Worldwide, Cataract is the second most leading cause of preventable blindness. So let's know a few more facts about it.
Cataract is opacification of the natural crystalline lens resulting in diminished vision. It occurs when protein clumps start to accumulate in natural lens. A white opaque film is formed and it prevents light from passing through the lens, to reach the retina. It is an age-related disorder and is usually classified according to the anatomical location within the lens and degree of clouding of lens.
1. AGE- People above 60 years are at high risk of developing cataract.
2. DIABETES- Uncontrolled Diabetic people develop cataract faster than normal healthier people.
3. DRUGS- Long-term use of steroids or other drugs can result in cataract.
4. EXPOSURE- UV-rays affect our eyes and can also cause cataract.
5. TRAUMA- Cataract can also be trauma induced.
6. GENETIC DISEASES like Galactosemia, Down’s syndrome etc. are associated with development of cataract.
7. CONGENITAL INFECTIONS like Herpes simplex, Rubella etc. May also result in cataract.
8. Few ailments like Atopic dermatitis, hypothyroidism and hyper - parathyroidism are also associated with early development of cataract.
6. Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
It can be easily diagnosed by an ophthalmologist during a detailed eye examination.
Surgical removal of opaque lens is the only treatment available. After surgery, patient is advised to limit his/her routine activities for only couple of days. It is a daycare surgery with fast recovery.
There is no re-occurrence of cataract once it is removed. However, there is a possibility that the capsule behind the Intra ocular lens may become cloudy with time and leads to blurred vision. This can easily be treated with a laser procedure in Ophthalmology OPD.
There is no scientifically proven method that can help prevent cataract. Its progression can be avoided or slowed down by healthy diet, avoiding smoking, wearing UV protection sun glasses etc.
Ulimwenguni pote, ugonjwa wa cataract ndio kisababishi cha pili kwa ukubwa cha upofu unaoweza kuepukwa. Kwa hiyo hebu tujue mambo mengine machache kuhusu hilo. Cataract ni opacification ya kioo kiasili kioo kusababisha kupungua kwa maono. Inatokea wakati makundi ya protini yanapoanza kujikusanya katika lensi ya asili. Filamu nyeupe isiyo na uwazi hufanyizwa na huzuia nuru isiingie ndani ya lensi, ili ifikie retina. Ugonjwa huu unahusiana na umri na kwa kawaida hugawanywa kulingana na eneo la anatomiki ndani ya lensi na kiwango cha kuchafuka kwa lensi. 1. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Watu wenye umri wa miaka 60 na zaidi wana hatari kubwa ya kuambukizwa cataracts. 2. Uwezekano wa kupata DIABETES- Watu wenye kisukari kisichoweza kudhibitiwa hupata cataract haraka kuliko watu wa kawaida wenye afya. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli DROGES- Matumizi ya muda mrefu ya steroids au dawa nyingine za kulevya yanaweza kusababisha cataract. 4. Uwe na uhakika KUFUNA: Miale ya UV huathiri macho yetu na pia yaweza kusababisha cataract. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Mshtuko wa akili - Cataract yaweza pia kusababishwa na majeraha. 6. Uwe na uhakika MAUGENETIC DISEASES kama Galactosemia, Down's syndrome nk. Inaweza kusababisha maendeleo ya cataracts. 7. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Ugonjwa wa kuzaliwa kama vile herpes simplex, rubella na kadhalika. Pia yaweza kusababisha cataract. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Magonjwa machache kama vile Atopic dermatitis, hypothyroidism na hyper - parathyroidism pia yanahusishwa na maendeleo ya mapema ya cataract. 6. Uwe na uhakika Mabadiliko ya mara kwa mara katika dawa ya miwani inaweza kugunduliwa kwa urahisi na daktari wa macho wakati wa uchunguzi wa kina wa jicho. Upasuaji wa kuondoa kioo kisicho na uwazi ndio tiba pekee inayopatikana. Baada ya upasuaji, mgonjwa anapendekezwa kupunguza shughuli zake za kawaida kwa siku chache tu. Ni upasuaji wa utunzaji wa siku wenye kupona haraka. Cataract haipatikani tena baada ya kuondolewa. Hata hivyo, kuna uwezekano kwamba capsule nyuma ya lensi Intra ocular inaweza kuwa cloudy na muda na inaongoza kwa maono blurred. Hii inaweza kutibiwa kwa urahisi na utaratibu wa laser katika Ophthalmology OPD. Hakuna njia iliyoonyeshwa kisayansi inayoweza kusaidia kuzuia cataract. Madhara ya ugonjwa huu yanaweza kuepukwa au kupunguzwa kwa kutumia chakula kizuri, kuepuka kuvuta sigara, kuvaa miwani ya jua ya ulinzi wa UV, na kadhalika.