What department should I go to for cataracts?

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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The department for cataract consultations is ophthalmology. Various factors such as aging, genetics, local nutritional disorders, immune and metabolic abnormalities, trauma, poisoning, radiation, etc., can cause metabolic disturbances in the lens, leading to the denaturation of lens proteins and resulting in opacity, known as cataracts. At this time, light is obstructed by the cloudy lens and cannot be projected onto the retina, causing blurred vision. This condition is commonly seen in individuals over forty years old, and the incidence increases with age. The disease can also be divided into congenital cataracts and acquired cataracts.

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Written by Li Zhen Dong
Ophthalmology
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What is the cataract OCT examination?

OCT is used for examining the macula and optic nerve head of the retina. It is a non-destructive, non-contact method that performs cross-sectional scanning of the ultrastructure on the retina. It primarily replaces ultrasound by using light waves to drive sound waves, conducting tomographic scans on biological tissues with low coherence, and displaying the results in forms of graphics and numbers. In this context, it is mainly used for diagnosing macular lesions and optic nerve head lesions. For cataract examinations, this method is generally not used; instead, ocular B-ultrasound and slit lamp microscopy are sufficient for detection.

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Written by Deng Jiang Tao
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Is vitreous opacity cataract?

Vitreous opacity and cataract are two different concepts; they are two different diseases. Vitreous opacity occurs when the collagen in the vitreous cavity slowly emulsifies into a turbidity. A cataract occurs when the lens inside the human eye becomes cloudy, forming a cataract. These are two completely different diseases, and their treatment methods are generally different as well. Cataract treatment primarily involves surgery, whereas vitreous opacity, including floaters, does not require surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Min
Ophthalmology
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Symptoms of cataracts

The symptoms of cataracts are diverse. Firstly, the most primary manifestation is a decline in vision, which is a painless and gradual decrease. Unlike glaucoma, where the decrease in vision is accompanied by swelling pain in the eyes and even headaches, the vision decrease in cataracts occurs gradually and not suddenly. If the onset is sudden, then it is generally not considered to be caused by cataracts. Besides the painless, gradual decline in vision, some patients may experience a decrease in contrast sensitivity, and changes in refraction. For example, patients who have presbyopia might find that their presbyopia diminishes and their nearsightedness worsens if they develop cataracts, particularly nuclear cataracts. Some people may experience monocular diplopia or polyopia, as well as varying degrees of visual field defects.

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Written by Li Min
Ophthalmology
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Is cataract easy to treat?

If you are diagnosed with cataracts, we generally use surgical methods nowadays. Our surgical approach typically involves cataract phacoemulsification combined with the implantation of an artificial lens. If you have a simple case of cataracts without any other eye diseases—such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, or central retinal vein occlusion—the outcome after surgery is generally good. As for the eye drops for treating cataracts advertised on TV, like Sharp Eye Love, their effectiveness is not very certain in our medical practice. Currently, the main method of treating cataracts is still through surgery.

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Written by Wang Hui Zhen
Ophthalmology
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Advantages and disadvantages of cataract surgery for the elderly

Any surgery carries risks, and cataract surgery is no exception. However, many elderly people have mature cataracts that require prompt surgical treatment. If not addressed timely, it can lead to blindness or even cause secondary glaucoma, leading to symptoms such as eye pain, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In some advanced cases, it can lead to neovascular glaucoma, making it difficult to control intraocular pressure. Cataracts are a vision-impairing disease caused by the clouding of the lens, which is an important optical component in the human eyeball. Normally, the lens is transparent. In elderly people, the lens proteins often degenerate and age, leading to cloudiness and various degrees of vision impairment. It is advisable for those with cataracts to seek prompt ophthalmologic care and, if necessary, undergo cataract removal surgery. Complications and sequelae from cataract surgery may include postoperative infection, shallow anterior chamber, corneal edema, explosive bleeding, macular edema, and more.