What caused my cataract?
What Causes Cataracts | 9 Possible Reasons
- Aging. The eyes mainly consist of water and protein. ...
- Ultraviolet Rays. A recent study has shown that sunlight exposure over many years can increase the possibility of cataracts.
- Diabetes. ...
- Hypertension. ...
- Obesity. ...
- Smoking. ...
- High Myopia. ...
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption. ...
- Previous Eye Surgery. ...
When is cataract surgery appropriate?
Cataract surgery is most commonly performed when the patient is bothered by decreased vision in the eye that has the cataract. Just having a cataract is not necessarily a reason to have surgery. Occasionally, there is more than one cause for the decreased vision and that must be taken into account before the cataract surgery.
Can cataracts reappear after surgery?
While cataracts do not grow back, it is not uncommon several months (or years) after cataract surgery to notice blurry vision similar to what you experienced with the original cataract. Fortunately, this is not the recurrence of a cataract and it is a condition that is easily treated.
How you can heal emotionally after a traumatic event?
When you feel overwhelmed by traumatic stress, try this simple exercise:
- Sit on a chair, with your feet on the ground and your back supported by the chair.
- Look around you and pick six objects that have red or blue in them. ...
- Alternately, you may want to go outdoors and find a peaceful place to sit on the grass, and feel supported by the ground.
How does traumatic cataract occur?
Traumatic cataracts can occur as a result of a sharp penetrating injury to the lens capsule and/or lens, or a blunt concussive force. They may take days to years to develop. The diagnosis of traumatic cataracts is based on an abnormality in the red reflex.
What are traumatic cataracts?
Traumatic cataract is a clouding of the lens that may occur after either blunt or penetrating ocular trauma that disrupts the lens fibers. Most traumatic cataracts are intumescent, but their type and clinical course depend on trauma mechanism and the integrity of the capsular bag.
Can traumatic cataract be cured?
Occasionally a mild traumatic cataract will heal on its own, especially in children. If the cataract must be removed, the clouded lens will be extracted surgically and replaced with a clear artificial lens. Usually a new, artificial lens is implanted at the same time the cataract is removed.
How long does it take to get a traumatic cataract?
Traumatic cataracts can occur immediately after an eye injury or, in some cases, months or even years later. While cataracts that result from trauma can present unique challenges compared to age-related cataracts, skilled and experienced eye surgeons such as Dr.
Are traumatic cataracts painful?
Like lens clouding caused by other factors, traumatic cataracts cause burry vision. They can also cause pain or discomfort, redness in the eye, cornea infection and swelling.
Can a cataract burst in eye?
Conclusion: Spontaneous lens capsule rupture can occur in hypermature senile cataract (HMSC) and result in anterior or posterior dislocation of the nucleus or spontaneous resorption with or without an accompanying inflammatory reaction of varying severity.
How common is traumatic cataract?
Both penetrating and blunt ocular injuries can result in development of cataracts. There is approximately a 14% lifetime prevalence of ocular trauma in the general population, and it disproportionately affects children and young men.
How is traumatic cataract treated?
Traumatic Cataract Treatment In eyes with existing injuries, if the lens damage is clear and extensive with cortical material in the anterior chamber, lens removal is performed at the same time as repair of the cut in the cornea, termed as the primary procedure.
What are the 3 types of cataracts?
There are 5 main types of cataracts.Age-related cataract. As you age, a cataract can develop because of natural changes in the lens of your eye. ... Traumatic cataract. Serious eye injuries can damage your lens and cause a cataract. ... Radiation cataract. Certain types of radiation can cause cataracts. ... Pediatric cataract.
What is abnormal after cataract surgery?
Secondary complications can include: cystoid macular edema, retinal tears/detachment, glaucoma, corneal decompensation, endophthalmitis, retained lens material, prolonged postoperative inflammation, prolonged case time, and patient discomfort.
What is the after care for cataract surgery?
Keep water, soap, shampoo, hair spray, and shaving lotion out of your eye, especially for the first week. Do not rub or put pressure on your eye for at least 1 week. Do not wear eye makeup for 1 to 2 weeks. You may also want to avoid face cream or lotion.
Are diabetics more prone to cataracts?
When you have diabetes, high blood sugar (blood glucose) levels over time can lead to structural changes in the lens of the eye that can accelerate the development of cataracts.
What are the 3 types of cataracts?
There are 5 main types of cataracts.Age-related cataract. As you age, a cataract can develop because of natural changes in the lens of your eye. ... Traumatic cataract. Serious eye injuries can damage your lens and cause a cataract. ... Radiation cataract. Certain types of radiation can cause cataracts. ... Pediatric cataract.
Does traumatic glaucoma go away?
This type of glaucoma can develop after an injury, or trauma, to your eye. Although it can't be cured, there are treatments to stop it from stealing your sight if it's diagnosed early. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve.
How does trauma affect the eye?
Patients with ocular or orbital injuries may present with pain in and around the orbit, bruising, swelling, bleeding from lacerations, and facial numbness, and may complain of changes in vision. These injuries may require only observation or surgery spanning from simple to complex.
What happens if cataracts are left untreated?
Left untreated, cataracts can progress and put you at risk for accidental injuries, glaucoma, and even blindness. After leaving your symptoms untreated for a long time, cataract surgery becomes more difficult and puts you at a higher risk for complications.
What is traumatic cataract?
Cataract formation (simple traumatic cataract) may be the only significant pathology after an injury. Complicated traumatic cataracts involve perforating injuries with damage to other ocular structures (cornea, iris, cilliary body, vitreous, retina). •.
How do cataracts form?
Cataracts can form following disruption of the lens capsule. A capsular defect allows aqueous humor to enter the lens, leading to increasing opacity until the flow of aqueous ebbs. 15 The natural history of lens capsule violation is unclear. The anterior capsule has a high capacity for healing because of the regenerative properties of the subcapsular epithelium and is less susceptible to rupture given its greater thickness. If the capsular defect is <2 mm, the epithelium rapidly restores continuity. Defects larger than 3 mm frequently lead to lenticular opacity. Healing of the capsule limits passage of free ions and fluid that may lead to cataract formation. The anterior capsule may also spontaneously reopen, causing severe inflammation and secondary glaucoma days to months following injury.
How to remove cataracts?
If the capsule is not intact or there is a significant degree of phacodonesis or subluxation, other methods of cataract removal must be considered. The route of removal depends largely on the experience of the surgeon. If an anterior approach is not felt to be safe, vitreoretinal consultation is recommended for definitive management. Combined pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy are implemented with increasing frequency. 20 The infusion port should be placed away from the site of any choroidal or retinal detachment. Perfluorocarbons can aid in mobilizing posteriorly dislocated lens fragments, supporting fragments during their removal, and protecting the retina. 6 Although rarely performed, intracapsular cataract surgery is an option if significant zonular instability is present and the vitreous face is intact. Surgeon experience plays an important role in the decision-making process.
Why is cataract removal important?
Primary extraction of a cataractous lens offers many advantages: it eliminates the source of late inflammation and increased intraocular pressure and allows earlier visual rehabilitation. Disadvantages in-clude increased short-term postoperative inflammation, increased risk of intraoperative bleeding and the possibility that the cataract may not have become visually significant. 2
How long does it take for a cataract to develop?
Traumatic cataracts can occur as a result of a sharp penetrating injury to the lens capsule and/or lens, or a blunt concussive force. They may take days to years to develop. The diagnosis of traumatic cataracts is based on an abnormality in the red reflex. The cataract problem can be confirmed by examining ...
Where should intraocular lens be placed?
The lens may be placed in the capsular bag, the sulcus, the anterior chamber or fixated to the iris or sclera . If placed in the capsular bag, the haptics should be placed perpendicular to any zonular defect for maximal capsular bag stabilization and expansion. 1
Why do my cataracts have less density?
In the acute setting, injury to the lens may lead it to imbibe water, lose its normal high proteinaceous intrinsic architecture , or both. Therefore, its density may decrease when disruption occurs (traumatic cataract). Whereas senescent cataracts may be more dense than normal lenses, traumatic cataracts are less dense. In many cases, the suspensory ligaments of the lens may also be disrupted (as in this case), and the lens seems malpositioned. This condition, lens dislocation or subluxation, is caused by injury to the region of the ciliary body and these ligamentous fixation points.
What is traumatic cataract?
What are Traumatic Cataracts? Most American adults have heard about cataracts, the clouding of your eye lens that typically happens as part of aging. But fewer people have heard of traumatic cataracts, those caused by injury to the eye. Below, we explore this type of traumatic eye damage and the treatment available to you at Clarity Vision Eye Care ...
Why do cataracts form?
Cataracts form for a variety of reasons. These include: Aging . Medical conditions. Genetics. Past eye conditions. Injury. Long-term use of steroid medications. You can initially see through your cataracts by using more light or wearing glasses.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is cloudiness appearing on the lens of your eye. This cloudy spot obstructs your view, making your vision appear frosty or foggy. The cloudiness generally develops slowly.
What causes a cataract to cloud?
A traumatic cataract is one caused by injury to your eye. Blunt force trauma or trauma that penetrates the eye’s lens commonly cause this clouding by damaging lens fibers. Some of the most typical causes of traumatic cataracts include: Infrared or laser lights. Electric sparks.
What causes clouding in the eye?
Blunt Trauma. This clouding occurs when an object or force collides with your eye but does not penetrate or cut the lens. This trauma includes being punched in the eye, a ball or other projectile hitting the eye or a fall. The impact can cause immediate damage or a traumatic cataract that takes time to form.
What happens when sharp objects hit the eye?
When a sharp object hits the eye, going through the cornea to the lens, an immediate traumatic cataract can form.
How long does it take to see after cataract surgery?
Thankfully, cataract surgery is one of the most common eye treatments performed today. In just 24 hours after your surgery, you can have unobstructed vison again.
Why do people get cataracts?
It’s a natural part of the aging process. However, a cataract can form for a number of different reasons besides age. Another common cause is trauma to the eye – blunt or penetrating ocular trauma, electric shock, chemical burns, or ionizing radiation.
Why do cataracts form?
However, a cataract can form for a number of different reasons besides age. Another common cause is trauma to the eye – blunt or penetrating ocular trauma, electric shock, chemical burns, or ionizing radiation.
How do you know if you have a cataract?
Approximately 2.5 million eye injuries occur annually in the United States, according to Medscape. A traumatic cataract may present itself as an acute, subacute, or late sequela of ocular trauma. Signs and symptoms of cataracts include: 1 Blurry sight, and occasionally, double vision 2 ‘Halos’ — the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult 3 Colors may become faded 4 Eyeglasses prescription changes frequently
What are the symptoms of traumatic cataracts?
Signs and symptoms of cataracts include: Blurry sight, and occasionally, double vision. ‘Halos’ — the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult. Colors may become faded.
How successful is cataract surgery?
In fact, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed operation in the United States, with a 98% success rate. This painless outpatient procedure involves removing the clouded lens and, in most cases, replacing it with a clear, intraocular lens implant (IOL).
What laser is used for cataract surgery?
Dr. Boles utilizes the LenSx® Laser, the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients today, to create a cataract surgery that’s 100% unique to each patient. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Boles will make a small incision on the side of your cornea and use ultrasound vibrations to break the natural lens into small pieces. These fragments are removed and replaced with an IOL.
What causes a cataract?
After age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye naturally start to break down. Most cataracts happen because of these natural changes.
Why do cataracts form?
Cataracts form when the proteins in the lens of your eye clump together, making your lens cloudy.
Why do cataracts keep you from seeing?
Cataracts keep you from seeing clearly because light can’t pass through the clumps of proteins in your lens very easily. Over time, the clumps of proteins get bigger and thicker, making it harder for you to see. The lens may also develop a yellow or brown tint, which can change how you see colors.
What is the cloudy area in the lens of your eye?
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. Cataracts can make your vision blurry, hazy, or less colorful. Most cataracts are caused by natural changes in your eyes as you get older. The good news is that surgery can get rid of cataracts. Learn more about cataracts.
What is the treatment for traumatic cataract?
Postoperative management of traumatic cataract includes topical antibiotic, steroids, and a cycloplegic agent to reduce postoperative inflammation.
How common is ocular trauma?
Ocular trauma is relatively common. Up to one-fifth of adults will experience ocular trauma at some point in their lives. It occurs most frequently in men and young people. 1 A study performed for the World Health Organization estimated that up to 55 million eye injuries occur annually worldwide, and up to 1.6 million people lose their sight due to eye trauma. 2 In developed countries, it is a major cause of unilateral blindness. 3
What is a cataract that is cloudy?
Traumatic cataract is a clouding of the lens that may occur after either blunt or penetrating ocular trauma that disrupts the lens fibers.
What is used to control bleeding during cataract extraction?
Hemostasis. To control bleeding during cataract extraction, dispersive viscoelastic may be used for tamponade, or intracameral epinephrine may be injected to cause vasoconstriction.
Why do you need a sealed anterior chamber for cataract surgery?
Laceration or loss of corneal tissue may be present as result of the trauma. A sealed anterior chamber is necessary to avoid fluid leakage during cataract surgery. Corneal wounds should be closed with 10-0 nylon suture, and this procedure may be done in the same surgical session as the cataract extraction.
How to emulsify cataracts?
Our preferred method for emulsifying a cataract in this setting is a divide-and-conquer technique. Stop and chop may be used if the nucleus can be visualized clearly. An Akahoshi prechopper can be used safely after a central groove has been sculpted. The surgeon must take care not to push down the nucleus during chopping maneuvers.
Can a cataract be aspirated?
Purely traumatic cataract. For a purely traumatic cataract (i.e., without a senile component), the lens nucleus can be easily aspirated with the I&A tip. It is preferable to start with the nucleus and end with the cortex; this will protect the posterior capsule from inadvertent rupture.
How Do Traumatic Cataracts Occur?
There are four basic types of trauma that can result in the development of a cataract. It is important to note that eye trauma can also result in other problems with the eye. If you have suffered any of the following forms of trauma, it is vital that you schedule a professional eye evaluation immediately, even if you are not experiencing any obvious symptoms of damage.
What type of trauma is traumatic cataract?
Chemical trauma: This type of trauma refers to the penetration of the eye by a chemical substance, resulting in a change in the composition of the lens fibers to cause a traumatic cataract.
How do cataracts occur?
How Do Traumatic Cataracts Occur? 1 Blunt trauma: This type of trauma occurs when an object collides with, but does not penetrate, the eye or face with extreme force. Common examples of blunt trauma include a punch to the eye, being struck in the eye with a ball, and falling to the ground face first. Damage to the lens can result in either an immediate cataract or a delayed cataract. 2 Penetrating trauma: This type of trauma occurs when a sharp object, such as a piece of glass, the tip of a pencil, or a nail, penetrates the eye. If the object makes its way past the cornea to the lens, a traumatic cataract is to be expected at the very least. A full tear of the lens is also possible, along with injury to other parts of the eye. 3 Chemical trauma: This type of trauma refers to the penetration of the eye by a chemical substance, resulting in a change in the composition of the lens fibers to cause a traumatic cataract. 4 Radiation trauma: Radiation exposure, especially among children, can damage the lens and cause a traumatic cataract. Often, there is a long period between the exposure to radiation and the development of the cataract.
What type of trauma occurs when an object collides with, but does not penetrate, the eye or face with extreme force?
If you have suffered any of the following forms of trauma, it is vital that you schedule a professional eye evaluation immediately, even if you are not experiencing any obvious symptoms of damage. Blunt trauma: This type of trauma occurs when an object collides with, but does not penetrate, the eye or face with extreme force.
What are some examples of blunt trauma?
Common examples of blunt trauma include a punch to the eye, being struck in the eye with a ball, and falling to the ground face first. Damage to the lens can result in either an immediate cataract or a delayed cataract.
Can you get cataracts after an eye injury?
This includes traumatic cataracts, cataracts caused as a result of trauma to the eye or face. Traumatic cataracts can occur immediately after an eye injury or, in some cases, months or even years later.
Can a cataract be traumatic?
If the object makes its way past the cornea to the lens, a traumatic cataract is to be expected at the very least. A full tear of the lens is also possible, along with injury to other parts of the eye.
Why do cataracts happen?
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. Most cataracts are age-related — they happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons, too. No matter what type of cataract you have, the treatment is always surgery. There are 5 main types of cataracts.
Why do children get cataracts?
Children can also get cataracts for the same reasons as adults — eye injuries, radiation, or steroid medications.
How to treat secondary cataract?
Your doctor will use a laser to make an opening in the membrane behind the artificial lens in your eye — this is called YAG laser capsulotomy. Most people will notice their vision is back to normal a few days after the procedure. Last updated: August 3, 2019.
Why is it important to treat cataracts early?
It’s important to treat these cataracts early on so your child doesn’t develop other vision problems, like amblyopia ( lazy eye ). Other pediatric cataracts are so small that they won’t hurt your child’s vision. Your child’s doctor can monitor these smaller cataracts to make sure they don’t cause vision problems.
What is secondary cataract surgery?
Secondary cataract is common, but it’s easy to fix with a laser treatment in your eye doctor’s office. During cataract surgery, your doctor removes the lens from your eye and replaces it with a clear artificial lens.
What is the treatment for cataracts?
No matter what type of cataract you have, the treatment is always surgery.
Can radiation cause cataracts?
Certain types of radiation can cause cataracts. This includes ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and radiation treatment for cancer.
How does cataract affect vision?
How a cataract affects your vision. Normal vision (left) becomes blurred as a cataract forms (right). A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult ...
Where do cataracts form?
How a cataract forms. The lens, where cataracts form, is positioned behind the colored part of your eye (iris). The lens focuses light that passes into your eye, producing clear, sharp images on the retina — the light-sensitive membrane in the eye that functions like the film in a camera.
What is the name of the cataract that affects the back of the eye?
Cataracts that affect the back of the lens (posterior subcapsular cataracts). A posterior subcapsular cataract starts as a small, opaque area that usually forms near the back of the lens, right in the path of light. A posterior subcapsular cataract often interferes with your reading vision, reduces your vision in bright light, and causes glare or halos around lights at night. These types of cataracts tend to progress faster than other types do.
What is a cataract in the right eye?
Overview. A cataract occurs when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. Eventually, a cataract can advance to the degree of the one shown in this person's right eye. Normal vision (left) becomes blurred as a cataract forms (right). A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye.
What causes halos in the night?
A posterior subcapsular cataract often interferes with your reading vision, reduces your vision in bright light, and causes glare or halos around lights at night. These types of cataracts tend to progress faster than other types do. Cataracts you're born with (congenital cataracts).
Why is my cataract turning brown?
As the cataract slowly progresses, the lens may even turn brown. Advanced yellowing or browning of the lens can lead to difficulty distinguishing between shades of color. Cataracts that affect the edges of the lens (cortical cataracts).
How do you know if you have cataracts?
Symptoms. Signs and symptoms of cataracts include: At first, the cloudiness in your vision caused by a cataract may affect only a small part of the eye's lens and you may be unaware of any vision loss. As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens and distorts the light passing through the lens.
