Cataracts

Holden C.toc

What are Cataracts?
Cataracts is the worlds leading cause of blindness, with an average of about 20 million cases around the globe.

A Cataract is a when an individual's eye begins to form a cloudy substance located in the Crystalline lens. This lens helps refract light like the cornea and plays a very important role in the vision of humans. Therefore, it is vital for people take care of our eyes because Cataracts can cause major vision loss if not treated.

The occurance rates are much higher in elderly people rather than younger people. After the age of 80 you are at a much higher risk of being diagnosed with cataracts. Due to this, elderly cataract diagnoses contributes to 48% of the worls blindness Over half North Americans experience cataracts every year.

How Cataracts are Formed
Cataracts form on the inside of the lens which usually causes such effects as blurred vision, glares from light and even haloes around light sources. There are may different causes of developing cataracts which include old age being the top reason. Other contributors are Trauma and bodily disorders such as diabetes.

Symptoms and Risk
Fortunately, Cataracts can usually be removed by surgery and vision will usually be restored to its full potential. However, Cataracts have a handful of known symptoms. The following is a list of all the known symptoms and risks:

Symptoms:
1. Double vision 2. Difficulty seeing small images and details poor central vision 3. Problems identifying colours 4. Difficulty seeing at night or in dark areas 5. Experience glares and haloes around light sources as well as sensitivity to bright light

Risks:
1. Age 2. Family history 3. Smoking 4. Alcohol intake 5. Exposure to sun

Cataracts Surgery
Cataract surgery is currently the most commonly performed surgery around the world. Not only does it cure the problem, but it is also an extremely safe and effective procedure to undergo. The surgery is performed by a specialist called an opthalmologist (eye surgeon) who performs the operation. During the procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions in the Cornea order to get access to the Crystalline lens and remove the cataract. In order to remove the cataract, the old lens must be removed. Then a new artificial lens is implanted into the eye. .