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Cataract
What is the lens?
The lens is a clear tissue located behind the pupil. The
lens works with the cornea, to focus light on the retina
at the back of the eye.
The lens has three parts,
the capsule: The outer membrane
the cortex: surrounded by the capsule
the nucleus: surrounded but the cortex
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of a part of the eye known as
the crystalline lens. As the opacity thickens, it
prevents light rays from passing through the lens and
focusing on the retina.
There are three types of cataracts.
Nuclear cataract: The most common type of cataract and
the one associated with aging symptoms include
blurring or dimming of vision
glare and visual distortion
can induce myopia, or nearsightedness,
a temporary improvement in your reading vision sometimes
referred to as "second sight." Unfortunately
"second sight" disappears as the cataract gets
worse.
Cortical cataract: Begins as wedge-shaped spokes in the
cortex of the lens. The spokes extend from the outside of
the lens to the centre. this usually develops slowly.
When the spokes reach the centre the induce symptoms such
as
glare and loss of contrast.
may impair both distance and near vision so significantly
that surgery may be suggested at a relatively early stage.
Subcapsular cataract: Develops slowly and starts as a
small opacity under the capsule, usually at the back of
the lens. Significant symptoms usually do not appear
until the cataract is well developed.
Glare, blur. This type of cataract is most commonly found
in people with diabetes, high myopia, adults with
retinitis pigmentosa, and in people taking steroids.
What treatment is available?
the only treatment available at the moment is surgery to
remove the diseased lens. In the majority of cases, the
lens with the cataract is replaced with an artificial
device known as an intraocular lens implant. Neither diet
nor medications have not been shown to stop cataract
formation.
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