Monday, May 5, 2014

Cataracts

There are other eye problems. One of the most common are cataracts which is a clouding of the lens of the eye. Normally the lens is clear and allows light to enter the eye. But when a cataract forms, the eye is less able to see clearly. Cataracts are a common vision problem that is highly treatable.


Causes of cataracts--changes within the protein material of the lens are responsible for cataracts. These changes, are a natural part of aging. But some people are born with cataracts. Cataracts can also be due to.
 Long term exposure to sunlight
,Diabetes
.Smoking
.Injury to the eye
.Long term use of steroid medications


Symptoms of cataracts--early stages of cataracts cause little or no visual problems. They often develop in both eyes. The rate  of progression varies with each eye. Left untreated, cataracts can result in loss of vision. As cataracts develop, symptoms may include:


Cloudy or blurry vision
Seeing glare or halos around lights
Trouble seeing at night
Distortion of colors
When the lens is clear light enters the eye through the clear cornea. The colored part of the eye, the iris, controls the amount of light that enters through the pupil. The lens then focuses the light onto the retina at the back of the eye. Signals travel from the retina through the optic nerve to  the brain where they turn into images you see.


When the lens has a cataract the lens is cloudy with a cataract, light can't pass through easily and is scattered. The imagine that is cast on the retina is blurry. That is why having a cataract is like looking through a foggy window. cataracts can form in different parts of the lens, the center, the side, or the back.


An eye exam is needed to find out if you have a cataract. During the evaluation your eye doctor will do the following.
Ask questions about your health and vision. Tell your doctor about any other eye problems. Also mention any medications, vitamins, or herbs
Test your vision to check how well you see and rule out other problems. Bring your glasses or contacts to the exam so your doctor can check the prescription.
Examine your eyes. Eye drops are used to dilate your pupils. This allows the doctor to use instruments such as a slit lamp and ophthalmoscope to look inside each eye. If you will be having cataract surgery, an A-scan or a laser interferometer is used. These are special tools that measure the length of your eyeball to determine the new lens that will replace your old one.

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