Cataracts are when changes in the lens of the eye cause it to become cloudy and less transparent. This means the patient’s vision also becomes cloudy/misty and it can have significant implications on their daily life.
The lens sits behind the pupil, when light enters the eye it passed through the cornea (transparent tissue at the front of the eye) and the lens, which focuses it on the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).
Cataracts can develop as the eyes age making it difficult for the lens to focus the light properly and preventing some of the light from getting through. As cataracts become worse they can start to affect the patient’s vision and eventually surgery may be needed to replace the lens.
Mlipuko wa jicho ni wakati mabadiliko katika lensi ya jicho husababisha kuwa na mawingu na kuwa yasiyo wazi. Hii inamaanisha maono ya mgonjwa pia inakuwa na mawingu na inaweza kuwa na athari kubwa kwenye maisha yao ya kila siku. Lens iko nyuma ya pupil, wakati mwanga unaingia jicho hupita kupitia cornea (tissue ya uwazi mbele ya jicho) na lensi, ambayo inazingatia tishu nyeti ya mwanga nyuma ya jicho (retina). Cataracts inaweza kutokea wakati macho ya umri, na hivyo kufanya vigumu kwa lensi ya kuzingatia mwanga vizuri na kuzuia baadhi ya mwanga kutoka kupata kupitia. Kadiri cataracts inavyozidi kuwa mbaya wanaweza kuanza kuathiri maono ya mgonjwa na hatimaye upasuaji unaweza kuhitajika kuchukua nafasi ya lensi.