Cataract

Cataract is a cloudiness in the lens of the eye that causes vision problems.


CAUSE
In many cases, the cause is unknown.


Cataracts usually occur in the elderly and can be lowered.

Cataract formation is accelerated by environmental factors, such as smoking or other toxic materials.

Cataracts can be caused by:

• Eye injury
• Metabolic disease (eg diabetes)
• Certain medications (eg corticosteroids).

Cataract kongenitalis is found in babies at birth (or some time later).
Kongenitalis Cataracts can be hereditary (inherited in an autosomal dominant) or can be caused by:

- congenital infections, such as German measles

- Associated with metabolic diseases, such as galaktosemia.
Kongenitalis cataract risk factors are:
- an inherited metabolic disease
- family history of cataracts in
- a viral infection in the mother when the baby is still in the womb.

Cataracts in adults is usually associated with aging.

Cataracts in adults are grouped into:

1. Immature cataracts: lens still has a clear section
2. Mature cataracts: the lens is completely opaque
3. Cataract hipermatur: there are parts of the lens surface that has seeped through the lens capsule and can cause inflammation of other eye structures.

Most of the lens a bit murky after the age of 60 years.
Most patients experienced similar changes in both eyes, although changes in one eye may be worse than the other eye.
Many cataract patients who experience only mild vision problems and was not aware that they suffer from cataracts.

Factors affecting the occurrence of cataracts are:

- low blood calcium levels
- diabetes
- Long-term use of corticosteroids
- various inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases.
- environmental factors (trauma, radiation, ultraviolet light).

SYMPTOMS

All rays entering the eye must first pass through the lens. Therefore, every part lenses that block, deflect or spread the beam can cause vision problems.
Severity of visual impairment depends on the location and maturity of the cataract.

Cataracts develop slowly and not cause pain accompanied by vision problems that emerge gradually.

Impaired vision can be:
- difficulty seeing at night
- see the circle around the light or the light was blinding eye
- decrease in visual acuity (even in the daytime).

Other symptoms are:

- frequently changing glasses
- double vision in one eye.

Sometimes cataract lens causing swelling and increased pressure within the eye (glaucoma), which Bosa cause pain.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis based on symptoms and eye examination results.

Diagnostic tests commonly performed are:

• Standard eye examination, including examination by slit lamp
• Ultrasound eye in preparation for cataract surgery.

TREATMENT

The only treatment for cataracts is surgery.
Surgery is performed if the patient can not see well with glasses help to perform daily kegitannya.
Some patients may feel better eyesight simply by replacing the glass eyes, use eye glass bifokus stronger or use a magnifying lens.
If the cataract does not interfere with surgery is usually not necessary.

Cataract surgery consisted of removal of the lens and replace it with an artificial lens.

1. Appointment lens

There are 2 kinds of surgery that can be used to lift the lens:
- Surgery ekstrakapsuler: appointed by leaving the lens capsule.
To soften the lens, making it easier making the lens through a small incision, use of high frequency sound waves (fakoemulsifikasi).
- Surgery intrakapsuler: lens and its capsule was removed. At this time intrakapsuler surgery is rarely performed.

2. Replacement lenses

Patients who have undergone cataract surgery will usually get an artificial lens in place of lenses that have been raised.
This artificial lens is a plastic sheet called intraocular lenses, intraocular lens is usually inserted into the lens capsule inside the eye.

Cataract surgery is often performed and generally safe. After the surgery are rare infection or bleeding in the eye that can cause serious vision problems.

To prevent infection, reduce inflammation and speed healing, for several weeks after surgery are given eye drops or ointment.
To protect the eyes from injury, patients should use protective eye glasses or made ​​of metal until the surgical wound is completely healed.

PREVENTION

Primary prevention is to control diseases associated with cataracts and avoiding the factors that accelerate the formation of cataracts.


Using the sunglasses when outdoors during the day can reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays that enter the eye.


Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of cataracts.

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