Method of Treatment of Cataracts

Cataract

DEFINITION

Cataracts are opacities in the lens of the eye that causes visual impairment.

Causes of cataract.

In many cases, the cause is unknown. Cataracts usually occur in the elderly and can be lowered. Cataract formation is accelerated by environmental factors, such as smoking or other toxic materials.

Cataracts can be caused by:

Eye injuries

Metabolic diseases (eg diabetes)

Certain medications (eg corticosteroids).

Kongenitalis cataract cataract is found in infants at birth (or some time later).

Cataracts can kongenitalis is a hereditary disease (autosomal dominant inherited) or can be caused by:

- Congenital infections, such as German measles

- In connection with metabolic diseases, such as galactosemia.

Risk factor for cataract kongenitalis are:

- An inherited metabolic disease

- Family history of cataracts in

- A viral infection in the mother when the baby is still in the womb.

Cataracts in adults is usually associated with the aging process.

Cataracts in adults grouped into:

Immature cataract: a lens still has the clear

Mature cataracts: the lens is completely opaque

Hipermatur cataract: the surface of the lens there are already seeping through the lens capsule and may cause inflammation of other eye structures.

Most of the lens a bit murky after the age of 60 years. Most of the patients experienced similar changes in both eyes, although changes in one eye may be worse than the other eye.

Many people with cataracts who experience only mild vision problems and are unaware that they suffer from cataracts.

Factors affecting the occurrence of cataracts are:

- Low blood calcium levels

- Diabetes

- Long-term use of corticosteroids

- A variety of inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases.

- Environmental factors (trauma, radiation, ultraviolet light).

SYMPTOMS

All rays entering the eye must first pass through the lens. Hence, each part lenses that block, deflect or spread the beam can cause vision problems. Severity of visual impairment depends on the location and maturity of the cataract.

Cataracts develop slowly and do not cause pain accompanied by visual disturbances that appear gradually.

Impaired vision can be:

- Difficulty seeing at night

- See the circle around the light or the light was blinding eye

- Decrease in visual acuity (even in the daytime).

Other symptoms are:

- Frequently changing eye glass

- Double vision in one eye.

Sometimes cataract lens causing swelling and increased pressure inside the eye (glaucoma), which Bosa cause pain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis based on symptoms and results of eye examinations.

Diagnostic tests are commonly performed:

Standard eye examination, including slit lamp examination with

Ultrasound eye in preparation for cataract surgery.

TREATMENT

The only treatment for cataracts is surgery. Surgery is performed if the patient can not see well with glasses help to perform daily kegitannya. Some patients may feel better eyesight by simply replacing the glass eyes, glass eyes bifokus using stronger or use a magnifying lens.

If a cataract does not interfere with surgery is usually not necessary. Surgery consists of removal of the cataract lens and replace it with an artificial lens.

Removal of the lens

There are two kinds of surgery that can be used to lift the lens:

- Surgery ekstrakapsuler: removed leaving the lens capsule.

To soften the lens making it easier to capture the lens through a small incision, use of high frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification).

- Surgery intrakapsuler: the lens and its capsule removed. At this time surgery is rarely performed intrakapsuler.

Replacement lenses

Patients who have undergone cataract surgery usually will get an artificial lens instead of a lens that has been raised.

This artificial lens is a slab of plastic called an intraocular lens, intraocular lens is usually inserted into the lens capsule inside the eye.

Cataract surgery is commonly performed and generally safe. After surgery are rare infections or bleeding in the eye that can cause serious vision problems.

To prevent infection, reduce inflammation and speed healing, for several weeks after surgery is given eye drops or ointment.

To protect the eyes from injury, patients should use protective eye glasses or metal until surgical wound is completely healed.

PREVENTION

Primary prevention is to control the diseases associated with cataract, and avoiding the factors that accelerate the formation of cataracts. Use sunglasses when outdoors during the day can reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays that enter the eye. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of cataracts.