A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It is the most common cause of blindness in people over the age of 40. It affects more than 20 million people globally with over 51% of them in developing countries like Nigeria. It is speculated that over 600,000 Nigerians may have cataracts.

IT IS CURABLE!

The lens is a clear part of the eye behind your iris that helps to focus light or an image on the retina, which helps us to see via a complex mechanism.

The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image will appear blurry, cloudy, misty or faded.

Types of cataracts

Cataracts develop slowly and can be found in one or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. There are three types of cataracts:
• A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens. It is common in diabetics.
• A nuclear cataract forms in the central area of the lens.
• A cortical cataract starts in the periphery of the lens and works its way to the centre in a spoke-like fashion.

What causes cataracts?

Ageing is the commonest cause of cataracts. Yet, certain things make it more likely that a person will develop cataracts.
• Secondary cataract can form after surgery for other eye problems like glaucoma.
• Cataracts can also develop in people who have other health problems like diabetes.
• Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use.
• Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
• Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These are usually due to maternal infections.
• Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

Symptoms

• Your sight is misty and cloudy. You may feel like your glasses are dirty and need cleaning, even when they don’t.
• Colours seem faded or look a little more washed out than they should be.
• Double vision.
• Frequent prescription changes.
•Sensitivity to light and glare – headlights, lamps or sunlight may seem too bright. You may also see a halo around lights.
• Night blindness.

How can one prevent the development of cataracts?

Besides elderliness, there are risk factors for cataracts. They can be managed to reduce the onset and severity of symptoms as well as the progression of cataract. These steps include:
• Control your blood sugar and blood pressure if you are diabetic and/or hypertensive.
• Wear appropriate eye wears to shield the eyes from ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources.
• Keep fit and maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit smoking.
• Use steroid-containing medications only on doctor’s orders.
• Protect your eyes from trauma during sports and avoid violence.
• Reduce your alcohol consumption.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables.

Cataract treatment.

The definitive treatment for cataracts is surgery where the affected lens is removed and replaced with the an artificial lens that does the same thing. The procedure is very safe and patients regain near perfect vision after the procedure.

N.B: If you think you have a cataract, see an eye doctor for an exam to find out for sure.

https://publichealthnig.com/cataract-most-common-cause-of-blindness/

You can ask any questions you might have about the disease, and I'd try to answer as much as I can

educative!

Nice piece, instead of disturbing us with kidwaya did this and Erica did that

Edunews:
You can ask any questions you might have about the disease, and I'd try to answer as much as I can

How much it would take for the surgery and how long time to heal after...

God bless you OP
A very educative thread

Sumtin like this is affecting somone close to me ooo

Eye problem due to so much tears oooo..


But we are looking forward to go to a place Sha... B

very good one.

Verdict: Thanks Op, more of this need to hit the front page, not some nengi strokes laicon's preeq


A united youth is an unstoppable force


#NYM


Stop sitting on the fence, join the movement

OP Is glaucoma curable like cataract?

Secondary cataract can form after surgery for other eye problems like glaucoma.

What about glaucoma

Edunews:
You can ask any questions you might have about the disease, and I'd try to answer as much as I can

Boss... Someone close to me cried so much... Elder Sha, like 50 upward... Sumtin happened and she never stopped crying... Till the thing affected her eyes..



She has been on it for years now but now seems it's getting worse..

So, she met sumone dt has same issue too and they directed her to a place Sha....


Boss, cud too much tears cause eye problem?

Very educative

Land for sale.

Educative

My mum is suffering from it...Done surgery/ operations in Nigeria and India but the case still same

Nice

someone battling with high BP and cataract, how can the surgery be done

nice article

What is the likely cost of the surgical operation.

Edunews:
You can ask any questions you might have about the disease, and I'd try to answer as much as I can

Tho.. nice read..

those asking about glaucoma.. depends on the type of glaucoma your person is suffering.

I also like to say with this generation.. cataract and glaucoma would be very common in the near future.. mostly because everybody is always looking at the screen.

I can only imagine