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What is a cataract?
A cataract is the clouding of the lens in the eye, which is the part of the eye that focuses light. Cataracts can cause vision loss.
When you’re young, the lens in your eye is clear. Around age 40, the proteins in the lens of your eye start to break down and clump together. This clump makes a cloudy area on your lens — known as a cataract. Over time, the cataract gets worse and makes more of your lens cloudy.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Cataracts blur or dull a person’s vision, making everything look slightly brown. Some people notice a problem when they keep needing new eyeglasses prescriptions, and for others, headlights and other lights develop a glare.
How prevalent is cataract in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, cataract blindness is twice as common in the Southeast than in the Southwest.
In women, cataract blindness is almost twice as common as in men.
In rural areas, cataract blindness is almost five times more common than in urban areas.
Is there a test for cataracts?
Yes. Your healthcare provider might be able to see your cataracts just by looking in your eye. But if it seems like you have cataracts, your healthcare provider will probably send you to an eye doctor. Eye doctors can usually diagnose cataracts in minutes.
If you have vision loss, it could be caused by more than one thing. An eye doctor can check you for the most common causes of vision loss by doing a “comprehensive eye exam.” During this exam, the doctor will:
8Check how well you see things up close and far away
8Check how well you see things that are at the center of focus and how well you see things that are off to the sides
8Measure the pressure inside your eye using a special device
8Look into the back of your eyes to check for signs of nerve damage
How are cataracts treated?
The primary treatment for cataracts involves surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new man-made one. Not everyone needs treatment. If you have cataracts, it’s primarily up to you to decide if and when to have surgery.
Cataract surgery is pretty simple, but it can lead to problems, such as infection or pain. At the same time, the surgery can significantly improve vision in people with severe cataracts.
How do I decide about surgery?
If you are thinking about surgery, ask your doctor these questions:
8What are the risks of surgery for me? (If you have any other health problems, ask how they might affect the results of the surgery.)
8How much will my vision improve if I have the surgery?
8Is it possible the surgery will NOT work?
8Are my cataracts the only thing causing my vision problems? (If you have other eye conditions, surgery might not help with those.)
8What will my recovery be like?
8Can both eyes be done at the same time? (If not, ask how it will feel to have one eye treated and the other not. Also, ask what is involved in getting the second eye done.)
After you get all this information from your doctor, ask yourself:
8How much do my vision problems limit me?
8Can I do all the things I need to do with the vision I have left?
8Have I stopped doing things I love, such as reading or knitting, because I can’t see well anymore?
8How do I feel about the possible risks of surgery?
8How will I feel if the surgery causes problems or does not work?
8Will there be someone who can help me while I recover?
Think it over. Then, work with your doctor to decide whether surgery is right for you.
How quick is the Surgery Recovery
Avoid driving on the first day after surgery.
Avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks.
Be careful when bending over immediately after surgery.
Avoid swimming or using a bathtub during the first week.
Can cataracts be prevented?
You can reduce your chances of getting cataracts by not smoking or quitting if you already smoke.
MKO Abimbola holds a doctoral degree in physician associate studies from the United States of America and is a Harvard Medical School scholar. He specializes in Internal medicine, Acute care, Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgical services.
English (US) ·