In a nutshell, the word cataract is describes any cloudiness of vision which reduces the clarity of your eye lens

In a nutshell, the word cataract is describes any cloudiness of vision which reduces the clarity of your eye lens.
Cataracts are the biggest cause of blindness in the world. The good news however is that theyre easily treatable with surgery cataract removal is currently the most common operation carried out in the UK today.
The following guide will look into the causes, diagnosis of this condition, as well as what you can expect from cataract surgery.
Conditions Causing Cataract Development
The simple ageing process is the most common cause of cataracts as people grow older, the eye lens becomes less clear until, eventually, a cataract that causes noticeable reduction in vision develops. While this condition called lens opacity will occur to some degree in around 75% of people over the age of 65, most will not require any kind of treatment.
Cataracts are also more prevalent in people who have:
.Diabetes.
.A condition where taking corticosteroid tablets is necessary (particularly for long periods of time).
.Experienced a previous inflammation or significant injury to the eye.
.A family history of cataracts.
Very rarely, children are born with congenital cataracts. The paediatrician who examines babies before they leave the hospital will look for this.
Diagnosing Cataracts
If you find your vision is noticeably deteriorating, you should pay a visit to your optometrist (optician) so they can undertake a full examination of your eyes. They will firstly ensure that youre wearing the best possible Oakley Sunglasses Sale  , and then determine whether you should be referred to an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon).
Cataract Treatment
Since there are no drops or tablets which can treat cataracts, the only way to rectify the condition and restore your vision is through cataract surgery.
In the past, doctors used to wait for a cataract to get more severe before they performed the procedure, but this is no longer the case. Now, anyone who has a cataract that is giving rise to vision problems will be a candidate for cataract surgery, although the decision is made on an individual basis according to the demands each person places on their eyesight.
The operation itself is usually done under local anaesthetic (using injections around the eye or drops into the eye), meaning you will be awake but youll not feel any pain. You can request a general anaesthetic to be totally unconscious during the procedure, but this would be unusual.
There are two main approaches to cataract surgery:
Phacoemulsification
In the UK, the majority of cataracts are removed in this way. Using ultrasound, a small hole is made into the eye and the lens is thus broken up and removed.
The lens capsule (this holds the lens in place) is not removed, but a plastic artificial lens is put inside the eye to replace the natural lens that has been clouded over. The operation is usually carried out on an outpatient, day basis, and stitches are not generally used.
Extracapsular
This approach entails a larger opening made in the eye through which the lens is removed and the artificial plastic lens inserted. Stitches will be needed to close the wound, and the recovery time is longer than with the Phacoemulsification method.
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Post Surgery Treatment
In most cases, shortly after the operation youll be given a tablet to reduce the pressure inside your eye. You will also be given drops to put in your eye regularly for two to four weeks. These drops consist of a combination of antibiotics to prevent any infection and corticosteroid to reduce inflammation.
Prognosis
Following Cataract Surgery, you can usually expect rapid recovery of your vision and there will only be minor interruptions to your normal daily activities. You will however be advised not to go swimming for the first six weeks as this increases the risk of infection, and not to do any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the first month (two months in the case of extracapsular surgery). You may initially also have some difficulty reading because the new plastic lens needs time to regain its ability to focus, so a pair of reading glasses will be prescribed for three to four weeks after the procedure (which increases to six to eight weeks for extracapsular surgery). All in all however, most people who undergo the operation are pleased with the significant improvement to their vision.
Angela Cilano is a medical researcher and consultant on Cataract Surgery.