Cataract – symptoms, causes, treatment and surgery

In today’s article, we will look at one of the most common eye diseases, cataracts.

We will discuss its symptoms, causes, various treatment methods, including surgery, and what to do after surgery. Find out if cataracts can come back and if dietary supplements with lutein can help treat them.

Symptoms of cataracts

A cataract is an eye disease that causes clouding of the lens responsible for visual acuity. Symptoms of cataracts may vary, but the most common are:

• Cloudiness or blurriness of vision.
• Problems seeing at night.
• Decreased visual acuity.
• Appearance of flashing lights.
• Perceiving colors as dull or faded.

What are the causes of cataracts?

The causes of cataracts may be different, but the aging process plays the most important role. As we age, the lens of our eye becomes less flexible and loses transparency. Other risk factors include:

• Smoking tobacco.
• Exposure of eyes to UV rays.
• Diabetes.
• Eye injuries.

Cataract treatment

Treatment of cataracts depends on the severity of the disease. In the initial stages, drug treatment can be tried, but in most cases surgery is necessary. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and implanting an artificial lens.

Qualification for cataract treatment

The decision to perform cataract surgery depends on the degree of visual impairment and the patient’s daily activities. The doctor carefully assesses whether the patient is properly qualified for the procedure. Many patients experience significant improvements in their quality of life after cataract surgery.

Effects of cataract surgical treatment

After cataract surgery, patients usually see significant improvement in visual acuity. The surgery is relatively safe and complications are rare. The effects of cataract surgery may be permanent, but require regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist.

Treatment of cataract after surgery

After cataract surgery, it is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations. The patient should avoid exposing their eyes to excessive UV radiation, wear sunglasses and have their eyes checked regularly. Regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist are essential.

Can cataracts reappear after surgery?

Although cataract surgery is an effective treatment, it is not a guarantee that cataracts will not recur. The eye may change over time. Therefore, it is important to monitor the condition of your eyes and respond to any changes.

Do dietary supplements with lutein treat cataracts?

Dietary supplements with lutein and other nutrients may support eye health, but they are not a cure for cataracts. However, there is plenty of research to suggest that proper diet and supplementation can help prevent cataracts and delay their progression.

Your suggestions

If you have any suggestions or questions about cataracts, treatment or prevention, please consult your ophthalmologist. He is the one who can best advise appropriate actions in your case.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about cataracts and eye health, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “How to take care of your eye health?”
• “Diet and supplements supporting eye health.”
• “Risk of cataracts in older people – how to protect against it?”

Remember that regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist are crucial to maintaining eye health, especially if cataracts are suspected.

Take care of your eyes, because healthy eyes are the key to maintaining the full quality of life!