Is cataract easy to treat?

Written by Li Min
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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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 Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
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What causes cataracts?

There are many factors that cause cataracts, the most common being age-related cataracts. As we age, we are exposed to ultraviolet rays which can cause degeneration of the lens. The older a person is, the more ultraviolet rays they absorb. Some cataracts are also caused by medications, such as long-term use of steroids. Additionally, some cataracts are caused by trauma; if the lens is accidentally punctured during an injury, it can rapidly deteriorate. There are also congenital cataracts caused by intrauterine infections. The causes are various, and in diabetic patients, their cataracts can progress more quickly because high blood sugar can lead to changes in the osmotic pressure of the lens.

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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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What are the early symptoms of cataract?

Early symptoms of cataracts are not obvious in some patients, while others may experience mild blurriness of vision. As the lens becomes cloudier, the blurriness will gradually worsen, and symptoms such as nearsightedness, glare, and double vision may also appear. In advanced stages, some may develop glaucoma, leading to symptoms like eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting, and in severe cases, it can cause blindness. Cataracts are a common and prevalent eye disease and are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The lens, an important optical component of the human eye, is normally transparent. Cataracts can form due to various reasons leading to protein degeneration in the lens, causing it to become cloudy and result in various degrees of vision loss. It is recommended that patients with cataracts regularly visit ophthalmologists and consider cataract removal surgery if necessary.

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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.