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Tips on how to diagnose and treat cataracts

Not all eye problems lead to cataracts. One can assume that all issues that occur in the eye are cataracts. Although virtually all eye problems have similar symptoms, one needs to do some series of tests before concluding if one is battling with cataracts or other eye problems. The challenge here is that it is expedient for you to visit your doctor before taking any medications. Several people have entirely lost their sight because they assumed they had cataracts, and they proceeded on self-medications. What are we saying in essence? We are saying that, if at all you will need to do cataract surgery, let it be a piece of information from your eye doctor based on the series of tests he has done to examine the condition of your eyes.

However, this write-up is here to help every individual have an idea of how to diagnose and treat cataracts. The information provided here will help you know the exact time to visit the doctor, and you will be to affirm it when the doctor tells you that you’ll be going for cataract surgery. Let us start from scratch. We will begin by explaining what it means for one to have a cataract. 

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a thick, cloudy area that forms in the lens area of the eye. Cataract surgery usually starts when proteins in the eye form clumps that prevent the lens from sending clear images to the retina. And once clear images are not being sent to the retina, then there’s a problem. Remember, the retina works by converting light that comes through the lens into signals. Therefore, when the lens cannot send explicit images to the retina, the problem begins to develop gradually, and it will eventually interfere with one’s vision. And if it has not been taken care of, one can end up with a cataract in both eyes. Please note that cataracts don’t usually form at the same time. It will start with one eye; if it is not treated on time, it will gradually move to the other eye. If you have a cataract, there’s nothing to worry about. Research has shown that several people are battling cataracts in the world. Once you’ve been diagnosed with a cataract, you will need to undergo cataract surgery, and your site will be fully restored. Therefore, there’s no cause for alarm.

What are the symptoms of cataracts? 

There’s a tendency you’ll need cataract surgery if you see these symptoms:

  1. Blurry vision: things begin to look cloudy or dim. You will find it so hard to do some daily activities like reading and driving.
  2. Trouble seeing at night: It may later move to the essence that you will not be able to see clearly in the night. Some nighttime activities like driving become impossible.
  3. Seeing colors as faded: If you have a cataract, all colors become faded to you. At some point, you will not be able to tell the difference between colors again.
  4. Increased sensitivity to glare.
  5. Another symptom of cataracts is that you may be feeling that you need to change your glasses, that is, if you’ve been using one.  

How to diagnose a cataract

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Remember, we said if you notice the above-listed symptoms, the first to visit an ophthalmologist. Don t allow anyone to tell you that what you need to do is go for cataract surgery without a series of tests being done to examine the condition of your eyes. It is expedient for you to know that your eye doctor must perform a comprehensive test on your watch to check for cataracts. The test that will be carried out to examine you must include an eye chart test. The eye chart test will help to prevent your vision at different distances. Not only that, your eye pressure must be measured as well. Click here to read about tips on how to fight cataracts in babies and children.

The most common tonometry test uses a trouble-free puff of air to level your cornea and test your eye pressure. Also, don’t be scared when you see your doctor putting drops in your eyes. This will make your pupils bigger, and it will make it easier for him to check the optic nerve and retina at the back of your vision for damage. Please note that your doctor might conduct some tests to check your sensitivity to glare and your discernment of colors. All these are still part of the process. Therefore, after doing all these tests on your eyes and the doctor advising you to go for cataract surgery, you are good to go.

Phacoemulsification

 How to treat cataract

Some people with cataracts are not interested in doing cataract surgery. Their doctor might help them by giving them some tips on how to manage their symptoms. Their doctors may suggest strong eyeglasses for them. Not only that, some doctors may recommend magnifying lenses or sunglasses with an anti-glare coating. What are we saying in essence here? We are showing you that cataract surgery is not the only way to treat cataracts. Although doing cataract surgery is the best way of treating cataracts.

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However, once you find it so hard to do your daily activities, such as reading, driving, and other things related to your site’s usage, then cataract surgery will be a great choice. Therefore, there are two methods of doing cataract surgery that you need to know.

  1. Phacoemulsification: This surgical method involves using ultrasound waves to break the lens apart and eradicate the fragments. 
  1. Extracapsular: This surgical method involves eradicating the cloudy part of the lens through a long incision in the cornea.

Final words

Therefore, doing surgery to eradicate cataracts is safe, and it has a high success rate. There’s a tendency to regain your sight fully if you undergo this surgery than any other means of treating cataracts. However, cataract surgery has some risk factors. It might lead to bleeding, infection, inflammation, and additional risk. But the good news is that occurrences of those complications are less than one percent.