare and usually arise when there are other cases in the family.
Types of cataracts
Cataracts can be divided into several types according to their cause. It is important to consult your eye doctor to identify the type of cataract and make the most appropriate treatment.
1. Senile cataract
Senile cataracts are age-related, usually appear after the age of 50 and occur through the body's natural aging process.
There are 3 types of senile cataracts:
Nuclear cataract: is formed in the center of the lens, giving the eye a whitish appearance;
Cortical cataract: occurs in the lateral regions of the lens and generally does not interfere with central vision;
Posterior subcapsular cataract: this type of cataract appears under the capsule that surrounds the lens at the back and is usually associated with diabetes or the use of medications such as corticosteroids.
2. Congenital cataracts
Congenital cataracts correspond to a malformation of the lens during the baby's development, which may affect one or both eyes and can be identified soon after birth, still in the maternity ward, through the eye test. Once the diagnosis is made, it is important to perform the surgery as soon as possible to avoid total vision impairment or other eye problems during growth.
The causes of congenital cataracts can be genetic or due to malformations in the fetal lens during pregnancy, in addition to metabolic diseases such as galactosemia, infections like rubella, use of medications such as corticosteroids or malnutrition during pregnancy, for example.
Learn more about congenital cataracts.
3. Traumatic cataract
Traumatic cataracts can occur in anyone due to an accident, an injury or trauma to the eyes, such as punches, blows or by penetrating objects in the eyes, for example. This type of cataract does not usually happen immediately after the trauma, but it can take years to develop.
4. Secondary cataract
Secondary cataracts occur because of diseases such as diabetes or hypothyroidism or the use of medications such as corticosteroids, for example. It is important to maintain medical follow-up for these diseases and for the use of medications to reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
Check out 10 simple tips to control diabetes.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of cataracts is made by the eye doctor when analyzing the history, medications in use, existing diseases and other risk factors. In addition, when examining the eyes with a device called an ophthalmoscope, it is possible to identify the exact location and extent of the cataract. Learn more about the eye exam.
In the case of babies and children, it is important to inform the doctor of the signs that the child may have a cataract, such as the difficulty of looking directly at an object or bringing the hands to the eyes often, especially when exposed to sunlight, for example.
How the treatment is done
Cataract treatment may involve the use of glasses or contact lenses to improve the vision problem, however, the only treatment capable of curing the cataract is surgery in which the lens is removed and lenses are inserted in place. Learn more about cataract surgery.
How to prevent cataracts
Some precautions can be taken to prevent the appearance of cataracts, such as:
- Do eye exams regularly;
- Do not use eye drops and take medications, especially corticosteroids, without medical recommendation;
- Wear sunglasses to reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
- Quit smoking;
- Reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Control diabetes;
- Maintain the ideal weight.
In addition, it is important to maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins A, B12, C and E, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and zinc and antioxidants such as omega 3 present in fish, algae and seeds such as chia and flaxseed, for example, as they can help to prevent cataracts and protect the eyes from natural aging.