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 Home > Conditions & Concerns > Specialties  > Ophthalmology > Cataract

Cataract

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Any opacification of the crystalline human lens or its capsule is called Cataract. 

Causes of Cataract

1. Developmental due to Maternal malnutrition or  infections.

2. Acquired

	Senile - due to ageing.
	Deficiency of vitamins and amino acids.
	Administration of toxic chemical.
	Hypocalcaemia (persistently low calcium level)
	Systemic conditions like Diabetes mellitus.
	Trauma/Injury.
	Radiation.

Highlights

Diabetes and the
    Eyes

All about Contact
    Lenses

Eye safety for
    children

First Aid for Eye
    Injuries

Good Health for
    your eyes

AIDS, HIV and
    the Eyes

Symptoms of Cataract 

	Gradual dimness of vision.
	Necessity of frequent change of glasses.
	Fogginess of vision.
	Seeing of spots before the eyes.
	Diplopia (Double picture) of vision.
	In late stages pain, redness, watering and headache.

Diagnosis

You have to first consult your eye specialist to confirm the diagnosis for which you have to take the following tests.

1. Vision testing 

2. Slit lamp examination to visualize the eye chambers.

3. Examination of the eye with an ophthalmoscope.

4. Tonometry to record intra ocular pressure.

5. Systemic examination to find out any cause. 

Treatment of Cataract

No medical treatment by drugs or otherwise has been shown to have any significant effect in inducing the disappearance of Cataract. 

Investigations 

1. Above tests by an ophthalmologist
2. Laboratory Investigations of:

1. Hemoglobin

2. WBC count

3. Blood Sugar Test

4. Urine test

5. Bleeding & Clotting time

6. Blood record

7. Electro Cardiogram and Medical Fitness opinion by physician and anesthetist.

Surgeries

1. Simple Cataract Removal without lens implantation.

2. Cataract removal with Intraocular lens Implantation through:

	Regular 8-10 mm incision requiring stitch in the eye.
	Newer 4-5 mm section not requiring any stitch.

Extracapsular Surgery

The eye surgeon removes the lens, leaving behind the back half of the capsule (the outer covering of the lens).  

Phacoemulsification

In this type of surgery, the surgeon softens the lens with sound waves and removes it through a needle. The back half of the lens capsule is left behind. 

Intracapsular Surgery

The surgeon removes the entire lens including the capsule. This method is rarely used. 
 
A person who has cataract surgery will get an artificial lens to replace the lens that has been removed. A plastic disc, called an intraocular lens, is placed in the lens capsule inside the eye. It takes a few months for the eye to heal after cataract surgery. 

Other choices are contact lenses and cataract glasses. Your doctor will help you decide which choice is best for you. A cataract can not return since the lens has been removed. It is not unusual for the lens capsule to become cloudy once again. This surgery is painless and does not require a hospital stay. Cataract surgery has a success rate of 95% in patients with otherwise healthy eyes. If you have a cataract in both eyes, most experts say it is best to wait until your first eye heals before proceeding with an operation on the second eye. You will be restricted in movement for a short period of time after the surgery, and practically speaking it takes several months for your eye to heal properly. Your eye doctor will advise you of your recovery timetable.

Disadvantages of not putting a lens

1. Patient has to be totally blind before he can be taken for surgery (Economic Losses tremendous).

2. Rehabilitation very slow.

3. With thick glasses patient is 50% handicapped because of:

30% magnification with glass

No binocular vision

Scotomas, Dark Areas around visual field

Vertigo / space disorientation leading to dizziness

Minute / Fine work difficult

Heavy thick, uncosmetic glasses.

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