Cataracts are a condition of the eye.

Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Cataracts are degenerative changes causing a decline in optical quality, which are due to the decreased transparency or color change of a structure in the eye called the lens. The pathogenesis of cataracts is quite complex, resulting from the long-term combined effects of various internal and external factors on the lens. The lens is situated in the fluid environment of the eye, and any factor impacting this environment, such as aging, genetics, metabolic abnormalities, trauma, radiation, poisoning, localized nutritional disorders, as well as certain systemic metabolic or immune diseases, can directly or indirectly damage the tissue structure of the lens, interfere with its normal metabolism, and cause the lens to become opaque.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Postoperative complications of cataract surgery

Complications after cataract surgery are relatively common and include the following types: First, incision leakage, leading to a shallow anterior chamber; Second, pupil block; Third, damage to the corneal endothelium, causing persistent corneal edema, and even bullous keratopathy; Fourth, anterior chamber hemorrhage; Fifth, epithelial implantation in the anterior chamber; Sixth, postoperative uveitis; Seventh, increased intraocular pressure; Eighth, abnormal positioning or dislocation of the intraocular lens; Ninth, macular edema, and retinal detachment can also occur.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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Does cataract cause headache?

The main symptoms of cataracts include a decline in vision, with both near and far objects appearing unclear, and blurry vision. There is no significant eye pain or headaches, nor does it cause redness in the eyes. If headaches do occur, it is important to investigate the cause, such as checking if there is an increase in eye pressure or if the headache is caused by glaucoma, and to treat according to the specific cause. However, in the later stages or over-mature stage of cataracts, the lens may dissolve, which can potentially lead to phacolytic glaucoma, but this condition is very rare.

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Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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Can cataracts be treated without surgery?

In the early stages of cataracts, if one's vision is still greater than 0.3 and they feel it does not affect daily life, it is possible to initially observe without immediate intervention. If the cataracts have significantly worsened vision and greatly impacted the quality of life, and the severity of the cataracts is considerable, then it is advisable to undergo cataract surgery at an appropriate time. Currently, cataract surgery is very advanced, and the only treatment option for cataracts is surgical intervention, as medication is not very effective.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Causes of cataracts

Various causes, such as aging, genetics, local nutritional disorders, immune and metabolic abnormalities, trauma, poisoning, radiation, etc., can lead to metabolic disorders of the lens, causing the denaturation of lens proteins and resulting in cloudiness; this is called cataract. Cataracts can be divided into congenital and acquired. Congenital cataracts, also known as developmental cataracts, are divided into anterior polar cataracts, posterior polar cataracts, nuclear cataracts, and total cataracts. Acquired cataracts are divided into senile cataracts, complicated cataracts, traumatic cataracts, metabolic cataracts, radiation cataracts, and those related to medications and poisoning.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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How is a cataract formed?

Inside the eyeball, there is a relatively important transparent tissue called the lens. Clinically, clouding of the lens is referred to as cataracts. Many factors, such as aging, genetics, metabolic abnormalities like diabetes, trauma, radiation, poisoning, and local nutritional disorders, can lead to damage to the capsule of the lens, increasing its permeability and losing its barrier function, or causing metabolic disturbances in the lens. This can cause the proteins in the lens to denature, leading to cloudiness of the lens, which is known as cataracts. Under a slit lamp microscope, varying degrees of cloudiness in the lens can be observed.