Do Cataracts Turn Into Glaucoma? Here’s What You Should Know

There has been a widely held misconception among people that cataracts slowly turn into glaucoma if left untreated. But the actual scenario tells otherwise. These two diseases are completely different and do not cause each other often. 

However, it has been seen in some rare cases that patients with cataracts were later diagnosed with glaucoma too.Therefore, getting accurate information about your eye problems becomes essential. Falling for such misconceptions can lead to worsening of the condition. 

In this blog, we’ll talk about cataracts and glaucoma in detail, show how they are different from each other, and how you can get the right treatment for both, because the right information gives you a clear idea about your diagnosis leading to the right treatment.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are a condition where the natural lens of our eye becomes cloudy, which causes various symptoms like: 

• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Night blindness
• Halos around lights
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty in driving or reading

Let’s understand this more easily. Have you ever tried clicking a picture on your phone with oil prints on the camera? Yes, we don’t deliberately do that, but it happens, right? A person with cataracts sees the world the same way, which is blurry. 

However, cataracts are not limited to blurry vision. As mentioned earlier, it can cause a lot of other symptoms that can restrict day-to-day activities and can also cause blindness if not treated for a long time. 

Causes:

Though cataracts are usually associated with age-related vision problems, there are other reasons as well behind why they happen, which are: 

1. Prolonged exposure to UV rays
2. Use of steroid medication
3. Smoking and alcohol consumption
4. Previous eye injury or trauma
5. Genetics
6. Diabetes 
7. Radiation

What is Glaucoma?

What happens in glaucoma is that the intraocular pressure in the eye increases and damages the optic nerve, which causes the following symptoms: 

1. Peripheral vision loss
2. Tunnel vision
3. Headache
4. Eye pain
5. Sudden blurred vision, etc.

Note: Glaucoma doesn’t always have symptoms and can sometimes be diagnosed only in later stages. 

Causes: 

1. Increased IOP
2. Genetics
3. Aging (More prominent in people above 40+)
4. Eye injuries
5. Severe myopia or hyperopia
6. Ethnicity (higher risk for Asian descent)
7. Medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine, etc. 
8. Other eye conditions, like tumors or inflammation

Can Cataracts Turn Into Glaucoma? 

Cataracts don’t usually turn into glaucoma. Cataract is a lens-related vision problem, whereas glaucoma is a nerve-related vision problem. So, if someone has a cataract in their eye, it doesn’t mean that they’ll develop glaucoma too. 

However, it has been seen in some rare cases that a cataract causes excessive swelling on the lens, leading to increased pressure in the eye, further leading to glaucoma. But again, this is rare to happen because before reaching the stage, a person might experience severe discomfort and seek medical attention. 

Can a Person Get Both Cataract and Glaucoma at the Same Time?

It is not an unnatural thing to happen in older adults. But, having them together doesn’t indicate a complex situation. They both are treatable with minimally invasive surgeries and prescribed aftercare. 

Treatments Available for Both Eye Conditions

Cataracts can only be treated with surgery, while glaucoma, in earlier stages, can be treated with oral medications. Refer to the table below for a clear understanding: 

Vision Problem	Treatments
Cataracts	MICS Surgery	FLACS Surgery	Robotic + AI Cataract Surgery
Glaucoma	Oral Medications	Laser Treatment	Glaucoma Surgery

Can Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery Be Done Together?

Yes, your surgeon can recommend you for a combined surgery if:

1. The glaucoma is well-managed
2. IOP is in control
3. You have a healthy cornea and retina
4. No sign of an eye infection or inflammation
5. No other eye diseases

How to Prevent These Conditions?

Usual changes like lowering screen time, avoiding excessive smoking or alcohol consumption, using UV protective specs, etc., can be done.

It is very important to remember that vision problems, if diagnosed early, can be treated effectively and more quickly. It is necessary to get your eyes checked at least once a year and seek professional medical care if you experience any discomfort. Avoid doing self-diagnosis as it can be misleading.

Conclusion:

If you or anybody you know is experiencing symptoms related to cataracts, delaying isn’t the solution; surgery is. Visit Sohana Eye Hospital to receive advanced cataract treatment in Mohali for a painless experience and faster recovery. Remember, cataract and glaucoma can be treated completely. All you need to do is seek medical help at the right time.