Seeing Clearly Again: Understanding Cataracts

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from near or far vision impairment. The main causes of visual impairment including blindness are usually caused by refractive errors and cataracts.

Statistics from the Nature Journal are more specific. They revealed that, in 2020, there are 36 million people experiencing blindness globally with over 13.5 million resulting from cataracts.

In the United States (US), more than half of the elderly face the situation and undergo surgery at the age of 80, reports the National Eye Institute, US.

What is meant by cataract? Simply put, according to Healthline, it occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and cloudy.

To get more information about cataracts, SinarPlus met Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Norazah Abdul Rahman, who is also a Paediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon.

Dr Norazah said, in general, the lens of the human eye is naturally clear and receives a clear image.

"The formation of cataracts or generally called membranes occurs as a result of the ageing process that begins to occur in individuals aged between 50 and 60 years. It will continue until that group reaches 70 or 80 years old," she said.

Even so, in some circumstances, Dr Norazah explained, babies can also suffer from cataracts and it is known as congenital cataracts.

It happens when the little one is born with a membrane on the eye. Just like the elderly, children may not realise they have the problem until they are in school.

Sharing his experience, Dr Norazah said that she once treated a four-year-old child who suffered from cataracts. The degenerative eye disease has caused the little patient to face behavioural changes.

"Not only does he depend a lot on his mother for daily affairs, but the child likes to shout and is quick to anger. According to his guardian, their beloved child wants more attention from the people around him because of his unclear vision," she said.

Dr Norazah expressed concern if cataract patients among young children do not get proper treatment in the immediate period.

"Recovery at an early age (cataract) is very important to prevent the patient's brain from becoming lazy. Usually, when they start being treated, they start showing positive signs when they start actively walking, climbing stairs and start exploring," she said.

Apart from the ageing factor, the cause of cataracts is contributed by several other reasons, namely:

• Accidental injury or trauma.
• Inflammation or inflammation.
• Taking medications such as steroids.
• Health problems such as diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure.

There is no scientific evidence that smoking can cause cataracts.

"Even so, the free radicals that result from that practice can damage the body's cells. The process of oxidation and inflammation indirectly accelerates the aging process," she explained.

The same is the case with obesity. It has nothing to do with the health issue. However, obesity can contribute to diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol which can eventually trigger cataracts.

What is the opinion of the expert with the alleged use of excessive gadgets can also be the cause?

"It's hard for me to say that gadgets contribute to the formation of the retina, but that habit can cause short-sightedness, especially in children. It can also cause the eyes to become dry and tired," she said.

About the signs that make it possible that a person will have cataracts are:

• Vision becomes blurred as if hazy.
• The colours seen appear faded.
• Having difficulty moving.

The elderly are not aware of the development of their cataracts, which may be getting worse.

"Most patients who live alone suffer from depression when their vision becomes blurred. As a result, they are not interested in meeting people and prefer to be alone at home," she said.

Some face nutritional deficiencies because they don't see what they eat. Children should play a significant role in bringing their parents to see an eye specialist.

"An elderly person I treated was so happy because she was able to read clearly again a few hours after undergoing cataract treatment. She even regretted being late for the procedure," she shared.

According to Dr Norazah, people need to understand that cataracts that are too mature and not treated properly can cause complications such as glaucoma or eye inflammation.

"The condition can also result in permanent blindness and may not be restored," she stressed.

Source: Sinar Harian