Difference between revisions of "Cataract"
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| − | A '''cataract''' is a clouding of the lens in the [[eye]]. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all people in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.{{ | + | A '''cataract''' is a clouding of the lens in the [[eye]]. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all people in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.<ref name=NIH2009>{{cite web|title=Facts About Cataract|url=https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts|accessdate=24 May 2015|date=September 2009}}</ref> |
Common symptoms are | Common symptoms are | ||
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Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. [[cataract surgery|Surgery]] is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block [[ultraviolet light|ultraviolet sunlight]] may help to delay cataracts.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html</ref> | Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. [[cataract surgery|Surgery]] is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block [[ultraviolet light|ultraviolet sunlight]] may help to delay cataracts.<ref>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html</ref> | ||
| + | Cataract removal can be performed at any stage in the progression of the disease and no longer requires ripening of the lens. Surgery is usually performed without a hospital stay using [[local anaesthetic|local anesthesia]]. About 9 of 10 patients can achieve a corrected vision of 20/40 or better after surgery.<ref name=Bollinger_2008>{{cite journal | author = Bollinger KE, Langston RH | title = What can patients expect from cataract surgery? | journal = Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine | volume = 75 | issue = 3 | pages = 193–196, 199–196 | year = 2008 | pmid = 18383928 | doi = 10.3949/ccjm.75.3.193 }}</ref> While cataracts do not cause [[astigmatism]], custom designed lenses can be implanted to both replace the cataract and correct the patient's astigmatism. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 12:40, March 21, 2016
A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all people in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.[1]
Common symptoms are
- Blurry vision
- Colors that seem faded
- Glare
- Not being able to see well at night
- Double vision
- Frequent prescription changes in your eye wear
Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.[2]
Cataract removal can be performed at any stage in the progression of the disease and no longer requires ripening of the lens. Surgery is usually performed without a hospital stay using local anesthesia. About 9 of 10 patients can achieve a corrected vision of 20/40 or better after surgery.[3] While cataracts do not cause astigmatism, custom designed lenses can be implanted to both replace the cataract and correct the patient's astigmatism.
References
- ↑ Facts About Cataract (September 2009). Retrieved on 24 May 2015.
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html
- ↑ Bollinger KE, Langston RH (2008). "What can patients expect from cataract surgery?". Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine 75 (3): 193–196, 199–196. doi:10.3949/ccjm.75.3.193. PMID 18383928.