Three types of cataracts and their treatments

Cataracts refer to the clouding on the eye’s natural lens, which is caused by the proteins’ abnormal clustering on the lens. While the lens is responsible for keeping clear vision, cataracts make it hard to see. Cataracts are usually seen on old people, since their ever well-arranged proteins are more probably to clump together as they age. Different types of cataracts affect different parts of the lens. A subcapsular cataract affects the back of the lens, which may be caused by diabetes, high hyperopia or high doses of steroids. A cortical cataract forms in the lens cortex, which may results from diabetes. Associated with aging, a nuclear cataract is the most common type, which forms in the nucleus.

Common symptoms of cataracts include blurred vision, more glaring light and darker colors. Cataracts cause blurred vision just like there is a piece of cloud in front of your eyes. The sun light and headlights from a night car will bring more glares to people with cataracts. Certain cataract even has strange symptoms. At the early stage of a nuclear cataract, your vision may undergo a process of vision improvement. Of course, final development of cataracts will bring a vision decrease.

There is a huge variety of factors that may or surely cause cataracts. The most widely recognized one is UV exposure, so that sunglasses are helpful to minimize this risk. It is found that pilots and astronauts with much cosmic radiation exposure are more probably to suffer from nuclear cataract, so that cosmic radiation is considered as a risk. Cigarette smoke, air pollution, heavy consumption of alcohol and lead exposure are also suspected to cause cataracts.

Other factors involve drugs, foods and diseases. Some ECPs suggest that diabetes patients are more likely to have cataracts. Steroids, diuretics and major tranquilizers are still potential contributors to cataracts. A diet high in vitamin A, C and E, and salt may accelerate the development of cataracts.

To remove symptoms of cataracts, patients can use eyeglasses, strong bifocals, magnifiers, and other vision aids. For those who have developed severe cataracts, they can resort to a cataract surgery, which is the most widely applied surgery in US. A cataract surgery performs by replacing your clouded lens with a new plastic intraocular lens (IOL). Currently, more advanced IOLs such as presbyopia IOL and UV blocking IOL are available, which bring more vision benefits. The most exciting advantage of cataract surgeries is their high rates of success. It is proved that 90% of patients can get a restored vision between 20/20 and 20/40.