A cataract is when a cloudy area appears behind the iris and pupil of the eye. The retina of the eye works in a similar manner to a camera lens. The retina is made primarily of water with protein floating in the water. As the human body ages, the ability to remove this protein from the eye becomes less efficient and thus a collection of protein collects in the eye. This protein causes the cloudiness and the cataract.
Conjunctivitis" rel="lightbox[pics78]" href="http://methodsofhealing.com/healing_conditions/files/2008/07/800px-pink_eye1.jpg">
Who Can Get Cataracts?
Cataracts can form in the eye of young children, as well as older adults. The most common sector of the population to suffer from cataracts is the aged and elderly.
Types of Cataracts
There are three types of cataracts. These include:
- Nuclear Cataract – The most common form of cataract, the cloudiness is visible to the human eye and is normally caused by aging. A nuclear cataract forms in the nucleus of the eye.
- Cortical Cataract – Forming in the cortex of the eye, the cortical cataract gradually encloses the center of the eye. The cortical cataract is common in diabetics.
- Subcapsular Cataract – The subcapsular cataract begins formation at the back of the eye and moves forward. This form of cataract is common in those who use steroids, suffer from farsightedness, and retinitis pigmentosa.
Causes of Cataracts
While there are no known causes of cataracts, researchers believe ultraviolet light damage to the eye may aid in the formation of cataracts. Other studies have questioned the roll of cigarette smoke, steroids, diuretics, air pollution and over consumption of alcohol in cataract formation.
Symptoms of Cataracts
The most common symptoms of a cataract include cloudy vision, high sensitivity to bright lights, loss of color brightness, and possible loss of vision.
Alternative Treatments for Cataracts
When the cataract is in the beginning stages of growth the treatments may be focused on the over the counter variety. These may include new eyeglasses, stronger bifocal prescriptions, magnification glasses, and increased lighting when reading or watching television.
The most common alternative treatments for cataracts include:
- Wearing sunglasses – preventative
- Anti-oxidants – beta carotene, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E
When is Medicinal Treatments Necessary?
When the effect of the cataract begins to impair your vision to the point of affecting your daily life, the time has come to see a doctor about removing the cataract. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to a loss of vision.
For severe cataracts, the most common medicinal treatment is surgery. Cataract surgery has been extremely successful in the past as improving vision to the level of pre-cataract. Cataract surgery involves the removal of the clouded lens and the insertion of a new lens.
Related Posts
There is much more to the eye than merely its pretty blue, green, grey or brown adorned with long luxurious lashes. The eye is a complex organ comprised of an inner layer that...
Resulting from an autoimmune destruction of the B cells of the pancreas, Juvenile Diabetes has also been known as juvenile diabetes mellitus and is now frequently referred to as...
Known in the medical field as melanocytic nevus, moles are dark and relatively small growths on people’s skins and they can appear alone or in clusters anywhere on the body,...
Also known as dermatophytid; tinea, ringworm is a misleading name for a contagious infection of the skin which is not caused by a worm but rather by a fungus that feeds on flesh...
Changing the skin’s natural color and feel as well as its texture and appearance, a skin rash is also plainly referred to as a rash. Furthermore, a skin rash is an unhealthful...
Comments
Recent Comments