Causes, symptoms and prevention of cataracts, eye drops. Treatment of clouding of the lens of the eye Causes of cataracts in adults

The causes of cataracts may vary. This disease is characterized by clouding of the lens or its capsule, which is irreversible.

Because of this, the number of light rays passing through the pupil decreases, which leads to deterioration of vision. The eyes of such a person perceive the world unclearly, as if through a stream of water. The disease develops slowly, with a gradual loss of visual acuity. After some time, a person cannot take a step without thick lenses. More than seventeen million people on the planet over the age of sixty suffer from this disease.

Most often, cataracts occur as a result of natural aging, especially if this process is accompanied by somatic diseases: metabolic problems, diabetes, etc.

With age, the chemical composition of the lens tissue changes, free radicals are formed in them, due to which toxic compounds accumulate. Antioxidant protection, weakened by age, cannot cope with the effects of toxins, which leads to irreversible changes in eye tissue, in particular the lens.
If we talk about other prerequisites for the manifestation of the disease, then the causes of cataracts may be as follows:

heredity;
injuries to the organs of vision leading to deformation of the lens;
diseases of the endocrine system - diabetes, thyroid diseases;
eye diseases: glaucoma, retinal detachment, iridocyclitis, severe myopia, chorioretinitis, chronic uveitis and others;
severe infections: malaria, smallpox, typhus, others;
Down's disease;
skin diseases: neurodermatitis, eczema, others;
eye burns;
prolonged exposure of the sun's rays to the eyes;
Microwave radiation;
long-term treatment with certain pharmaceuticals, such as corticosteroids;
high radiation;
poisoning with toxic substances and heavy metals;
bad ecology;
work in hazardous industries, in hot shops, where the risk of eye irradiation is increased;
smoking, alcoholism.

Cataracts can also be congenital if a pregnant woman has suffered from certain diseases, for example, rubella or measles, has been irradiated, or has taken strong medications. Her smoking or alcoholism could also negatively affect the eye health of the unborn baby.

It should be noted that the aging process of all organs of the human body, including the eyes, can be accelerated by: lack of physical activity, unfriendly environmental conditions, difficult working conditions, long hours in front of the TV and computer, unhealthy diet with a predominance of fast food, exhausting diets, lack of sleep, alcohol abuse.

Symptoms of cataracts

The main symptoms of this disease can be considered:

The appearance of double vision when one eye is closed. This symptom appears only in the initial stages of the disease and disappears as it progresses.
The visual picture is blurred, images are unclear, both close and far away. The haze does not disappear even after correction with contact lenses or glasses.
At night, seeing flashes and glare, increasing the light sensitivity of the eyes.
Inability to drive due to excessively bright headlights of oncoming cars.
A non-existent halo appears around each light source.
Color perception is also impaired, rich shades fade, it is especially difficult to perceive violet and blue tones.
A temporary short-term improvement in vision, followed by a rapid decrease in visual acuity.

The very first symptoms of this disease are: decreased visual acuity at dusk, a feeling of haze, flickering of flies, difficulty working with small objects, reading books with small print, especially from a computer, increased sensitivity to light, double vision of objects and difficulties with the selection of contact lenses and glasses.

When a person addresses these problems to an ophthalmologist, he examines the organs of vision for gray or whitish opacities, which can be located in different parts of the eye.

The type of cataract will depend on where such a spot is located and its shape: anterior capsular, posterior capsular, nuclear, cortical, complete.

Doctors can identify these types based on exact parameters and sometimes even suggest the cause of the disease:

A whitish spot with clear boundaries indicates an anterior cataract. If it is slightly pointed, this disease is called anterior pyramidal.
A ball with a diameter of 2 mm in the middle of the lens is a characteristic sign of central cataract.
Does the spot look like a white ball and is located behind the lens? It speaks of posterior polar cataract.
A cloudy, spindle-shaped area along the length of the lens is called spindle-shaped disease.
The congenital zonular type of the disease appears as a cloudy core surrounded by transparent layers.
Toxic cataracts are characterized by opacities at the bottom of the lens capsule with further flow to the cortical layers.
In diabetes, this disorder appears as white flakes on the surface of the lens with deformation of the iris.
The tetanic form of the disease is similar to the diabetic one, but is caused by hypofunction of the parathyroid glands.
With dense soft cataracts, the lens is completely clouded, and its tissues become liquid and form a compacted bag.

If the reasons for the development of cataracts are in the elderly patient, then the external signs of the disease vary.

The disease develops alternating certain stages:

Initial. The lens becomes cloudy outside the optical zone.
Immature. The spots appear near the center of the optical zone and then begin to move towards it. This stage is characterized by a sharp decrease in vision.
Mature. It almost completely blocks the lens, after which the patient’s eyes see practically nothing except light differences.
Overripe. It is characterized by liquefaction of the lens tissue and a milky pupil.

In seventy percent of adults, the disease reaches the mature stage within six to ten years. For fifteen percent, this time extends to fifteen years. The rest reach the mature stage in four to five years.

Diagnostics

In some cases, an examination by an ophthalmologist does not provide a complete picture of the disease. When this happens, the doctor may order additional tests to identify complications in the fundus and determine the required volume and tactics of surgical treatment.

What examinations after a standard examination of each eye and determination of visual acuity can be prescribed to the patient:

Procedure	What is
Perimetry	Study of visual fields.
Detection of binocular vision	The procedure determines whether a person can see three-dimensionally using both eyes.
Tonometry	Checking the pressure inside the organs of vision.
Ophthalmoscopy	Thanks to this technique, the condition of the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels is checked through the reflection of light rays from the bottom of the eye. It is often prescribed for concomitant eye diseases or diabetes.
Refractometry	This method is used to determine farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism.
Biomicroscopy	The technique involves studying eye tissue under a microscope to accurately determine pathologies.
Ophthalmometry	A special device, an ophthalmometer, helps to determine the degree of curvature of the cornea and lens.
Gonioscopy	Calculates the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye to study all lens pathologies.
Skiascopy	Studies the refraction of the eyes by observing the movement of shadows around the pupil under specularly reflected light.
Electrophysiological study	Diagnoses the mobility of the optic nerve and the degree of its sensitivity.

Doctors also conduct laboratory tests: general blood and urine tests, tests for sugar, HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. If there are concomitant diseases, additional tests are prescribed.

Only after detailed studies can we accurately calculate the optical parameters of intraocular lenses (artificial lenses), which will help restore vision to patients.

There are two types of intraocular lenses:

Hard lens type. Despite the rigidity of the special plastic, they are quite elastic, do not put pressure on the eyes and take root well.
Soft lens type. Modern elastic polymers are used for their production. Several types of such lenses have now been created, used for various pathologies.

The attending physician will advise which type of lenses is suitable for the patient. The optical power of lenses is calculated individually; its data depends on the anatomy of the eye.

If a cataract diagnosis has already been made, it is better to hurry up with its treatment. Prolonged neglect of this eye disease can lead to increased clouding, increased intracranial pressure and the development of glaucoma.

In some cases, it is possible to stop its development with drug therapy. But most often, after confirming the diagnosis, the doctor recommends surgical intervention.

Complications

Cataracts, if not diagnosed and treated promptly, can lead to other serious complications:

Amaurosis (absolute blindness). Its onset is slow and gradual, so there is a chance to save vision in the initial stages.
Lens luxation. There is a displacement of this organ of the eye or even a rupture with the ligament. After this, the lens needs to be replaced with an artificial one.
Phacogenic glaucoma. It occurs due to strong intraocular pressure when the lens becomes larger due to cataracts. It is necessary to remove it and reduce the pressure with medications.
Obscurational amblyopia. It appears only after congenital cataracts. Obscuration amblyopia leads to retinal atrophy and can only be treated surgically.
Phacolytic iridocyclitis is an inflammatory process of the ciliary body and iris, as a result of which the protein becomes covered with a bluish network of blood vessels, the head and eye hurt greatly, and the pupil stops moving. Acute symptoms are relieved with medications. But after this, surgery is required.

The development of cataracts deteriorates a person's quality of life and can lead to the fact that he will not be able to enjoy the colors of the world. To avoid this, you need to contact professionals in time for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Cataract is a disease that not only reduces the patient’s quality of life, but is also dangerous due to its complications. To prevent the progression of the pathology, doctors recommend timely treatment, which can be conservative or surgical. In the first case, eye drops are selected, the task of which is to slow down the development of the disease. A doctor may prescribe, for example, Oftan Katahrom eye drops, which has a combined composition and has a pronounced antioxidant and metabolic effect, which has a positive effect on metabolic processes in the lens of the eye.

Cataract (from the Greek word “cataractos” - waterfall) is a disease in which the transparency of the lens in the eye decreases, which leads to a gradual decrease in visual acuity. The lens is located behind the iris, which forms the pupil, and cannot be directly seen with the naked eye until it becomes noticeably cloudy. It plays a crucial role in focusing light on the retina, located at the back of the eye. The retina, in turn, converts light into nerve impulses, which the brain translates into visual images. Significant clouding in cataracts distorts light and prevents it from passing through the lens, causing characteristic visual symptoms and complaints.

Cataracts usually develop gradually as you age, but sometimes it can happen earlier. Many people do not suspect that they have this disease for a long time, since the deterioration of vision occurs gradually. Cataracts usually affect both eyes, but often progress faster in one eye. This is a very common disease, occurring in approximately 60% of people over 60 years of age.

Symptoms of cataracts

Cataracts can cause a variety of visual complaints, including blurred vision, problems in bright light (often from bright sun or car headlights when driving at night), decreased color vision, progression of myopia leading to the need to frequently change glasses, and sometimes and double vision in one eye. Sometimes near vision improves temporarily as a result of increased myopia due to swelling cataracts. The need to frequently change glasses may signal the onset of cataract development. Cataracts usually do not cause pain, eye redness, or other symptoms unless they are in an advanced stage.

Risk of developing cataracts

It is believed that cortical cataracts develop more often in women. Risk factors for its development also include excessive sun exposure and myopia. At the same time, nuclear type cataracts are more common in people with brown irises, as well as smokers.

Along with the above factors, the risk of developing cataracts can be increased by: the presence of certain eye diseases, the use of steroid drugs, eye injuries and diabetes.

Gender factor

A number of epidemiological studies using cross-sectional data have shown that women are at higher risk of developing cataracts compared to men. Some results indicate a general increase in the incidence of this disease. Most investigators report a higher prevalence of cortical cataracts, with only one study showing a higher prevalence of nuclear cataracts among other types (Am J Ophthalmol 1999; 128:446–65). The mechanism of the influence of the gender factor on the occurrence of cataracts is not clear, but may be associated with hormonal differences between women and men.

One reason may be postmenopausal estrogen deficiency. Recent epidemiological data provide some evidence that estrogen and hormone replacement therapy may play a protective role in the development of age-related cataracts (Am J Epidemiol 2002; 155:997–1006). Data from the Beaver Dam Eye Study suggest that early age at menarche, long-term use of estrogen-containing medications, and use of birth control pills prevent the development of nuclear cataracts. The latest Beaver Dam Eye Study assessed the possible association between reproductive age and the incidence of cataracts. The only significant result was the identification of a trend towards a decrease in the incidence of posterior subcapsular cataracts due to an increase in the number of successful deliveries.

Smoking

Observations confirm the connection between smoking and the risk of developing cataracts. The risk of cataracts in heavy smokers who smoke 15 cigarettes a day or more is three times higher than in non-smokers. Smoking is thought to increase this risk, at least in part, by increasing oxidative stress in the lens. It can be caused by free radicals produced by reactions in the presence of tobacco smoke or other air pollutants. They are capable of directly damaging proteins and membranes of lens fibers.

A number of studies have shown that taking antioxidants reduces the risk of developing cataracts. A recent study examined the effect of smoking on the development of cataracts in men and women in the United States (Am J Epidemiol 2002;155:72-9). The results suggest that any recovery from damage caused by smoking occurs at a very slow pace. This highlights how important it is not to start smoking at all, or to quit smoking as early as possible. People who quit this bad habit 25 or more years ago have a 20% lower risk of developing cataracts than those who continue to smoke. However, the risk for former smokers will not be reduced to the level observed among never smokers.

Steroids

The association between steroid use and the development of cataracts is well known. The higher the dose of steroids and the longer the duration of their use, the higher the risk of developing posterior subcapsular cataracts. However, despite all the published data, the safe daily dose of corticosteroids is still not known, nor is it clear for how long they can be used without risk. It is difficult to determine safe dosages even when pooling all published data, due to differences in diagnostic criteria for cataracts across studies, as well as varying pharmacological activities of the steroids used.

Types of cataracts

The classification of cataracts is based on the degree and location of lens opacities. However, the disease can develop at an early age or as a result of aging, and different parts of the lens can be affected to varying degrees.

Cataracts that are detected at birth or at a very early age (during the first year of life) are called congenital or childhood. They require urgent surgical treatment, as they can interfere with the formation of normal vision in the affected eye.

Nuclear cataract- Diagnosed when the central part of the lens is more affected, which is the most common situation.
Cortical- when opacities are most noticeable in the cortex covering the outside of the lens.
Subcapsular- when opacification develops in the immediate vicinity of the lens capsule, either along the front, or, more often, the back part. Unlike most cataracts, they can develop quite quickly and affect vision more severely than nuclear or cortical cataracts.

Diagnosis of cataracts

The following methods can be used to detect cataracts:
. (examination of visual acuity using a table or sign projector);
. biomicroscopy (slit lamp examination). Focusing a beam of light on the lens forms its optical slice, which makes it easier to detect any small deviations;
. examination of the retina with pupil dilation.

Cataract treatment

The only way to treat cataracts is surgically, i.e., removal of the lens followed by implantation of aphakic ones.

Until recently, there were three main methods of cataract extraction.
Phacoemulsification- destruction of the clouded lens using ultrasonic vibrations, followed by removal of the resulting fragments.
Extracapsular cataract extraction - removal of the clouded lens entirely, without fragmentation.
Intracapsular cataract extraction - the entire lens and the surrounding capsule are removed. This technique is rarely used today, but may still be useful in cases of significant traumatic injury.

With the introduction of femtosecond lasers into ophthalmic practice, a new method has emerged - femtolaser cataract extraction(FLEC).

The femtolaser provides extremely high accuracy in performing the main stages of the lens removal operation:
. corneal incision for instrument access,
. opening of the anterior capsule,
. destruction of the clouded lens.
In addition, the use of a femtolaser provides ample opportunities to correct concomitant astigmatism. Currently, there are the following femtolaser systems used in cataract surgery: Lens X (Alcon), Lens Art (Topcon), VICTUS (Bausch+Lomb).

Treatment of cataracts with conservative (Katachrome, Quinax, Vitaiodurol, Taufon, etc.) and folk remedies is ineffective. At best, this “treatment” helps with dry eye syndrome, which is common in older people (the main category of patients with cataracts). It is worth noting that patients who try to treat cataracts with conservative and/or folk remedies may delay their visit to the doctor too much, and if the cataract progresses, this complicates its extraction and increases the traumatic nature of the operation.

Complications of cataract surgery

According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, about 3 million cataract surgeries (IOL implantations) are performed annually in the United States (there are no data for Russia). Moreover, the number of successful operations is more than 98 percent. The complications that arise are now, in most cases, successfully treated conservatively or surgically.

The most common complication is opacification of the posterior capsule of the lens, or “secondary cataract.” It has been established that the frequency of its occurrence depends on the material from which the lens is made. So, for IOLs made of polyacrylic it is up to 10%, while for silicone ones it is already about 40%, and for those made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - 56%. The true reasons leading to this and effective methods of prevention have not currently been established.

It is believed that this complication may be due to the migration of lens epithelial cells remaining after removal into the space between the lens and the posterior capsule, and, as a result, the formation of deposits that impair image quality. The second possible cause is fibrosis of the lens capsule. Treatment is carried out using a YAG laser, which is used to create a hole in the central zone of the clouded posterior capsule of the lens.

In the early postoperative period, an increase in IOP is possible. The reason for this may be incomplete washout of viscoelastic (a special gel-like drug injected into the anterior chamber of the eye to protect its structures from damage) and its entry into the drainage system of the eye, as well as the development of pupillary block when the IOL is displaced towards the iris. In most cases, using anti-glaucoma drops for several days is sufficient.

Cystoid macular edema (Irvine-Gass syndrome) occurs after phacoemulsification of cataracts in approximately 1% of cases. With the extracapsular lens removal technique, this complication is detected in approximately 20 percent of patients. Those suffering from diabetes, uveitis, etc. are at greater risk. The incidence of macular edema also increases after cataract extraction complicated by posterior capsule rupture or vitreous loss. Corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and angiogenesis inhibitors are used for treatment. If conservative treatment fails, vitrectomy may be performed.

Corneal edema is a fairly common complication after cataract removal. The cause may be a decrease in the pumping function of the endothelium, provoked by mechanical or chemical damage during surgery, an inflammatory reaction, or concomitant ocular pathology. In most cases, swelling goes away without any treatment within a few days. In 0.1% of cases, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy develops, in which bullae (blisters) form in the cornea. In such cases, hypertonic solutions or ointments, medicinal contact lenses are used, and the pathology that caused this condition is treated. If there is no effect, a corneal transplant may be performed.

Quite common complications of IOL implantation include postoperative (induced) astigmatism, which can lead to a deterioration in the final functional result of the operation. Its value depends on the method of cataract extraction, the location and length of the incision, whether sutures were applied to seal it, and the occurrence of various complications during the operation. To correct small degrees of astigmatism, they can be prescribed or, if severe, it can be carried out.

Displacement (dislocation) of the IOL is much less common than the complications described above. Retrospective studies showed that the risk of IOL dislocation in patients 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years after implantation was 0.1, 0.1, 0.2, 0.7 and 1.7 percent, respectively. It has also been established that in the presence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and weakness of the zonules of Zinn, the likelihood of lens displacement increases.

After IOL implantation, the risk of development increases. Patients who had complications during surgery, suffered an eye injury in the postoperative period, or had diabetes are more susceptible to this risk. In 50 percent of cases, detachment occurs in the first year after surgery. Most often it develops after intracapsular cataract extraction (5.7%), less often after extracapsular (0.41-1.7%) and phacoemulsification (0.25-0.57%). All patients after IOL implantation should be regularly monitored by an ophthalmologist for early detection of this complication. The principles of treatment are the same as for detachments of other etiologies.

It is extremely rare that choroidal (expulsive) bleeding develops during cataract removal. This is an acute, completely unpredictable condition in which bleeding occurs from the choroidal vessels that lie under the retina and feed it. Risk factors are arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, aphakia, a sudden increase in IOP, axial myopia or, conversely, a very small anterior-posterior size of the eye, inflammation, taking anticoagulants, and old age.

In some cases, it resolves on its own and has little effect on the visual functions of the eye, but sometimes its consequences can lead to loss of the eye. For treatment, complex therapy is used, including local and systemic corticosteroids, drugs with cycloplegic and mydriatic effects, and antiglaucoma drugs. In some cases, surgical treatment may be indicated.

Endophthalmitis is a rare complication of cataract surgery, leading to a significant decrease in visual functions up to their complete loss. The incidence, according to various sources, ranges from 0.13 to 0.7%.

The risk of development increases if the patient has blepharitis, conjunctivitis, canaliculitis, obstruction of the nasolacrimal ducts, entropion, when wearing contact lenses and a prosthesis of the fellow eye, after recent immunosuppressive therapy. Symptoms of intraocular infection are severe redness of the eye, pain, increased sensitivity to light, and decreased vision. In order to prevent endophthalmitis, instillations of a 5% povidone-iodine solution are used before surgery, antibacterial agents are introduced into the chamber or subconjunctivally, and possible foci of infection are sanitized. It is important to preferentially use disposable or carefully reprocess reusable surgical instruments.

Prevention of cataracts

Currently, there are no proven effective ways to prevent the development of cataracts. Secondary prevention involves early diagnosis and treatment of other eye diseases that can cause cataracts, as well as minimizing exposure to factors that contribute to its development.

1. Wearing sunglasses outdoors during the day can reduce the risk of developing cataracts and retinal diseases. Some sunglasses have light filters that reduce the harmful effects of UV rays, which may slow the progression of cataracts.

2. It is believed that taking vitamins, minerals and various plant extracts reduces the likelihood of developing cataracts. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that these remedies are truly effective. There are no known topical or oral medications or supplements that have been shown to be effective in reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts.

3. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is beneficial as it helps prevent the development of other diseases in the human body. Eat right, exercise regularly and don't forget about rest, be sure to avoid smoking.

4. If you have diabetes, tight control of your blood sugar may slow the development of cataracts.

Good vision is the basis of a fulfilling life. Very often, with age, vision begins to decline. One of the most common causes of vision changes with age is the development of cataracts.

Cataract is an eye disease characterized by clouding of the lens, which in turn leads to decreased vision. As a rule, the disease develops simultaneously in both eyes, but one eye is more damaged in the initial stages. Cataracts can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cataracts are quite rare and occur in newborns. In this article we will mainly talk about acquired cataracts.

How do cataracts manifest (signs and symptoms of eye cataracts)

Lens cataract is dangerous because vision loss occurs gradually, and at the first, initial stage, when conservative treatment is most effective, signs of visual impairment are not critical. Unaware that the process of cataract development has already begun, people are in no hurry to see a doctor. Then, as the cloudy area of the lens increases, vision begins to decline. The main complaint is blurriness and blurriness of the image. It becomes difficult to read, watch TV, recognize friends on the street, or drive a car. Objects become fuzzy and blurry, as if looking through foggy glass. It may seem as if there is a spot in front of the eye that is making it difficult to see. Sometimes the so-called glare effect, or glare sensitivity, occurs (from the English glare - dazzling light, bright shine). This condition is characterized by discomfort and blurred vision in bright light and sunny weather. Doubling of objects and their distortion may also be observed. As the disease progresses, the pupil becomes milky white. Depending on the type of cataract and the stage of the disease, complaints may vary. It should be noted that visual impairment due to cataracts cannot be corrected with glasses and contact lenses.

How does lens cataract affect vision?

Cataracts affect the lens of the eye. The lens is one of the main refractive structures of the eye, focusing light rays on the retina. It is an elastic body shaped like a biconvex transparent lens. Essentially, the lens captures light as it passes through the pupil and focuses it onto the retina. Around the lens, the choroid forms the ciliary body, which contains a muscle that regulates the curvature of the lens, which ensures clear and distinct vision of objects at different distances.

The lens in the eye is “suspended” on thin radial threads that encircle it with a circular belt. The outer ends of the threads are attached to the ciliary muscle. When this muscle is relaxed (in the case of focusing the gaze on a distant object), the ring formed by its body has a large diameter, the threads holding the lens are tense, and its curvature, and therefore the refractive power, is minimal. When the ciliary muscle tenses (when viewing a nearby object), its ring narrows, the filaments relax, and the lens becomes more convex and, therefore, more refractive. This property of the lens to change its refractive power, and with it the focal point of the entire eye, is called accommodation.

Thus, we understand that the lens performs a very important function, and disturbances in its functioning directly affect vision.

Changes in the structures of the lens lead to diseases such as cataracts and presbyopia.

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Cataracts and presbyopia

Cataracts (senile) and age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) are eye diseases that are typical for people over forty years of age. Both diseases are associated with the functioning of the lens.

Presbyopia is an age-related progressive decrease in vision, the development of so-called age-related farsightedness, when with age it becomes increasingly difficult to see clearly near, for example, to read. This is mainly due to a decrease in the elasticity of the substance and capsule of the lens, a change in its thickness and shape.

Cataract is clouding of the lens. Its transparency is impaired, which means it stops transmitting a sufficient and complete amount of light rays, and the picture ceases to be clear. The difference between the diseases is also that presbyopia can be corrected with near glasses and contact lenses, while cataracts cannot.

Causes of cataracts

What causes cataracts? For different reasons.

The most common is the so-called senile (age-related) cataract. This type of cataract usually occurs in people over fifty years of age. The cause of its appearance is associated with chemical changes in the lens of the eye.
Complicated cataracts are formed as a result of pathological processes occurring in the eye (for example, inflammation of the choroid, glaucoma) or diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, skin diseases, etc.
Traumatic cataract of the lens is usually caused by mechanical damage, as a result of which intraocular fluid penetrates into the lens capsule.
Toxic cataracts occur due to the harmful effects of certain medications and chemicals.

Risk factors for developing lens cataracts also include:

The presence of cataracts in close relatives;
Prolonged exposure to ionizing or infrared radiation;
Excessive insolation (prolonged exposure to the sun without sunglasses);
Smoking;
Hormonal changes.

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Stages of cataract development

Cataracts usually develop gradually and have several stages of development (maturity).

Initial
Immature
Mature
Overripe

Initial stage of cataract

As a rule, at the initial stage of the disease, vision does not decrease, but the first unpleasant signs of eye cataracts appear:

Visual acuity decreases, a person sees the world as if through a cloudy glass;
Decreased tolerance to bright light;
The appearance of multi-colored circles around the light source;
Color perception is impaired;
Double image;
The appearance of goosebumps, spots, circles before the eyes.

The severity of symptoms and their presence depend on the location of the cataract and the size of the opacities.

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it is important to contact your ophthalmologist for an eye examination. At this stage, the doctor will identify the causes of cataracts and, most likely, will offer conservative treatment.

Conservative treatment

At the initial stage of cataracts, it is very important to stop or significantly slow down its development. The best drops for cataracts are those that contain vitamins, antioxidants and energy sources for the lens of the eye and some other substances, as they improve metabolic processes in the lens and slow down its aging and clouding.

Is it possible to treat cataracts with folk remedies? Traditional medicine will no doubt offer several recipes for treating cataracts, for example, with honey or onions, but will such treatment be effective? It is more advisable to use special ophthalmic drops, such as Oftan Katahrom. These combined drops contain Cytochrome C, which has a pronounced antioxidant effect, the energy source Adenosine and vitamin Nicotinamide, which help improve metabolism in the lens of the eye and slow down the development of cataracts, which is what is required at this stage.

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Immature stage of cataract development

At the second stage of development, cataracts are called immature. The area of opacities in the lens expands, and visual impairment becomes more pronounced. At this stage, the image becomes increasingly blurry and unclear. The process of vision loss inevitably progresses; surgical intervention may be a way out of this condition.

But it is still better, if possible, to delay this stage by identifying cataracts in a timely manner and starting conservative treatment with the help of special drops “Oftan Katahrom”.

Mature stage of cataract

The third stage of cataract is called mature. At this stage, the lens becomes completely cloudy and dense. Vision is practically lost, only the perception of light remains. The changes are visible to the naked eye; the pupil seems to be covered with a white veil. In this situation, the only treatment is surgery.

Overmature stage of cataract

This is the most severe form of cataract. The masses of the lens are completely destroyed, it liquefies and becomes cloudy white. This can lead to further complications: glaucoma, the development of inflammation.

Thus, we can say that at the initial stage they try to stop the development of cataracts using conservative methods. Such treatment is recommended if vision is preserved to such an extent that it does not interfere with a person’s life as usual. Eye drops can be quite effective and help protect the eyes from the progression of cataracts. In this way, a person can delay surgery for a long period of time. In other cases, doctors recommend prompt replacement of the clouded lens with an artificial one.

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How often should you visit an ophthalmologist?

Because vision changes occur in almost everyone as they age, do not wait to see an eye doctor until vision problems become obvious.

If you are between 18 and 30 years old and do not notice any visual impairment, visit an ophthalmologist once every 3 years; from 30 to 45 years - once every 2 years; from the age of 45 years - once a year.

More frequent eye exams are necessary if you notice signs of abnormalities, wear glasses, are over 45 years old, or have any of the following:

Moderate or high myopia;
Cases of glaucoma, myopia, retinal dystrophy in the family;
Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid diseases, systemic diseases;
Taking medications that have unwanted effects on the eyes;
Work associated with visual stress or possible harmful effects on the eyes;
Previous eye surgeries or injuries.

There are contraindications. Specialist consultation required

Cataract is a partial or complete clouding of the eye lens, located inside the eyeball between the iris and the vitreous body. The lens is naturally transparent and acts as a natural lens that refracts light rays and passes them to the retina. When a cataract has lost its transparency, the lens stops transmitting light and vision deteriorates until it is completely lost.

Causes of cataract development and risk groups

Cataracts can develop:

in older people - age-related cataracts (90% of all cataract cases);
in people after injuries - traumatic cataract (4%);
after radiation exposure - radiation cataract (3%);
in newborns - congenital cataracts (3%).

The development of cataracts is promoted by endocrine disorders (metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus), vitamin deficiency, some eye diseases, unfavorable environmental conditions, and long-term use of certain medications. In recent years, it has been proven that active smoking can also cause cataracts.

The ancient Greeks called cataracts “waterfalls” - kataraktes. A person sees as if through a veil, fogged glass. This is the main symptom of cataracts, indicating that the clouding has already affected the central zone of the lens and surgical treatment is required.

How does a person with cataracts see?

Cataract

Normal vision

Not all signs of cataracts are listed here. And, of course, it is important to understand that the same symptoms may indicate the presence of other dangerous eye diseases! Only a competent specialist can determine what exactly caused the deterioration of vision and take adequate therapeutic measures.

The lens contains protein compounds that have certain physicochemical and biological properties and ensure the transparency of the lens. Under the influence of age-related changes in the body, denaturation of protein compounds occurs - a violation of the structure of protein molecules, that is, the loss of their natural properties. Imagine egg white: when cooked, it loses its transparency and turns white. This is the process of denaturation, and it is no longer possible to return transparency to the protein. We can say that similar processes occur in the lens of the human eye.

How quickly does a cataract mature?

The process of clouding the lens is irreversible!

Don't wait for your cataract to fully mature and don't lose your vision! Doctors recommend treatment for cataracts as soon as they begin to interfere with normal visual life.

With age-related cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy gradually; the process can take from 4 to 15 years. At the initial stage of cataracts, opacities can affect only the periphery of the lens, do not enter the optical zone and do not affect vision. Then the changes affect the central part, preventing the passage of light, and vision noticeably deteriorates. With overripe cataracts, visual acuity is reduced to light perception. As the cataract develops, the color of the pupil, instead of black, gradually becomes grayish, grayish-white, or milky-white. In these cases, cataracts can be seen even without special equipment.

Cataracts in the elderly

Age-related cataracts are the most common. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, in 70-80% of cases, cataracts develop in people after 70 years of age. However, age-related cataracts can develop earlier, at the age of 45 - 50 years. Often age-related cataracts are called senile, but this name cannot be considered correct.

The main reason for the development of age-related cataracts- changes in the biochemical composition of the lens due to age-related processes in the body. Clouding of the lens from the point of view of the functioning of the human body is a completely natural phenomenon, therefore no one is immune from cataracts.

Congenital cataract in a child

Congenital cataracts account for more than half of all congenital visual defects. Cataracts in newborns are caused by genetic changes in the structure of proteins necessary to ensure the transparency of the lens. The causes of cataracts in children under one year of age can be diabetes in the mother, infectious diseases of the mother in the first trimester of pregnancy, or taking certain medications. The main thing in this case is early diagnosis of congenital cataracts. If the location and size of the cloudiness in the lens do not interfere with the proper development of the organ of vision, then such cataracts do not require emergency surgical treatment.

The most common congenital cataracts are:

CAPSULARY. Isolated opacification of the anterior or posterior capsule of the lens. The degree of vision loss depends on the size of the capsule opacification. The development of capsular cataracts can be caused by maternal diseases during pregnancy or intrauterine inflammatory processes.
POLAR. The lesion extends to both the capsule and the substance of the lens at the anterior or posterior poles. In most cases, bilateral cataracts occur. Size and shape vary significantly, which determines its effect on vision.
LAYERED (zonular). The most common form of congenital cataract. In the vast majority of cases it is bilateral. Located in the center, around a transparent (or slightly cloudy) core. Vision always decreases, most often very significantly, to 0.1 and below.
NUCLEAR. It develops in both eyes, has a pronounced family-hereditary nature, most often vision decreases to a very low level - 0.1 and below. In cases where the opacification is limited to the embryonic nucleus, vision may decrease slightly or not at all.
FULL. The disease is usually bilateral. The clinical picture is varied and depends on the degree of lens opacity. When a cataract is fully developed, the entire lens becomes cloudy. The child is blind and has only light perception. It can develop before birth or mature in the first months of life. Complete cataracts are combined with other defects in eye development (microphthalmos, choroidal coloboma, macular hypoplasia, nystagmus, strabismus, etc.). Complete cataracts can sometimes have a tendency to resolve, and then a film remains in the area of the pupil - membranous cataract.
COMPLICATED. The cause of its development may be galactosemia, diabetes, viral rubella and other serious diseases. Often accompanied by other birth defects (heart defects, deafness).

The main thing in this case is early diagnosis of congenital cataracts. If the location and size of the cloudiness in the lens do not interfere with the proper development of the organ of vision, then such cataracts do not require emergency surgical treatment. If the clouding prevents the flow of light rays to the retina and the development of central vision in the baby, then it is necessary to remove this obstacle as soon as possible in order for the child’s visual system to develop correctly. Treatment of congenital cataracts at the Excimer Clinic is carried out even in the youngest children, starting from three months.

Diagnosis of cataracts

Modern diagnostic devices and techniques at the Excimer clinic make it possible to detect cataracts even in the early stages. At the initial stage of cataract development, a person may not even suspect the presence of the disease, but the biochemical process has already started, the lens will gradually lose transparency, and the person will lose vision. Many people confuse cataracts with another age-related change, similar in symptoms, but different in nature - age-related farsightedness. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by an ophthalmologist using special instruments. The main thing in diagnosing cataracts is examination using a light (slit) lamp - biomicroscopy of the eye. Also important are studies such as determining visual acuity, examining the fundus, examining visual fields, and measuring intraocular pressure. At the stage of calculating the parameters of the artificial lens, the Excimer clinic uses a unique device - the Zeiss optical coherent biometer IOL-master.

The only effective way to get rid of cataracts is surgical treatment, during which the clouded lens is replaced with a transparent artificial lens, whose properties are as close as possible to natural ones. At the Excimer clinic, cataract treatment is carried out using the most advanced technique - ultrasound phacoemulsification of cataracts, including femtolaser assistance.

Cataract treatment

Treatment for cataracts includes both drug therapy and the use of radical surgical methods.

Drug therapy

Eye drops help improve metabolic processes in the lens and eye tissues surrounding this natural lens of the human visual system, due to which the process of cataract development can be stopped. However, it is important to understand that modern medicine does not have a drug that can solve the problem of cataracts and gain good vision without surgery.

Before using any medications, be sure to consult an ophthalmologist!

Remember: cataracts cannot be cured with drops!

Cataract surgery

The essence of cataract surgery is the replacement of the clouded natural lens of the human eye with an intraocular lens. The operation is performed without anesthesia, takes only about 15 - 20 minutes and is usually tolerated quite easily. Local drip anesthesia used during the intervention eliminates unnecessary stress on the cardiovascular system and the body as a whole; the high safety of the procedure allows patients of any age group to be operated on. The rehabilitation period after cataract surgery is short and occurs with a minimum of restrictions.

Modern artificial lenses have a yellow filter that protects the retina from harmful ultraviolet radiation. As a rule, their design has an aspherical component, which allows them to obtain high-quality, clear and contrasting images both during the day and in the evening. The design of multifocal intraocular lenses provides several optical foci, allowing for maximum visual acuity both at distant distances and near, which gives the patient the opportunity to completely get rid of glasses.

Prevention of cataracts

Unfortunately, no one is immune from this disease, and we can roughly say that if people lived to 120 - 150 years, then everyone would have cataracts.

However, it should be noted that cataracts are not always part of the natural aging process.

Factors that provoke the development of cataracts can be endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, eye injuries, exposure to unfavorable environmental conditions, long-term use of certain medications, a number of common diseases - and this is not the whole list. Cataract prevention may include the following:

protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation, do not neglect wearing sunglasses, especially in situations where your eyes are exposed to direct and reflected solar radiation - from water, snow, etc.;
include in your menu foods rich in vitamins and microelements that are beneficial for vision;
stop smoking;
Monitor the condition of your body, including being sure to pay attention to the prevention of endocrine disorders.

And the main rule: Have an annual preventive examination with an ophthalmologist. Modern high-precision diagnostic equipment makes it possible to detect the development of the disease in the early stages - and take the necessary therapeutic measures as quickly as possible, preventing the development of dangerous complications.

Cataracts are successfully treated!

Surgical treatment at the Excimer clinic is painless, quick and effective. The use of modern equipment allows cataract surgery to be performed in the most gentle manner possible, while obtaining high-quality vision. During the short recovery period, patients do not lose independence and do not need additional care; postoperative restrictions are short-lived and minimal.

Cost of basic services

Service	Price, rub.)	By map
Cataract treatment
Phacoemulsification of cataracts ?	40500 ₽	38000 ₽
intraocular lens ?	62500 ₽	59000 ₽
Intraocular lens with SPECIAL optical characteristics ? During cataract surgery, a lens is implanted that protects the retina from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays, providing good twilight vision. After surgery you will need glasses for close work.	75000 ₽	71500 ₽
Phacoemulsification of cataract with TORIC intraocular lens implantation ? During cataract surgery, a lens is implanted to correct existing astigmatism. The lens protects the retina from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays and provides good twilight vision. After surgery you will need glasses for close work.	85000 ₽	81000 ₽
Phacoemulsification of cataract with implantation of TRIFOCAL intraocular lens ? During cataract surgery, a lens is implanted that imitates the natural accommodation of the eye and provides soft focusing of vision at any distance. The lens also protects the retina from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays and provides good twilight vision.	175000 ₽	169700 ₽
Femtosecond support for phacoemulsification ? The main stages of cataract surgery - the formation of corneal tunnels, access to the lens capsule, fragmentation of the lens - are carried out without mechanical instruments, using a surgical femtosecond laser.	55000 ₽	52000 ₽

Cost of basic services

Service	Price, rub.)	By map
Cataract treatment
Phacoemulsification of cataract with intraocular lens implantation ? Ultrasound-assisted cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. After surgery you will need glasses for close work.	40500 ₽	38000 ₽
Phacoemulsification of complicated cataract with intraocular lens implantation ? Surgery to remove cataracts in a complicated case using ultrasound with implantation of an intraocular lens. After surgery you will need glasses for close work.	62500 ₽	59000 ₽