According to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey (2015-2019), untreated cataracts accounted for 66.2% of blindness cases among individuals aged 50 and above. So, if cataracts are treatable, where does this high ratio come from?
Several factors, like India’s tropical location, the prominence of diseases like diabetes, prolonged UV exposure, aging, etc., cause cataracts. But when it comes to the delayed surgery, it is mainly due to a lack of accessibility (rural areas) and awareness.
That’s why we always advise our patients to gain clear information about their condition so that they can understand the symptoms and seek medical help before it’s too late.
You would be surprised to know that a lot of people with cataracts don’t even realise that it’s a disease and can be treated. They label it as “an aging problem” and choose to do nothing about it, which ultimately worsens the condition.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what cataracts are and how they gradually affect vision. So, if you have been facing vision problems, you might find something valuable in it.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. This lens helps light fall onto the retina, letting us see. When it becomes cloudy, the light struggles to pass through, creating vision problems. A person with cataracts sees things hazy, develops light sensitivity, experiences frequent changes in eye prescriptions, etc.
What Happens in the Beginning?
Cataract symptoms might not be very noticeable in the beginning. If it occurs in one eye, the other makes up for it, making your vision seem normal, and as it progresses slowly, our brain adapts to the vision changes, further masking the symptoms. However, you still can experience these:
- Slightly blurry vision, as if you were looking through a smudged lens
- Difficulty in driving
- Not being able to bear strong headlights or sunlight
- Frequent changes in your eye prescriptions
- Not being able to see in low light
- Seeing halos around lights
- Colours appearing yellowish
What Does a Mature Cataract Look Like?
A mature cataract has similar symptoms to what people feel in the beginning, but more intense. In this stage, the vision becomes more cloudy, and daily activities get disrupted. You can experience:
- Severely blurred vision
- Cloudy spots in the pupil
- A prominent difficulty in reading and even recognizing faces
- Difficulty in seeing at night
What is a Hypermature Cataract?
When a cataract reaches the hypermature stage, you might experience complete vision loss in the affected eye, and sometimes it can lead to other more complex vision problems like secondary glaucoma as well.
- Complete vision loss in the affected eye
- Pain or redness in the eye
- Increased eye pressure
- Swelling or inflammation
Types of Cataract Surgeries
Surgery is the only treatment for cataracts. Remember, using eye drops or any other self-medication might worsen the condition. Therefore, it is important to get your eyes checked whenever you notice any of these symptoms mentioned above.
As far as the surgeries are concerned, at Sohana Eye Hospital, 3 types of cataract surgeries are done based on the patients’ eye condition. Here’s a closer look:
| Surgery Name | Procedure |
| MICS (Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery) | In this surgery, the incision is less than 2 mm, which ensures less discomfort and faster recovery. |
| FLACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery | FLACS is a bladeless surgery. The incision is done with a laser, leading to the highest precision and better results. |
| Robotic + AI Cataract Surgery | This innovative surgery uses robotics and AI to ensure the highest accuracy, precision, and proper customization as per the patients’ eye structure. |
Conclusion:
Cataract is a very preventable and treatable eye disease, but as it matures, it may lead to more surgical complexities and even prolonged discomfort in the eye. Therefore, if you think that your vision problems are cataract symptoms, consult a doctor without further delay. Remember, the earlier the surgery is done, the quicker you heal. For any services related to cataract surgery in Mohali, visit Sohana Eye Hospital, and till the next time we meet, keep an eye on your eyes.
