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All You Need To Know About Different Cataract Types!

Your eyes are the most vital blessing of nature. The colors in your life are because of your eyes. And usually, people realize their importance when their eyes have badly deteriorated. As a result of cataracts, many people become blind. To avoid this problem, you should know the different cataract types.

Cataracts are white patches on the lens of the eye caused by an underlying eye condition. These patches grow more prominent with time and cause blurry vision. There is a variety of cataracts depending upon the patch present on the lens. Sometimes it appears on the sides of the lens, sometimes in the center or at the back of the lens. If not treated properly, it leads to blindness. Usually, it develops in one eye at a time.

Symptoms Of Cataract:

 There are many symptoms of cataracts in the eyes, but some are very particular that help in diagnosing this problem.

  • The vision that is blurred or foggy
  • Problems seeing at night or in low light
  • The lights are too bright and glaring for someone sensitive to light
  • Seeing a ‘halo’ around bright light
  • Everything looks more ‘washed out.’
  • Fading or yellowing of colors
  • Can’t read in low light
  • Double vision in the affected eye
  • Nearsightedness

What Does Vision Look Like With A Cataract?

 The vision of the person having a cataract starts blurring. It seems to have a foggy and cloudy vision. This is the time you need to visit your eye specialist and go for further treatment.

What Causes Cataracts To Develop?

 It is caused by the deposition of proteins in the eyes. It usually happens in old age. It may also be present by birth in some children that means congenital cataract and becomes the cause of child blindness. Moreover, it can also appear after other eye surgeries and injuries. Family history and some diseases like diabetes and hypertension are also risk factors that contribute to the development of cataracts. The use of medicines like corticosteroids, statins for high cholesterol, etc., can also cause the development of cataracts. Smoking and alcohol consumption are also considered as the causative factor for this problem.

 Here are the different cataract types;

Cataract Types:

 There are different types of cataracts. They have unique symptoms that distinguish them from each other.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataract:

 It appears at the back of the lens, in the path of light. A small, opaque area appears at the beginning of this type of cataract. In addition to reducing your vision in bright light, posterior subcapsular cataract causes glare or halos around lights around midnight.

 Cortical Cataract:

 Cortical cataract appears at edges of the lens. And gradually, it moves towards the center in a spoke-like manner. The lens edges are known as the cortex, and this cataract is named so because of its position at the cortex of the lens.

 Cortical Cataract Types:

 There are two types of cortical cataract types;

  • Posterior cortical cataract
  • Anterior cortical cataract

A posterior cortical cataract is when the opacity occurs in the layer that is under the lens capsule. An anterior cortical cataract develops in the front of the lens capsule or sometimes inside it.

Nuclear Cataract:

 A nuclear cataract appears as an abundant amount of yellowish color on the lens. It develops like light scattering affecting the center of the lens. And if the center of the lens (nucleus) starts getting cloudy, yellow, and hard, the condition is known as nuclear sclerosis.

Treatment of Cataract Types:

 Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts. Usually, surgery is done when the cataract is completely developed and affected your vision. During the surgery, the doctor removes the blurred lens with a new plastic intraocular lens. This helps to regain your clear vision after the surgery.

Types of Cataract Surgery:

 Cataract surgery involves two different types:

  • traditional cataract surgery, and.
  • laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Prevention of Cataracts:

 It can’t be prevented because the exact cause is not known. But regular checkups during older ages and healthy activities (eye-care activities) can delay the onset or progression of this condition. Patients with diabetes and hypertension, especially those taking a statin medication for high cholesterol, are advised to have a checkup of their eyes at least twice a year. So that any signs and symptoms appearing in the eyes can be detected at early stages. Family history is also a significant factor, that’s why you should consult your doctor regularly after the age of 50.

Nutritious food and vitamin supplements containing Vitamin E and A can also help in preventing cataracts.

After glaucoma, cataract is the leading cause of blindness if left untreated. In developing countries, where there is a lack of medical facilities, cataracts can be dangerous as they are not treated at the early stages.

It is better to save your vision before it’s too late!

Also Read: 7 Eye Exercises to Correct Astigmatism Vision

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Vivek

Vivek is a writing enthusiast fond of healthy and happy living. He believes Knowledge gets better when shared. So he founded The Mindful Bytes as a platform for people who love to read and write anything that has to do with Health, Tech, Business, Finance, and Lifestyle.

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