Symptoms of eye cataracts, signs in the early stages, initial cataracts in adults, eye treatment

What are cataractsCauses Types Signs and symptoms Congenital cataracts Diagnosis Treatment methodsMyths about cataractsVideos about cataracts

Cataract is a disease associated with clouding of the lens of the eye and can lead to complete loss of vision.

A healthy lens has a transparent structure and acts as a natural lens that transmits light rays, focusing them on the retina. As soon as the lens loses its transparency, its transmission capacity is weakened and the person begins to experience deterioration in vision.

Next, we will consider in more detail how the disease is diagnosed, its first symptoms, for what reasons eye cataract occurs and what it is in general, since this disease is dangerous due to its progression, leading to a complete loss of visual function. Timely treatment of cataracts and accurate diagnosis in the early stages of the disease can avoid serious consequences and preserve vision.

What is cataract

This is an eye disease characterized by partial or complete clouding of the substance of the capsule or lens of the eye. A cataract is a waterfall, because over time the patient begins to see the world around him, as if through the prism of a falling waterfall. The disease is accompanied by decreased vision or loss of vision.

What does eye cataract look like? First of all, clouding of the lens occurs. The lens is a transparent lens that is located inside the eye and which focuses light rays on the retina, thereby helping to obtain a clear and clear image of objects. The disease can occur as a result of age-related changes, injuries or other diseases of the body.

The resulting disease remains unnoticed for a long time. When a person realizes that his eyes have stopped seeing the world normally, some symptoms appear: objects are perceived as if through fogged glasses; they double and become blurry; their bright color decreases; A halo appears on luminous objects.

The disease does not develop in one day, vision gradually disappears, but a person has time to pay attention to the disease and begin treatment on time to avoid complications. Modern ophthalmology offers many different methods of treating cataracts, so the disease can be dealt with, the main thing is to take timely measures.

Cataracts in the eyes do not occur only in people of mature age. Changes in the optical environment can occur at almost any age. In young people, it develops not due to the natural aging of the visual system, but as a result of infections, injuries, and inflammatory processes. The disease can affect one or both eyes.

This is what a cataract looks like

Congenital cataract

In infants, congenital cataracts occur as a result of problems during fetal development and can affect one or both eyes at the same time. The disease in newborns is often accompanied by strabismus and rhythmic twitching of the eyes. Cloudiness of the lens can be localized in the area of the pupil. On the surface of the pupil, the cloudiness can be dotted, in the form of a disk, or completely cover the pupil.

Over time, you can notice that the child does not react to objects appearing before his eyes, and there is no reaction to familiar faces. If the cataract is one-sided, then the child brings toys closer to one healthy eye to examine objects.

In childhood, the visual system plays an important role in the child's development and knowledge of the world around him. Timely diagnosis and treatment of cataracts will help ensure the correct formation of the baby’s visual system. Surgical treatment can be carried out at the age of three months.

Causes of cataracts

There are many reasons why cataracts appear in the eyes. Conventionally, they are divided into internal and external. These may include burns and eye injuries, ultraviolet and radiation exposure, high radiation, toxin poisoning, various eye diseases and other factors.

Among them there are causes of eye cataracts that affect the development of the disease, but it is impossible for a person to influence them. But there are also those that are determined by the lifestyle or other characteristics of people. The first include:

genetic predisposition - if your ancestors were sick, then there is a very high probability of the disease in the younger generation;
advanced age - the older the person, the higher the risk of development;
gender - women get sick more often than men;
congenital disease - when a child is born with symptoms of cataracts;
Chronic diseases - the presence of glaucoma, diabetes, thyroid gland increase the chances of developing the disease.

Conducted studies have proven what causes eye cataracts, that is, people at risk of developing the disease include:

alcohol abusers and heavy smokers;
not wearing protective glasses and often being exposed to ultraviolet beta radiation;
patients with diabetes, emphysema and asthma;
injured or burned eyes;
survivors of severe infectious diseases - malaria, smallpox, typhus;
frequent x-ray examinations;
workers of hazardous and chemical industries;
living in unfavorable environmental conditions.

Despite these different causes, the disease is characterized by similar complaints; has the same symptoms; methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Causes

Cataracts of the eye can develop for a variety of reasons. The main ones are:

Heredity. The disease can be passed on from generation to generation, so it is important to know if your immediate family has cataracts.
Mechanical and chemical damage and injuries, contusions. These are the most common causes of cataract development.
Having bad habits. Tobacco and alcohol can cause a variety of diseases, including cataracts.
Metabolic disorders, lack of vitamins in the body, diabetes mellitus and disorders of the endocrine system. These problems cause a number of side diseases that require complex treatment.
Poor environmental conditions in the place of residence, high degree of radiation activity.
Exposure to various chemicals and toxic substances.
Some medicines.

Restoring vision using the Zhdanov method is described here.

Cataracts can be a complication of many other diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, hypertension, and so on.

A greater likelihood of developing cataracts exists in those people who are obese.

Signs and symptoms of cataracts

To understand how eye cataracts begin, you need to remember the anatomy of the eye, which will help you better understand the essence of the disease. The structure of the eye is, in principle, similar to that of a camera. It contains a lens consisting of lenses that focus the image of an object onto photographic film.

The human eye is similar. The lens is two refractive lenses - the lens and the cornea of the eye, the photographic film is the retina, which receives the image transmitted to the brain through the fibers of the optic nerve. This is exactly how the visual organ is designed.

Symptoms in the early stages are clouding of the eye's lens, one of the most important lenses in the eye, causing images to fail to focus on the retina. And depending on the stage of the disease, a person sees everything either in a thick fog, or only light and movement.

If the cataract is localized at the edge of the lens, then the person does not experience visible changes in vision. If the localization of the clouding of the lens is located in the center, then the person understands that he sees the surrounding objects blurry and indistinct.

Symptoms of eye cataracts are very characteristic: in bright light the pupil narrows, the light passes through the center of the lens - the person sees poorly; indoors or at night, the pupil dilates, light passes through the peripheral parts of the lens, remaining transparent, and the person sees better.

Symptoms can also manifest themselves in photophobia and doubling of objects. The disease usually develops gradually, in one or both eyes. Normally, the pupil looks black, but with illness it can become gray, white or yellow. Instantly developing cataracts are characterized by an increase in the size of the lens, which leads to increased blood pressure, closure of the outflow pathways of intraocular fluid, and pain.

The first signs of cataracts in the early stages vary from person to person, but most often they are similar:

deterioration of night vision;
blurred vision;
sensitivity to bright light;
flashing spots before the eyes: strokes, stripes;
distortion and doubling of the objects in question;
Difficulty sewing, reading small print;
color non-perception;
difficulty in choosing glasses.

Gradually, as the disease progresses, symptoms of pathological flashes and spots, flickering streaks and spots appear, halos are observed around objects, and lacrimation appears when you strain your gaze. With gradual progression, grayish areas of disruption of the final display appear.

Clouding of the lens of the eye (cataract)

Causes of cataracts

The transparent structure of the lens is preserved due to the unique properties of the protein tissue that makes up the natural lens of the human eye. Disturbances in metabolic processes in the body contribute to changes in the physicochemical and biological properties of the lens tissue, which leads to its clouding. This process tends to only progress and is irreversible.

Cataracts develop most often during the aging period of the body and this is associated with age-related changes. In 90% of cases, cataracts are diagnosed in patients of older retirement age.

Factors that accelerate the development of the disease are metabolic disorders in the body, insufficient supply of vitamins, unfavorable environmental conditions and diabetes.

Cloudiness of the lens can also develop as a result of previous eye injuries or be a congenital disease diagnosed in infants. Congenital cataracts have several types, which differ in the location of the opacification. The risk of having a child with cataracts increases in pregnant women with diabetes, as well as those who have had infectious diseases in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Symptoms of cataracts in older people

Cataracts, like other diseases, are rapidly becoming younger today. More and more often today, doctors give this diagnosis to people under half a century old. However, the main cause of this disease is old age and health disorders accumulated over many years of life. As the body ages, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and dense.

Senile cataracts depend on the degree of progression and have many signs of disease. The main stages in older people: starting, immature, mature, overripe. At the initial stage there is only a slight deterioration in vision; if immature, vision decreases by more than 10%; when mature, a person can only see light; when overripe, the lens dissolves on its own, leading to loss of vision.

In older people, no more than 10 years pass from the initial stage of the disease to blindness. Today there are effective techniques that remove damaged lenses. If cataracts are accompanied by glaucoma, it is not possible to fully restore vision after surgery. With timely treatment, complete loss of vision is prevented.

Congenital cataract in a child

Congenital cataracts account for more than half of all congenital visual defects. Cataracts in newborns are caused by genetic changes in the structure of proteins necessary to ensure the transparency of the lens. The causes of cataracts in children under one year of age can be diabetes in the mother, infectious diseases of the mother in the first trimester of pregnancy, or taking certain medications. The main thing in this case is early diagnosis of congenital cataracts. If the location and size of the cloudiness in the lens do not interfere with the proper development of the organ of vision, then such cataracts do not require emergency surgical treatment.

Read more about the types of congenital cataracts ▼

The most common congenital cataracts are:

CAPSULARY. Isolated opacification of the anterior or posterior capsule of the lens. The degree of vision loss depends on the size of the capsule opacification. The development of capsular cataracts can be caused by maternal diseases during pregnancy or intrauterine inflammatory processes.
POLAR. The lesion extends to both the capsule and the substance of the lens at the anterior or posterior poles. In most cases, bilateral cataracts occur. Size and shape vary significantly, which determines its effect on vision.
LAYERED (zonular). The most common form of congenital cataract. In the vast majority of cases it is bilateral. Located in the center, around a transparent (or slightly cloudy) core. Vision always decreases, most often very significantly, to 0.1 and below.
NUCLEAR. It develops in both eyes, has a pronounced family-hereditary nature, and most often vision decreases to a very low level - 0.1 and below. In cases where the opacification is limited to the embryonic nucleus, vision may decrease slightly or not at all.
FULL. The disease is usually bilateral. The clinical picture is varied and depends on the degree of lens opacity. When a cataract is fully developed, the entire lens becomes cloudy. The child is blind and has only light perception. It can develop before birth or mature in the first months of life. Complete cataracts are combined with other defects in eye development (microphthalmos, choroidal coloboma, macular hypoplasia, nystagmus, strabismus, etc.). Complete cataracts can sometimes have a tendency to resolve, and then a film remains in the area of the pupil - membranous cataract.
COMPLICATED. The cause of its development may be galactosemia, diabetes, viral rubella and other serious diseases. Often accompanied by other birth defects (heart defects, deafness).

The main thing in this case is early diagnosis of congenital cataracts. If the location and size of the cloudiness in the lens do not interfere with the proper development of the organ of vision, then such cataracts do not require emergency surgical treatment. If the clouding prevents the flow of light rays to the retina and the development of central vision in the baby, then it is necessary to remove this obstacle as soon as possible in order for the child’s visual system to develop correctly. Treatment of congenital cataracts at the Excimer Clinic is carried out even in the youngest children, starting from three months.

Types of lens damage

The specificity of cataract symptoms depends on the morphological features and localization of opacities, which are characterized by great diversity. The greatest decrease in vision occurs when the clouding is located opposite the pupil. Opacities located in the periphery have less impact on vision.

Depending on the location and degree of opacities, the ophthalmologist observes a variety of clinical pictures, accompanied by the following pathologies:

Nuclear - characterized by slight clouding of the central part of the lens, looks like a white spot with sharply defined boundaries. As it progresses, the lens becomes dense. Vision decreases.
Subcapsular - localized in the posterior region of the lens, it looks like a white cloudy ball. Interferes with the reading process and causes photophobia. It can be bilateral, but the symptoms are unilateral.
Cortical - localized around the nucleus of the lens, has a layered structure with transparent and turbid layers. As it progresses, it gradually moves towards the center of the lens. There is visual impairment both far and near.
Soft – characterized by clouding of the entire lens; over time, it resolves and liquefies.

The types can be combined with each other, which is most noticeable in older people. Incorrect diagnosis and untimely treatment lead to complications: complete loss of vision, lens displacement, secondary glaucoma, retinal atrophy.

Types of cataracts

Cataracts of the eye, depending on the period of development, can be congenital due to pathologies of fetal development, acquired as a result of injuries and age-related due to the natural aging processes of the body.

Depending on the location of the cloudiness on the lens, there are:

Polar posterior and anterior cataracts, when the clouding is at the poles of the lens and has virtually no effect on visual acuity. Most common in newborns.
Layered cataract, when the lens tissue becomes cloudy in layers and alternates with transparent ones.
Fusiform cataract located in the central part of the lens. It has little effect on visual acuity and practically does not progress.
Cortical cataracts, which occur in older patients.
Subcapsular cataract with rapid progression and a significant impact on the reduction of visual acuity.
Complete cataracts, which cover the entire surface of the lens and are more common in newborns.

Different types of cataracts can be classified according to several criteria:

patient's age;
reason for occurrence;
localization of turbidity;
stages of development.

Clinical stages and symptoms of the disease

The eye disease cataract, the symptoms of which manifest themselves to varying degrees depending on the progression of the disease, has 4 main stages in its development:

Starting or maturing - the appearance of strokes, dots, black flies before the eyes; doubling of objects; photophobia; decreased vision at night; temporary restoration of the ability to read without glasses for nearsighted people.
Immature or swelling - increasing volume of the lens leads to increased intraocular pressure; the image of objects becomes yellow; feeling of fog before the eyes; the shade of the pupil and iris changes; the area of turbidity increases.
Formed or mature – the patient ceases to distinguish between surrounding objects; during this period, for him only his hands are brought close to his face; Only light sensations are perceived.
Overripe - the pupil is completely covered with a milky-white film; complete irreversible loss of vision.

It takes 6 to 20 years for the disease to move from the first to the fourth stage. It is very important to pay attention to the early symptoms of cataracts; in this case, the disease can be dealt with without resorting to surgery. It is very important to diagnose the disease in the early stages and begin timely effective treatment.

Development of the disease

According to the severity of the disease and the localization of lens opacities in cataracts, the following stages are distinguished:

Anterior and posterior capsule - the initial stage of the pathology. The area of opacity affects the edge of the lens near the equator and does not affect vision. At this stage, changes can only be detected using an ophthalmoscope and examining the eye with transmitted light, or using a slit lamp.
Perinuclear, or layered. Foci of opacification are localized in the outer layers of the lens and do not affect the optical zone. Discomfort occurs due to the fact that double objects appear in front of one eye, and patients are also bothered by glare from intense light sources.
Nuclear. Clouding of the lens occurs in the central part. As a result, the refractive index of light increases and the luminous flux is reflected more strongly. The patient develops lenticular myopia and experiences a sharp decrease in vision.
Cortical. Cloudy foci are located in the peripheral areas of the lens. Patients are bothered by flying flies and smoke in front of their eyes. In the cortical form, visual acuity remains for several years.
Subcapsular. In this variant, vision deteriorates sharply, foci of clouding are localized in a chaotic manner. Patients feel a glow around objects, do not tolerate intense light well, and cannot read texts with small print.

Mechanism of development and statistics of the disease

Cataract is an eye disease, the main symptom of which is clouding of the lens, a transparent body that has a spherical shape of a biconvex lens with different radii of anterior and posterior curvature. It is located between the vitreous body and the iris behind the pupil. Covered with an elastic transparent shell that protects from external damage.

The lens, refracting light rays, concentrates them on the retina. Impulses from physical and biochemical processes that cause irritation of nerve endings are sent to the cerebral cortex along the optic nerves, where a clear image of the objects in front of a person is formed.

The physiological state of the lens is its elasticity and transparency. Depending on the distance to the object being examined, it instantly changes its shape. As a result, the refractive power of the light beam and the radii of curvature increase or decrease.

Thus, the objects in question are focused on the retina. Thanks to these continuous processes, a person can equally well examine objects at a distant and close distance.

The chemical composition of the lens, which is washed by the intraocular fluid, is mineral elements, proteins, and water. It is not equipped with nerve cells or blood vessels. Intraocular fluid is constantly produced in the eye. It is with its help that metabolic processes are carried out in the lens.

Various reasons lead to disruption of this biochemical metabolic process, accumulation of breakdown products and radicals, and destruction of the transparent protein structures of the lens. Its elasticity, accommodation process, and ability to adequately transmit light rays deteriorate. This leads to poor vision.

Medical statistics indicate that almost 20 million people around the world have been diagnosed with this disease. After 80 years, it is difficult to find a person who does not suffer from this disease. Many of them went blind as a result of ineffective or no treatment. The development of the disease can be delayed for some time, but the older the person, the greater the likelihood of developing vision pathology.

Today, the disease has become much younger and 40-year-old people, regardless of gender, suffer from this disease. In just one year, more than 15 million cataract surgeries are performed worldwide. The number of children with congenital pathologies has also increased.

A study was conducted of longevity and mortality rates in patients with cataracts. The results of the study showed that in patients who underwent surgery, mortality and disease progression were 40% lower than in patients who did not undergo surgery. The results proved that vision correction has a positive impact on a person’s longevity and quality of life.

Cataract of the eye

Destroying myths about cataracts

Cataracts cannot be eliminated using traditional methods without surgical intervention. The process of clouding of the lens is irreversible, so no medications can restore the transparency of the lens.

The operation lasts in most cases from 15-30 minutes and does not require hospitalization. The lens removal process and intraocular soft lens implantation are performed through a micro-incision, so no stitches are required.

You won't need glasses anymore. But this is the case when choosing intraocular lenses, which provide different vision correction. Thus, toric lenses can be used, which perfectly correct vision after cataract removal and provide focusing of vision at different distances.

Cataract treatment cannot be delayed! Over time, the clouded lens increases in size and begins to put pressure on the eyeball, which leads to constant increased intraocular pressure. As a result, glaucoma may begin to develop, which, with rapid progression, leads to complete irreversible loss of vision due to the death of the optic nerve.

Diagnosis of lens opacities

If you notice a decrease in visual acuity, image clarity, or other symptoms appear, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist. In order to diagnose the disease, you should undergo a comprehensive examination using modern equipment, including:

Visometry – determination of visual acuity;
Computer keratorefractometry – determination of the degree of farsightedness, myopia, astigmatism; measurement of refractive power and radius of curvature of the cornea;
Biomicroscopy – examination of the anterior segment of the eyeball, the condition of the iris and lens;
Gonioscopy – examination using a special lens of the anterior chamber angle;
Tonometry – measurement of intraocular pressure;
Computer perimetry – study of the visual field;
Ophthalmoscopy – examination of the fundus and determination of the condition of the optic nerve and retina;
Scanning or ultrasound examination - measuring the thickness of the cornea and lens, determining the condition of the retina and vitreous body, the anterior-posterior size of the eyeball, the depth of the anterior chamber of the eye;
Keratotopography – according to indications for a comprehensive examination of the anterior segment of the eye.

Based on the research results, the optical power of the artificial lens of the eye is calculated. Absolutely all types of examinations are completely painless and highly accurate.

Diagnostics

There are two types of cataract diagnosis:

Primary diagnosis. It is carried out to make a diagnosis. If a person comes to a specialist on time, an early stage of the disease is diagnosed. Methods of primary diagnosis: external examination, study of general medical history, identification of symptoms, physical examination of the lens.
Secondary diagnosis. It is prescribed to determine the condition of the cataract. Secondary diagnostics can be carried out as planned, or if the patient’s condition worsens. Such diagnosis is required before surgery.

You can find out what perimetry is in the article.

In addition, standard and special methods are used to diagnose cataracts. Standard methods include: biomicroscopy (using a slit lamp), testing vision and its fields, measuring intraocular pressure and examining the fundus. And the group of special methods includes ultrasound and densitometry.

Cataract treatment methods

Today it is not difficult to cure the disease. It lends itself well to surgical intervention. There are various effective treatment methods. The surgical technology makes it possible to simultaneously replace the affected lens with an artificial intraocular lens.

The removal operation is performed using a femtosecond laser or using ultrasound. The procedure is called phacoemulsification and is performed using a local drip of anesthesia. If cataracts are accompanied by glaucoma, it will not be possible to fully restore vision after surgery.

Modern microsurgical and laser methods for treating the affected lens form the basis of disease therapy. Treatment methods are improved every year. Some are becoming a thing of the past, and new treatment options are appearing to replace them. The manipulations are well tolerated by the patient due to the lack of stress on the blood supply and heart.

There are also medicinal treatment methods that act mainly in the initial stages of the disease, as they only slow down the progressive process. Most often these are antioxidants, amino acids, potassium iodide, eye drops containing vitamins C, B, PP. As a complete elimination of the disease, they are ineffective and do not replace conservative treatment.

Complex conservative therapy also includes physiotherapeutic methods that help neutralize individual toxins and protect against the negative effects of radiation. No less important in treatment is therapy and elimination of risk factors for diseases that contribute to the development of cataracts.

There are no true contraindications for the operation. It can be performed on a person of any age. But there are relative contraindications that affect the course of the operation and the recovery process. These are: chronic diseases; heart disease; hypertonic disease; diabetes.

This does not mean that it is impossible to perform an operation with them. In these cases, before removing the lens, consultation with your doctor is necessary. Restoration of vision depends on the success and method of the operation. Strictly individually, but the healing process will take at least a week.

Treatment

Basic methods for treating cataracts:

Conservative treatment;
Surgery.

Conservative

In the conservative treatment of cataracts, various drops are used. They are usually based on eye vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, and so on.

Popular eye drops for cataracts: Quinax, Vitaiodurol.

The drops will not cure cataracts, as clouding of the lens is an irreversible process, but they can help slow the progression of the disease.

Another method of conservative treatment of cataracts is physical therapy. For this, various devices are used, the action of which is aimed at activating metabolic processes in the eyes and increasing blood flow. Advantages of physiotherapy: virtually no side effects or contraindications, complex effects.

Surgery

The essence of surgical treatment is to remove the cloudy lens, which is replaced with an artificial lens.

How much does cataract surgery cost? Read here.

Surgical methods:

Cataract extraction. Currently, this method is practically not used. Extraction is an abdominal operation in which an incision is made at the junction of the cornea and sclera, measuring ten to twelve millimeters. Through it, the lens is removed, and an implant is placed in its place. Then stitches are applied. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Rehabilitation lasts up to several weeks.
Ultrasound phacoemulsification of cataracts. This method is considered the most effective. The essence of ultrasonic phacoemulsification is that ultrasound is applied to the lens through a microincision. As a result, the lens turns into an emulsion and is removed from the eye. A flexible intraocular lens is installed in its place. Viscoelastics are injected inside the eye, which help the doctor carry out all manipulations, and they also protect the eyes during surgery. Phacoemulsification is performed under local anesthesia. After the operation, vision improves after a few hours, and a person begins to see as well as possible after about a week. This operation has no age restrictions.
Laser treatment. Using a laser to treat cataracts allows access to the internal structures of the eye. The laser allows you to perform very precise operations and get good results as a result. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and lasts about twenty minutes. The patient sees well after the operation; maximum vision recovery will occur within a few days.

Complications

Complications of cataracts can occur during or after surgery. Postoperative complications can be early and late. After surgery, only 1-1.5% of patients may experience complications.

Early complications after surgery:

Inflammation (uveitis, iridocyclitis);
Hemorrhages;
Increased intraocular pressure;
Changing the position of the implanted lens;
Retinal detachment.

Late complications after surgery:

Swelling of the macular (central) region of the retina;
Secondary cataract.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of developing cataracts you need to:

Quit smoking and alcohol.
Include fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet.
Limit your time in the open sun.
Wear glasses with a special coating that protects your eyes from ultraviolet radiation.
Take medications with lutein.
Treat all ophthalmological diseases.
Visit an ophthalmologist for prevention.

And also see how to treat cataracts without surgery with medications at the link.

Preventative measures cannot guarantee a 100% chance that cataracts will not occur. But taking care of your vision in this way can help preserve your vision for many years.

Prices for eye cataract treatment

Surgeries without hospitalization are performed in eye surgery centers and ophthalmology clinics. State clinics provide a certain list of free examination services. In simple cases, the operation can be performed in the eye department of a city hospital free of charge by an ophthalmologist.

In private clinics and centers, both examination and surgery are paid. The price of the operation varies depending on the location and status of the clinic. The average prices are as follows:

Diagnostic examination - 3000 rubles;
Repeated diagnostics and consultation with a doctor - 1000 rubles;
Consultation with a professor - 10,000 rubles;
Phacoemulsification surgery with lens installation - from 40,000 rubles;
Complicated cataract - from 50,000 rubles.

Cataracts of the eye are a serious disease that leads to complete loss of vision. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are necessary to prevent significant visual impairment. Conservative methods do not eliminate the cloudy environment of the lens.

Main symptoms and signs of eye cataracts

The most common symptom of cataracts is deterioration in visual acuity, the severity of which depends on the stage of the cataract. Therefore, with initial cataracts in the absence of a pronounced decrease in vision, patients often note the first symptoms of eye cataracts, such as a feeling of double vision of objects, the appearance of “spots” and “spots” in front of the eyes, a yellowish tint to the visible image, and difficulty reading. But visual acuity at the early stage of cataracts is practically not affected. The duration of the initial stage can last from 1-3 to 10-15 years.


Normal vision	Primary cataract

As the disease progresses, cataract symptoms increase. Decreased visual acuity, as the main symptom of cataracts, becomes prevalent. The patient begins to notice a significant decrease in visual acuity, and in the stage of mature cataract, objective vision is lost, including light perception. As the cataract matures, the color of the pupil, instead of black, gradually becomes grayish, grayish-white, or milky-white.


Immature cataract	Mature cataract

Prevention of cataracts

Everyone knows that disease is easier to prevent than to treat. But in the case of cataracts, it is important to consider that this disease is a manifestation of the aging of the human body. This is especially true for age-related cataracts.

Important preventive recommendations are: maintaining a healthy lifestyle - do not abuse alcohol, do not smoke, avoid negative shocks, do not overeat.

At first glance, these are general recommendations aimed at preventing all diseases, including cataracts. But medical practice proves: even if compliance with them does not completely protect a person from illness, then failure to comply with them greatly contributes to its occurrence.

There are also special preventive recommendations. These include: eye protection from microwave radiation and ultraviolet radiation; careful use of antiallergic and steroid drugs, contraceptives and antidepressants.

It is very important to monitor your blood sugar levels. Even the initial stage of diabetes mellitus requires mandatory treatment, since it is one of the main enemies of vision.

However, doctors note that there are no universal methods of prevention. Therefore, people over 65 years of age should definitely undergo an examination by an ophthalmologist and, if the lens becomes cloudy, the pathology should be treated in a timely manner. And younger people should visit a doctor at least 2 times a year.

Cataracts tend to constantly progress. And the more cloudy the lens becomes, the worse the vision will become. If treatment is not carried out on time, the disease will only reduce a person’s quality of life, and ultimately lead to complete loss of vision.

Despite the fact that modern medicine has found many methods to combat cataracts, it is better not to encounter this disease. Therefore, you need to take a responsible attitude towards your health and pay attention to even minor deviations. Nutrition should be balanced with microelements and vitamins for vision.

If you take proper care of your own health, then the need to visit various medical specialists will be minimal.

Signs of cataracts in the early stages

The first signs of cataract are individual for each person, and it is very difficult for the average person to independently determine the development of the disease, but the following pathognomonic symptoms are most often observed:

decreased night vision and blurred vision,
flickering, flickering before the eyes of stripes, strokes, “flies”, spots,
poor tolerance to bright light,
difficulties with visual work at close range (reading text, sewing),
double vision, distortion of the objects in question,
weakness of color perception, decreased contrast sensitivity,
difficulty in selecting points.

Cataract is an insidious disease, and only a highly qualified specialist can diagnose it. However, many patients do not pay attention to the first signs of cataracts, turning to an ophthalmologist only when severe clouding of the lens occurs and vision is reduced to the level of light perception.

Therefore, if you notice the first symptoms of eye cataracts, do not delay having your vision diagnosed by a competent specialist.

Prevention with folk remedies

It is important to remember that you can do without surgery if you start preventive measures even with minor visual impairment. Special eye drops, all kinds of physiotherapy techniques, exercises and massage, as well as traditional medicine proven over centuries, will help prevent the disease or significantly prolong the initial stage.

Prevention of the disease is aimed primarily at strengthening the immune system, supplying the patient’s body with a large amount of antioxidants and vitamins that help remove free radicals and prevent the progression of the process that destroys the lens.

It is very important to give up bad habits, maintain a proper balanced diet, and an adequate level of vitamin E in the body. The consumption of the following products is invaluable in preventive measures: tomatoes, peppers, spinach, oranges, tangerines, lemons, melons.

The prognosis is favorable; if the disease is detected at the initial stage of development, surgical intervention and clouding of the lens can be postponed for years. Therefore, visiting an ophthalmologist twice a year will help to promptly identify the first signs of the disease, reduce the risk of cataract progression and prevent complete loss of vision.

Cataract stages

The initial stage is the formation of minor streak-like opacities, most of the eye remains transparent.
The maturing stage – an increase in areas of opacities, deterioration of vision, and possibly an increase in intraocular pressure.
The mature stage is an almost complete loss of vision, the patient sees only silhouettes and objects in front of his face. The pupil takes on a milky tint.

In order to avoid the development of an advanced stage of cataracts, when the only option is surgery, you need to carefully monitor the condition of your vision.

What is the nature of cataracts?

To fully understand the mechanism of disease development, it is important to understand that protein compounds are present in the biochemical composition of the lens. They have certain physical, chemical and biological properties, the balance of which ensures the crystal transparency of the lens.

With age, changes occur in the body, accompanied by the process of denaturation of protein compounds. In this case, proteins lose their original properties due to molecular rearrangements. The protein compound in the lens, undergoing these changes, darkens in the manner of egg white during cooking; this biological process is irreversible.

Cataract

We want to have good vision. However, constant work at the computer, not always favorable weather conditions or environmental conditions, and stress have a negative impact on our visual functions. Modern doctors urge us to regularly check our vision, so that, if we cannot avoid serious diseases, then at least stop them at an early stage. Probably every person has heard about pathologies such as myopia, astigmatism or conjunctivitis. But there are also much more serious diseases that can lead to complete blindness, for example: glaucoma, trachoma or cataracts. Not many people know what it is today.

What is a cataract?

Eye cataract is a dangerous ophthalmological disease, which is characterized by a decrease in the transparency of the lens, leading to a gradual decrease in vision. It plays a major role in focusing light onto the retina, located at the back of the eye. The retina, in turn, converts light into nerve impulses, which the brain transforms into visual images. The cloudiness characteristic of cataracts distorts light, preventing it from passing through. The lens itself is located behind the iris and is completely invisible to the naked eye until it becomes cloudy.

For this reason, cataracts are often not diagnosed in a timely manner, as vision deteriorates gradually. As a rule, this disease affects both eyes at the same time, but in one of them it can progress faster. The word “cataract” itself comes from the Greek “cataractos”, which means waterfall. The meaning of the term is that vision becomes blurred, and a person sees the image of objects as if through a stream of water, that is, distorted. This comparison helps ophthalmologists more clearly convey the disease to their patients when they ask the question about cataracts: “What is it?”

Causes

As a rule, the main reason for the formation of eye cataracts is considered to be general aging of the body - an inevitable process that cannot be influenced. The structure of the lens is such that over time it can wear out and become cloudy. In addition, the natural process of cataract formation is often aggravated by other factors, including:

refractive errors or other ophthalmic diseases;
various injuries to the visual organs;
negative effects of ultraviolet rays;
long-term use of corticosteroid drugs;
presence of bad habits (smoking or drinking alcohol);
complication of certain diseases of the endocrine system;
genetic predisposition.

In addition, today there is a congenital form of cataract of the eye. What it is is clear from the name. The only difference between it and the traditional form of the disease is that the congenital form is formed at the stage of intrauterine development of the baby. It can be caused by treatment of a pregnant woman with antibiotics, as well as by such infections as measles, rubella, toxoplasmosis, polio and syphilis.

Symptoms of cataracts

After 40 years, many people experience decreased vision. This is a natural process that in many cases leads to presbyopia - age-related farsightedness. With it, it becomes very difficult to see objects located at a close distance. However, if cataracts are added to this disease, then visual functions are lost several times faster.

The most common symptoms of cataracts are:

distortion of color perception, loss of image brightness;
blurred images that cannot be corrected by glasses or lenses;
deterioration of visibility at night;
distortion of the outlines of objects and duality;
increased light sensitivity of the eye at night;
difficulties while reading or working at the computer;
blurred image and flickering before the eyes.

One of the earliest symptoms of cataracts is the occurrence of double vision in one eye while the other is closed. Another, most characteristic sign of the disease is a temporary improvement in vision. For example, a person who was previously forced to wear glasses or contact lenses refuses them. However, this phenomenon is not permanent and soon visual functions deteriorate again.

Gender factor

According to modern researchers, women are much more likely than men to develop cataracts. Final conclusions as to why exactly the symptoms of this disease appear more often in the fairer sex have not yet been made, however, most likely they lie in the hormonal characteristics of the body. So, according to experts, one of the factors is estrogen deficiency that occurs during postmenopause. Research conducted by scientists provides evidence that estrogen may have a protective function in the development of cataracts.

Cataract stages

Based on research, ophthalmologists distinguish four stages of cataracts. Each of them has its own characteristics and causes certain harm to the human body. Depending on what symptoms a particular patient complains about, the following stages are distinguished.

Initial is a slight deterioration in visual function, characteristic of one or both eyes. At this stage, using an ophthalmoscope, you can see small streak-like opacities of the lens, leading from the periphery to the center.
Immature, characterized by more significant loss of vision, in which spots periodically appear before the eyes and visible objects become blurred.
Mature, in which vision deteriorates to the level of light sensations. At this stage, the lens, as a rule, is already completely affected by opacities;
Overripe, visible to the naked eye. The lens becomes milky white. The only solution in such a situation is surgical intervention.

According to ophthalmologists, cataracts can progress from the initial to the overmature stage within four to six years. According to statistics, this development of the disease is observed in 70% of patients.

Types of cataracts

Depending on the degree and location of lens opacities, modern experts distinguish the following types of cataracts.

Nuclear, in which the clouding is localized in the nucleus of the lens. As a rule, this type progresses quite slowly, and the patient may notice worsening myopia during this time.
Cortical, which is characterized by the formation of opacities in the substance of the lens itself. The most striking sign by which a doctor accurately diagnoses this type is the patient’s complaint that he sees surrounding objects blurry.
Posterior capsular, characterized by opacification formed under the posterior capsule of the lens. This type of cataract usually leads to a sharp decrease in visual function.

Diagnosis of cataracts

Only a qualified specialist can diagnose cataracts. Therefore, if you notice symptoms such as blurred vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity, we recommend that you immediately make an appointment with a doctor. To make a diagnosis, a specialist can use the following methods:

examine the retina of the eye with pupil dilation;
visometry - the study of visual acuity using a special table and a sign projector;
biomicroscopy is a procedure performed using a slit lamp (by focusing light on the lens, an optical section is formed, making it easier to find the smallest deviations).

Modern diagnostic devices and improved techniques make it possible to recognize the symptoms of cataracts in the initial stages.

Treatment of cataracts and possible contraindications

Cataracts are a dangerous ophthalmological disease that requires mandatory treatment. As soon as the first symptoms are detected, conservative procedures are carried out, for which special drops are used. However, despite the fact that they have a beneficial effect on the eyes and inhibit the development of cataracts, they are not able to completely get rid of this disease. The only method of getting rid of this pathology is surgery, the purpose of which is to remove the damaged lens and replace it with an artificial sample. As a rule, such operations are performed quite quickly and do not cause complications. In most cases, vision can be completely restored, and patients claim that their eyes not only see better, but also experience much less discomfort.

There are no absolute contraindications for cataract removal, which means that the operation can be performed at any age. However, there are so-called relative contraindications, which the doctor performing the operation must inquire about before starting the operation. These include:

diabetes;
hypertensive heart disease;
congenital and acquired cardiac diseases;
chronic diseases.

These contraindications must be taken into account during preparation for surgery, however, the presence of diabetes or hypertension cannot be an unambiguous prohibition for surgical intervention. In any case, the final decision should only be made by a qualified specialist.

Complications due to cataracts

As you know, any surgical intervention can cause certain complications. When treating cataracts, the percentage of postoperative problems is minimal, but they cannot be completely excluded. For example, one of the complications may be increased pressure inside the eye, called glaucoma. Extracted cataracts can cause swelling of the cornea, which occurs due to a decrease in the functions of the epithelium due to surgery. Another complication is astigmatism, which can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. During surgery, an infection can get into the eyes, for this reason patients are prescribed antibiotic drops. The most common phenomenon is endophthalmitis, the symptoms of which are redness, pain in the eyes, and increased sensitivity to light.

Prevention of cataracts

So, we have examined in detail what cataracts are. The symptoms of this disease, of course, cause discomfort. How to protect yourself from this disease? Unfortunately, today there is no effective way to prevent eye cataracts, but taking certain actions can help reduce the factors leading to its development. For example, wearing sunglasses will reduce the risk of exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the eyes.

There is an opinion that taking vitamins and minerals can prevent the development of diseases such as cataracts. This assumption, although it does not have scientific evidence, is true. Try to diversify your diet with the following vitamins:

retinol (vitamin A), which is found in parsley, wild garlic, carrots, rowan and liver;
lutein, found in spinach, broccoli, oranges, peaches, beets, pomegranates or red grapes;
riboflavin (vitamin B2), found in pine nuts, honeysuckle, beef and pork liver;
cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), found in octopus meat, chum salmon, goose and duck eggs.

Now you know a lot about cataracts. We really hope that the information presented in this article will help you promptly consult an ophthalmologist if the first signs of the disease are detected.

How quickly does a cataract mature?

The early stages of progression of the pathological process often go unnoticed due to the absence of any symptoms. This is explained by two features of the development of cataracts:

the pathology develops slowly; several years may pass from the moment of its occurrence to the appearance of the first clinical signs;
in most cases, clouding of the lens begins at the edges, that is, the affected areas are outside the optical zone, the clarity of vision remains the same up to a certain point.

The process of cataracts progressing to a severe stage, loss of vision, can take several years. During this period, vision will gradually deteriorate, leading to overripe cataracts. In this case, the patient only has a feeling of light (patients understand whether it is dark or light around). At the final stages of pathology progression, the color of the pupil changes, which is visible even with the naked eye (from black to various shades of white or light gray).

Stages of senile cataracts

The following stages can be distinguished during the course of the disease:

Initial cataract.

The lens begins to become cloudy from the periphery, the pathology does not cover the optical zone.

Immature cataract.

Turbidity propagates towards the center of the optical zone. Signs of decreased visual function of the eye begin to appear.

Mature cataract.

The entire lens is cloudy. The patient's vision is present at the level of sensation of a light source.

Overripe cataract.

Disintegration (necrosis) of the external tissues of the lens, liquefaction of its internal substance, and the lens acquiring a milky color.

How soon does a cataract mature?

According to data, up to 12% of patients with cataracts suffer from rapid progression of the pathology. In them, only 4-6 years pass from the onset of lens damage to severe clouding of its tissues, at the end of which urgent surgical intervention is necessary.

In the majority of patients (up to 70%), cataracts mature within 5-10 years. In 15% of people it progresses very slowly and surgery may be needed after 10-15 years.

When to go to the doctor

Cataracts in their early manifestations can be very diverse. It all depends on the specific form of the disease and the presence of concomitant eye diseases. In some cases, distant vision deteriorates first, in others, near vision. If at the same time a person has age-related farsightedness, he may even feel a temporary improvement - cataracts act as glasses and compensate for the disorder.

Sometimes with cataracts, dark spots appear in the field of vision, glare and halos around the light source, which is painful to look at. An important sign may be rapid deterioration of vision in a person with myopia, if it was previously stable.

Normal vision and vision with cataracts

But there is no specific symptom that would clearly indicate cataracts in the early stages of development.

Therefore, you need to go to the doctor if there is any noticeable change in vision - both when it worsens and when it improves.

The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance of success.

How are cataracts treated?

The only way to eliminate cataracts and restore vision is surgery. During this procedure, doctors replace the clouded lens with an artificial one. Moreover, this can be done free of charge under the Program of State Guarantees for the Free Provision of Compulsory Medical Insurance to Citizens.

No drug can cure cataracts or even stop their development.

As scientists have found out Multivitamin/Mineral supplements and prevention of chronic disease: executive summary, taking vitamins and minerals is not even able to reduce the rate of development of the disease. In some cases, it is possible to improve vision with glasses, but this is only a temporary measure.

Diagnosis of cataracts

Examining a patient with lens opacities is not an easy task. With severe opacities, it is often impossible to assess the condition of the vitreous and retina using standard tests. Therefore, ophthalmologists conduct additional studies using specialized devices.

Methods for diagnosing and studying cataracts:

visometry (method for determining visual acuity);
ophthalmoscopy (examination of the fundus of the eye);
perimetry (visual field test);
tonometry (checking intraocular pressure);
biomicroscopy (examination of the anterior segment of the eyeball);
tests for entoptic phenomena.

Additional methods for diagnosing cataracts:

refractometry (determination of eye refraction);
ophthalmometry (measurement of corneal curvature);
checking the anterior-posterior axes of the eyeballs (ultrasound scanning in A-mode);
electrophysiological tests (testing electrical sensitivity, studying the lability of the optic nerve, determining the frequency of flicker fusion).

Additional methods prescribed according to indications:

ultrasound scanning in B-mode;
densitometry (bone density analysis);
ultrasound and endothelial biomicroscopy;
laboratory tests.

When conducting an ophthalmological examination, attention should be paid to biomicroscopy. The study allows you to study the condition of the eye using a slit lamp (a special microscope that makes it possible to study an optical section of the lens). Biomicroscopy allows you to study in detail and at high magnification the structure of the elements of the eye, identify the localization of lens clouding, and assess the degree of displacement of the element.

Entoptic tests are of great importance in the diagnosis of cataracts. They help to assess the functionality of the neuroreceptor apparatus of the retina in case of severe cataracts without examining the fundus.

In the process of studying a specific case of cataract, the doctor will calculate the strength of the intraocular lens (artificial lens), the implantation of which helps cure the pathology. Ophthalmologists have special formulas for calculating lens power. The initial indicators are ophthalmometry, namely the refractive power of the cornea and the anterior-posterior axes.

Additional diagnostic methods are designed to select the surgical technique and lens selection. B-mode ultrasound is prescribed for severe opacification to determine the location, nature and extent of distribution of structural changes in the cavity of the eyeball.

Laboratory tests are usually ordered before a patient is admitted to the hospital. Usually you need to donate blood for general and biochemical tests, as well as urine. The patient is tested for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis. An x-ray of the chest and sinuses is also required.

Before surgery, you should obtain permission from your physician, dentist, and otolaryngologist. The opinions of other specialists are taken according to indications. In this way, the ophthalmologist identifies all contraindications for surgery and calculates the likelihood of postoperative complications.

How to prevent the development of cataracts

The probability that the average Russian will develop cataracts after the age of 80 is Analysis of the progression of cataracts in Russia, taking into account data on natural mortality of the population, 80%. Getting into the remaining 20% is difficult, but there are some things you can do. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends following these guidelines for Cataract in Adult Eye.

Stop smoking.
Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV filters.
Take a responsible approach to treating existing diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes.
Protect your eyes from injury and infection.

Remember: the sooner you undertake cataract treatment, the more successful it will be. It is impossible to diagnose this disease at home. So, if you notice any changes in your vision, consult your doctor immediately.

Senile cataract

Among senile cataracts there are:

cortical;
subcapsular;
nuclear.

In the cortical and subcapsular form, the patient's vision decreases gradually. At the initial stage, the patient’s main complaint is the flickering of “spots” before the eyes, double vision of objects, a veil before the eyes. The cortical form is characterized by a decrease in central vision already at the initial stage. A person sees as if through foggy glass.

Contraindications to cataract removal

Surgical removal of cataracts and replacement of the eye lens with an intraocular lens is the only effective method of treating the disease. However, there are a number of absolute and relative contraindications in which the operation is considered impossible:

Infectious eye diseases;
increased intraocular pressure in decompensated glaucoma;
During pregnancy and breastfeeding;
exacerbation of various somatic pathologies;
severe forms of diabetes mellitus;
oncological processes, especially those accompanied by the formation of tumors and metastases;
progression of multiple sclerosis to severe stages.

Features of the further development of the disease

The immature degree is characterized by clouding of the central region of the lens. Thus, visual acuity is already reduced.

The disease at this stage manifests itself as follows:

a person, looking at objects, sees them forked and cloudy;
sometimes the pressure inside the eye increases due to the fact that the lens increases in volume;
the cloudy zone expands;
a whitish tint appears in the iris and pupil;
colors are not perceived as bright, and the image itself becomes yellowish;
there is a hazy haze before your eyes.

When the cataract takes on a mature form, the opacification is diagnosed as uniform and definitive. The color of the pupil is white or dirty gray. The patient no longer distinguishes the objects around him.

Although he can see his hands if he brings them close to his face. Only light perception remains, but even this will disappear without treatment.

Such a worsening of the condition does not mean that the situation is irreparable. There are ways in which your eyes can be healed.

In the presence of an overripe form, on the one hand, the volume of the lens may decrease because moisture is lost. In addition, folds form on its capsule. On the other hand, the lens may expand, causing problems with the outflow of eye fluid. The result is an increase in pressure inside the eye.

The main symptoms that identify overmature cataracts include:

absolute and irreversible loss of vision;
covering the pupil with a milky-white film;
all those manifestations of the disease that are present at the initial stage.

The symptoms of the disease are quite specific. And the first signs are a serious reason to immediately seek medical help. An experienced ophthalmologist will be able to determine cataracts based on test results and draw up a detailed treatment plan.

This disease is being diagnosed more and more in young people every year. But still, ultraviolet rays accumulated over many years and impaired metabolism are the main reasons that provoke such a dangerous disease in the elderly.

In adults, the pathology can be the result of nicotine addiction, heredity, eye damage, as well as diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. Since there are several types of diseases of the organs of vision, in each case peculiar manifestations will be noted.

So, if cataract:

Nuclear. The central area of the lens becomes cloudy. Initially, the patient may complain of myopia. It is better for him to read if the book is as close to his face as possible. The phenomenon is temporary, so after it disappears, there is a thickening of the lens and weakening of vision, especially when the lighting is poor. In the future, if the disease is not stopped, it is difficult to distinguish between blue and red colors.
Cortical. The cloudiness extends to the outer layers of the lens. Gradual progression leads to damage to the central part, which makes it difficult for light rays to pass through. Vision, both near and far, deteriorates.
Subcapsular. Cataracts occur in the area underneath the posterior capsule of the lens. Usually it is unilateral, but it can also be bilateral. Reading is difficult. Bright light interferes with normal vision. At night, so-called halos are visible around the light source.
Congenital. It may, for example, be detected in a child if the expectant mother suffered from rubella during pregnancy. The reasons may also be metabolic in nature. In this case, vision often remains quite normal, which is why there is no need for urgent surgery.

Choosing vision correction technology

Only an ophthalmologist can choose the right artificial lens (intraocular lens - IOL) and decide on the possibility of surgery. There are several types of IOLs:

Monofocal lenses. Provide the best quality of vision at a certain distance (near or far). After implantation of such lenses, patients must use glasses for reading or distance vision.
Multifocal lenses. Allow patients to see clearly at different distances (near, intermediate and distance) and reduce or eliminate the need to wear glasses after surgery.
Toric lenses. Allows patients with cataracts to obtain high visual acuity who also require correction of the original corneal astigmatism.

Get a complete vision examination at Lege Artis Eye Clinic.
It's time to correct your vision!

Make an appointment by phone:

8(804) 333-02-14 Free call

Cataracts and its causes

What is it and why does it occur? Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye. Any violation of the integrity of the capsule entails the development of turbidity.

What causes the disease? The causes of occurrence depend on the type of cataract:

Senile (senile). The most common type of cataract. It is a process of natural aging of the lens and develops in adults after 40 years of age. Senile cataracts occur due to denaturation (destruction) of the protein molecules that make up the main substance of the lens.
Congenital. It develops as a result of mutations in the dominant genes responsible for the development of the lens. Mutations can be caused by the impact of unfavorable factors on a woman’s body during pregnancy (alcohol, ionizing radiation, rubella, Rhesus conflict).
Traumatic. Any injury involving the penetration of a foreign body into the lens or damage to its capsule leads to protein denaturation and the development of opacities.
Toxic. It occurs due to exposure to harmful chemicals on the body, most often in various industries.
Secondary. Does not apply to true cataracts. Secondary cataract is clouding of the artificial lens of the eye after extraction of a “primary” cataract.

The importance of psychosomatics for cataracts has not been proven.

Notes

[www.optometry.co.uk/uploads/articles/10f51a3c1d3ebf7b0754b5d39e12bf4f_hammond20010209.pdf][unauthorized source?
1603 days ]
[www.iapb.org/vision-2020/what-is-avoidable-blindness/cataract Cataract The condition responsible for 48% of world blindness] (English). IAPB. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
↑ 12
[www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1705965/ VISION 2020: THE CATARACT CHALLENGE] // Community Eye Health. 2000; 13(34): 17–19. PMC1705965 (English)
[www.who.int/blindness/causes/en/ Causes of blindness and visual impairment] / WHO (English)
[www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002957.htm Cataract removal] / Medline (English)
[www.catarakta.info/%D1%85%D0%B8%D1%80%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D0% BA%D0%BE%D0%B5%20%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5%20%D0%BA%D0%B0% D1%82%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BAD1%82%D1%8B/ Cataract surgery][ unauthorized source?
1603 days ]
[medportal.ru/mednovosti/news/2015/07/23/509drops/ Eye drops have been developed for the treatment of cataracts - MedNews - MedPortal.ru]
www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature14650.html doi:10.1038/nature14650 … “.. lanosterol treatment could reduce cataract severity and increase transparency”
[mv-cataracta.ru/view_en.php?art=29 Surgical treatment of cataracts]. Retrieved October 1, 2019.[ non-authoritative source?
1603 days ]
[ria.ru/science/20160310/1387623650.html Scientists for the first time restored the lens of the eye using stem cells | RIA News]

Types of symptoms

Cataract is a disease that is completely independent of age. Young people often suffer from it too. Of course, the disease does not arise overnight. The decline in visual functions occurs gradually. Therefore, in principle, there is time to react correctly to what is happening. Otherwise, the disease will lead to blindness and then the only salvation is surgery. Initial cataracts are completely curable with medications.

The disease has stages through which it passes during its development. Thus, the signs of cataracts at different stages will be appropriate.

There are stages:

initial;
immature;
mature;
overripe.

Initial cataract is characterized by the development of clouding of the lens from the periphery, while the transparency of the center remains. Usually there are no obvious deteriorations. There is also no pain felt. Symptoms of cataracts in the early stages can be different for everyone, as individual characteristics of the body play a role. But still, the disease at the initial stage also has common manifestations.

More often:

Vision becomes blurred.
The so-called twilight vision deteriorates.
Spots, stripes, and streaks appear before the eyes.
Bright light brings severe discomfort.
Reading is difficult, in particular, it is difficult to distinguish small letters.
The objects in question are distorted.
Seeing double.
Color perception weakens.
It's difficult to choose glasses.

Patients primarily complain about double objects, spots and spots in front of their eyes, and problems that arise while reading, since the contrast between the background and the font is disturbed. Visible images have a yellowish tint. Although at an early stage, visual acuity remains at the same level.

The most important symptom that indicates the beginning of a cataract and should cause alarm is when, with the onset of darkness, the eyes begin to see poorly.

Drivers who have to drive at night are especially affected. Therefore, if such problems exist, you need to urgently examine your eyes by an ophthalmologist.

Another initial sign that should never be ignored is the splitting and blurring of object contours. At first the symptom is mild, but later it will intensify. The problem cannot be solved with glasses.

Manifestations of this kind should also be alarming:

If the patient looks at any light source and sees a rainbow halo around it. The reason is the scattering of rays in the clouded lens. They do not reach the retina.
Twilight vision is more acute than daylight vision. This means that the clouding process began from the central part.
The veil prevents you from seeing. The colors become faded and have a yellowish tinge.
In normal lighting, objects are not so clearly visible, so there is always a need for another light source.
Sometimes the condition is accompanied by incipient farsightedness or myopia.
There is a change in the color of the pupil. He becomes pale.

The duration of the initial stage can be different: a year, 10 years. As eye cataracts mature, symptoms also progress.

It is worth repeating that it is better to fight the disease at the very beginning, because then there will be no need for surgery, and the eyes will function normally again.