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What is Cataract?

Overview
Cataract is a disease where the eye's lens becomes cloudy, resulting in decreased vision. It is primarily caused by age-related changes, and many people over the age of 60 experience some form of symptoms.
Main Causes
  • Age-related changes(part of the natural aging process)
  • Injury (traumatic cataract)
  • Diabetes (metabolic cataract)
  • Long-term use of steroid medications
  • Congenital (present from birth)
  • Exposure to radiation or ultraviolet (UV) light
Main Symptoms
  • Blurry vision (as if looking through fog)
  • Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Colors appear yellowish
  • Vision does not improve even with new glasses
  • Decreased night vision
Diagnosis Methods
Visual acuity test
Slit-lamp microscope examination (to observe lens cloudiness at an eye clinic)
Treatment Options
Early stage: Eye drops (can only slow progression)
Advanced stage: Surgery is the only fundamental treatment
  • Removal of the cloudy lens and insertion of an intraocular lens (IOL)
  • Day surgery is common and highly safe
Important Notes
If left untreated, it can lead to blindness, but vision recovery is often possible with treatment
If other eye conditions (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy) are present, post-surgery vision recovery may be limited
Postoperative care is crucial (to prevent inflammation and infections)