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Any opacification of the crystalline human lens or its capsule is called Cataract.Causes of Cataract
- Developmental due to Maternal malnutrition or infections.
- 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.
- 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.
You have to first consult your eye specialist to confirm the diagnosis for which you have to take the following tests.
- Vision testing.
- Slit lamp examination to visualize the eye chambers.
- Examination of the eye with an ophthalmoscope.
- Tonometry to record intra ocular pressure.
- Systemic examination to find out any cause.
No medical treatment by drugs or otherwise has been shown to have any significant effect in inducing the disappearance of Cataract.
Investigations of Cataract
- Above tests by an ophthalmologist.
- Laboratory Investigations of:
- Hemoglobin.
- WBC count.
- Blood Sugar Test.
- Urine test.
- Bleeding & Clotting time.
- Blood record.
- Electro Cardiogram and Medical Fitness opinion by physician and anesthetist.
- Simple Cataract Removal without lens implantation.
- 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.
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.
