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What
are Cataracts?
A
cataract is defined as a clouding of the lens
of the eye, which results in blurry vision. A cataract forms
when protein in the lens begins to clump together and cloud
a small area of the eye. This cloud will continue to grow and
interfere with vision. Eventually, the cataract will need to
be removed from the eye with eye
surgery.
Cataracts
can occur in one or both eyes and develop in one of the following
four ways:
· Age-related - More than 50% of all Americans
over the age of 65 have cataracts
· Congenital - Cataracts can form at birth or
in early childhood
· Secondary - Steroid use or health conditions
such as diabetes can increase the risk of developing
cataracts
· Traumatic - Eye injuries can lead to the formation
of cataracts, either directly following the injury
or years later
Types
of Cataracts
There
are three types of cataracts, each defined by their location
on the lens:
· Nuclear - this type of cataract is located in
the center of the lens and is usually the result
of advancing age
· Cortical - this type of cataract resembles the
spokes of a wheel which extend from the outside
of the lens to the center and is usually associated with
patients who suffer from diabetes
· Subcapsular - this type of cataract develops
at the back of the lens under the capsule and is
usually associated with patients who take steroids or who suffer
from diabetes
How
are Cataracts Diagnosed?
Cataracts
can be detected with a full optical examination including:
· Pupil dilation - dilation of the pupils allows
the ophthalmologist to examine the lens and retina
for eye diseases
· Visual acuity - this is an eye chart test that
measures your eyesight at different distances
· Tonometry - this tests the fluid pressure within
your eye
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