5 Common Reasons For Cataract Surgery

Cataracts is a common eye disorder that occurs when a cloudy patch develops in the lens of the eye. According to the National Eye Institute, more than 50% of the US population develops cataracts, or undergoes cataract surgery by 80 years of age. Here are five factors that could lead to cataract surgery:

1. Diabetes

People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts over time compared to non-diabetics, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). Medical experts refer to cataracts caused by another medical condition as secondary cataracts.

2. Prescription Drugs

Continuous use of certain medications can lead to the development of cataracts. Some of the medications associated with this disease include corticosteroids such as prednisone and phenothiazine-based drugs such as chlorpromazine. In the medical field, this type of cataracts is referred to as toxic, and usually requires cataract surgery to remove them.

3. Age…

Age is by far the leading global cause of needing cataract surgery. In fact, the risk of developing age-related cataracts increases substantially after the age of 60.

4. Nutritional deficiency…

Poor nutrition could lead to the development of cataracts at an early age. In fact, a scientific article published by AOA states that clinical studies have shown a correlation between low levels of antioxidants and cataracts. In addition, other studies found that antioxidants reduce the risk of development leading to a need for cataract surgery.

5. Alcohol consumption and smoking…

People who consume high amounts of alcohol have a higher risk of developing cataracts compared to people who consume alcohol moderately or sparsely. Furthermore, smoking is associated with an increased risk of eye lens cloudiness.

Conclusion

Some of the reasons leading to a need for cataract surgery include age, poor nutrition, excess consumption of alcohol, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and certain prescribed medications. Luckily, small-incision or extracapsular surgery can correct this eye problem provided one seeks medical attention early. Learn More about cataract surgery.

3 Cool Facts About The Cornea

Unless you have visited a cornea specialist lately, you can be forgiven for overlooking the importance of this vital eye part. Corneas appear transparent, so they are harder to see than the iris, sclera, or pupil. Nonetheless, they serve multiple important purposes. These interesting facts highlight some noteworthy information about the cornea and the reasons why it exists:

1. Although complete eye transplants remain impossible, this is the one part of an eye that can be transplanted. The first operation of this kind was completed by a new-found cornea specialist over a century ago. Sharks have corneas resembling those in human eyes, so doctors have sometimes utilized the shark cornea in human operations. Most organ donors can contribute eyes, even if they were blind or suffered from cancer.
2. Cornea tissue performs two major tasks. In combination with the eye lens, it helps refract light and enables people to see. Corneas also protect eyes from harm. However, blindness may occur if this protective layer suffers heavy damage as a result of injury or illness. This problem causes about 1 out of 10 instances of blindness. A cornea specialist will examine your eyes and check visual health.
3. The cornea seems simple because it looks clear and lacks blood vessels. However, it actually consists of five major layers. They achieve a variety of goals, such as conducting light, healing damage, and collecting nutrients. One layer is devoted to keeping germs and dust out of the eye, while another portion protects it from injury.

Unfortunately, this part of the eye can experience several different disorders. They include things like infections, allergic reactions, abnormal dryness and trauma-related damage. A cornea specialist can correct many problems by performing surgery. These professionals even have the ability to reverse corneal blindness with transplants. As always, be sure to speak to a doctor if your vision changes or you undergo significant amounts of eye discomfort. Read more about cornea specialists.