Cataract blinding occurs due to the building up of cataract in the lens of the eye.
Cataract blinding usually happens gradually, starting in middle age and ending in blindness in old age.
The lens in the eye is focuses the light rays on the retina, by which we can see things. The lens is made up of water and protein. Over a period of time, due to aging or some other factors, the protein in the lens clouts together at one place. This is cataract.
The cataract is small in the beginning and may not affect sight. But after some time it will grow bigger leading to blindness.
Symptoms & Causes of cataract
The most observed reason for cataract is aging. But there are also other reasons for it.
Secondary causes: cataract can be caused as a result of diabetes and eye surgeries for other diseases such as glaucoma. Using steroids can also cause cataract.
Eye injury: eye injuries may result in cataract, sometimes years after the injury.
Congenital cataract: some babies are born with cataracts and some get it in childhood. This cataract is usually small and does not affect vision. Sometimes, the cataract may grow bigger, in which case a surgery is needed.
Radiation: exposure to some types of radiation may cause cataract.
Other factors: smoking, alcohol and exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of cataract.
Prevention of cataract
- Wear sunglasses to prevent ultraviolet rays of the sun from entering your eyes.
- If you smoke, stop it. Reduce consumption of alcohol.
- Eat a balanced diet including green leafy vegetables and fruits.
- Taking anti-oxidant supplements might help.
Treatment
Surgery is the only cure for cataract. In surgery, the whole cataracted lens is removed. A plastic lens is placed in the eye, which remains there for the rest of life. Normal vision is restored after surgery.
