Cataract is a condition characterized by clouding of the crystalline lens, the eye’s natural lens, which is normally transparent and helps focus light on the retina. It is the most common cause of reversible vision loss worldwide. In people over 60, 60-90% of cataracts are diagnosed. Cataracts can be congenital, when clouding of the lens occurs in the intrauterine period, requiring immediate surgery in the first months of life to allow normal eye development. Without this intervention, the affected eye will not develop properly, which can lead to irreversible vision loss and strabismus. Acquired cataracts, on the other hand, occur throughout life and are related to ageing, eye trauma, inflammation, exposure to radiation, the toxic effects of certain drugs, severe myopia, diabetes or congenital eye syndromes. The lens is located behind the iris and is responsible for vision at different distances due to its ability to change its curvature. When cataracts occur, patients experience blurred vision, especially in low-light conditions, and find that glasses are no longer enough to correct their vision. Treatment of cataracts is exclusively surgical and the prognosis is usually very good. There is no clear recommendation as to the optimal time for surgery, which is decided according to the patient’s visual acuity, age, the presence of other eye conditions and lifestyle. It is now possible to replace the opacified lens with an artificial lens (intraocular lens) which not only restores clear vision but can also correct astigmatism. New femtosecond laser technologies allow precise and minimally invasive cuts to be made in the cornea, thus reducing the duration of the procedure and the risk of complications, even in complex clinical cases. In conclusion, cataract treatment has an excellent visual prognosis in most cases and patients can return to a normal life with clear vision and, in many cases, without the need for glasses.
Cataract Causes, Symptoms and Modern Treatment Options
