Managing Cataracts: When is the Right Time for Surgery?

Cataract is a medical condition in which the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, impairing vision. It develops slowly and can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, glare from bright lights, and discoloration of objects that look fainter. The main cause is aging, but other factors such as eye injury, exposure to radiation, or certain medical conditions such as diabetes can also trigger the development of cataracts.

Causes of Cataracts

The most common cause of cataracts is the aging process, where the proteins in the lens of the eye begin to change and cause clouding. In addition, other factors that can trigger cataracts include:

1. Exposure to UV rays from the sun.

2.History of eye injury.

3. Health conditions, such as diabetes.

4. Use of certain medications, such as long-term corticosteroids.

5. Genetic factors, where a family history of cataracts increases the risk.

6. Lifestyle, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Cataract Prevention and Treatment

Cataract prevention can be done with the following steps:

1.Protect the eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses with UV protection.

2.Maintain a healthy diet, especially foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.

3.Quit smoking as smoking increases the risk of cataracts.

4.Managing medical conditions such as diabetes that can accelerate cataract development.

5.Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

6.Having regular eye examinations especially after the age of 40 to detect cataracts early.

Cataracts usually develop slowly and do not require surgery in the early stages. However, the right time for cataract surgery depends on how much the cataract is affecting one's quality of life. When vision begins to interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving or working, then surgery becomes the recommended option. Consulting an ophthalmologist to evaluate the cataract condition and assess readiness for surgery is an important step before deciding on a course of action.

Cataract management mainly involves surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. The first step is usually monitoring by an ophthalmologist until symptoms affect daily activities. In addition, prevention can be done by wearing UV-protective glasses, controlling medical conditions such as diabetes, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet rich in antioxidants. However, the only permanent solution to cataracts is through surgery.

ECCE (Extracapsular Cataract Extraction) and PHACO (Phacoemulsification) surgery are two methods used to remove cataracts, but there are some key differences between the two:

1.ECCE (Extracapsular Cataract Extraction) surgery: ECCE involves removing the entire cataractous lens at the same time, including the anterior capsule of the lens. This is usually done through a larger incision (around 10-12 mm), recovery time may be longer due to the larger incision size.

2.PHACO (Phacoemulsification): PHACO uses ultrasound technique to break the cataractous lens into small pieces which are then suctioned out through a small incision (about 2-3 mm) and reduces trauma to the surrounding tissues, the recovery process is faster due to the smaller incision size.

If you experience symptoms of cataracts, consult immediately with an ophthalmologist at the nearest Hermina Hospital, or you can also consult with our doctors online through Halo Hermina.

Reference:

Mayo Clinic. Accessed on 2024. Cataracts.

Apa itu Katarak?.Accessed on 2024. P2PTM Kemenkes