Eyes like all other organs in our body tend to deteriorate with age. As our body ages our cell renewal process tends to slow down making basic functions that used to be done with ease require a bit more effort. Among the different degenerative eye diseases one considered most common are cataracts. A cataract is caused by a progressive clouding of the lens. Patients who suffer from this disease experience blurry vision in some cases semi-blindness. This is why most people above their 60s are advised to visit an eye doctor regularly just to check if a cataract is developing as with all other diseases it is easier to address when it is detected early.
Cataract operation is one of the oldest medical treatments in human history. It was documented as introduced by Alexander the Great’s army from Europe to India. Naturally as science and technology continues to develop the efficiency of cataract surgery has also risen. Cataract operation has grown to such an effective level that even astigmatism can be cured by the procedure. Current cataract operation procedures can improve over all vision up to 95%. Because of its high rate of effectiveness and relatively easy and safe procedure more people get to arrest their cataract problem at very early stages.
Non surgical cataract management procedures
Although the only way to totally get rid of a cataract is via surgery there are means available to manage it. There is no real danger to delaying a cataract surgery for as long as the patient’s vision has not deteriorated to the point where he or she is almost blind.
For patients in the early stages of cataracts certain management measures can be taken before committing to surgery:
1. the use of stronger glasses
2. Using magnifying glasses when reading
3. Taking in certain medicine that dilate the pupil
4. Reading under a very well lit environment
It must be taken to consideration though that these steps do not stop, decrease, nor slow down cataract formation it simply allows the patient to manage without surgery for a few more years.
Before going under the knife
Unlike other diseases in need of surgery, cataracts maybe delayed and managed so preparing to undergo the procedure can be done without any time pressure. Often the prime advantages which come with surgery are the improved vision of the patient and the arrest of the cataract formation. If the patient wishes to bear with the blurred vision and opt for management options instead then the patient will be allowed to do so. There are also several conditions a patient should qualify for before the operation:
1. A 20/40 or worse result on The Snellen eye test with the apparent cause being cataract formation
2. Visual aids can no longer help the patient do his or her usual daily tasks
3. The patient is in danger of falling in low light conditions
The procedure is very safe so the question a patient should really contemplate is whether he or she wants to have the surgery done and be independent of visual handicap tools or be free of the aids and be able to do everyday visual tasks with relative ease.