Cataracts symptoms treatment
Description.A cataract is any opacity developing in the crystalline lens of the eye, or in its envelope. Cataracts form for numerous reasons. They include:
Often, genetic factors cause congenital cataracts. It may play a role in predisposing someone to cataracts. Cataracts symptoms treatment Occurrence of cataracts.Expect some cataract formation, in any person over the age of 70. This is true for fully half of all people between the ages of 65 and 74. About 70%, of those over 75, have some cataract formation. Cataracts are produced by eye injury or physical trauma.Traditional treatment of cataracts.Cataracts are either partial or complete, stationary or progressive, hard or soft. An early technique to remove cataracts was couching. This involved using a thin needle, or stick, to remove the clouding.This technique is known to have existed in Roman times. It continued to be used throughout the Middle Ages. It continues to be used in underprivilleged, economically underdeveloped countries today. Cataracts symptoms treatment Cataracts symptoms treatment.The most effective, and common, treatment is surgery, to remove the cloudy lens. There are two types of surgery for removing cataracts. They are extra-capsular and intra-capsular surgery.Extra-capsular surgery removes the lens, but leaves the majority of the lens capsule intact. Sometimes, high frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) are used to break up the lens, before extraction. Intra-capsular surgery removes the entire lens of the eye, including the lens capsule. However, it is rarely performed in modern practice. The lens is replaced with a plastic lens (an intraocular lens implant), which remains permanently in the eye. Cataracts symptoms treatment Cataract operations.Mostly, cataract operations are performed using a local anaesthetic. The patient is allowed to go home the same day. Complications, after cataract surgery, are uncommon. Many people (up to 50%) develop a posterior capsular opacification, after initial cataract surgery.This is a thickening, and clouding, of the lens capsule (which was left behind when the cataract was removed). It is easily corrected. A laser is used to make holes in the capsule, for the person to see through. Retinal detachment is an uncommon complication, of cataract surgery. Other cataract options.Previously, polymethylmethacrylate was used as the lens material. With advances, silicone acrylate is used, which is a soft material. It allows the lens to be folded, and injected, into the eye, through a smaller incision.Acrylic lenses are used with small incisions. They are a better choice, for people with a history of uveitis, or are at high risk of retinal detachment. Acrylic is not always an ideal choice, due to its added expense. Xanga Myspace LiveJournal | free pics images | free My space Backrounds |