Can cataracts be treated without surgery?

Written by Hu Shu Fang

Ophthalmology

Updated on September 28, 2024

00:00

00:00

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.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

29sec

home-news-image

Do cataracts replace the lens?

Cataracts refer to the clouding of the lens, leading to decreased vision. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one to restore vision. Simply removing the cataract lens does not restore vision, as it leaves the eye in a highly hyperopic (farsighted) state. An artificial lens must be inserted to improve vision and correct the eye's refractive state. Therefore, cataract surgery necessitates the replacement of the lens.

home-news-image

Written by Tao Yuan

Ophthalmology

43sec

home-news-image

Cataract Causes

Cataracts can be caused by many reasons, with the following common scenarios: First, due to aging factors, as age increases, the proteins in the lens of the eye gradually degenerate, leading to cloudiness and reduced transparency of the lens, ultimately resulting in cataracts. Second, cataracts can be caused by eye trauma, where a significant impact can damage the structure of the lens. Third, they can be caused by chronic inflammation within the eye, such as uveitis or iridocyclitis, where the inflammation leads to the degeneration of lens proteins. Fourth, long-term use of steroid medications can affect the metabolism of lens proteins, thereby leading to the development of cataracts.

home-news-image

Written by Wang Hui Zhen

Ophthalmology

1min 1sec

home-news-image

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.

home-news-image

Written by Zheng Xin

Ophthalmology

34sec

home-news-image

Difference between fundus diseases and cataracts

Diseases of the eye fundus mainly refer to diseases of the choroid and retina in the posterior segment of the eye, while cataracts are diseases of the lens in the middle segment of the eye, so there is a difference in their locations. Clinically, eye fundus diseases manifest as declining vision and obstructed vision, while cataracts manifest as blurred vision, foggy vision, or seeing halos around lights. Eye fundus diseases can be treated conservatively or surgically, whereas cataracts require surgical treatment.

home-news-image

Written by Hu Shu Fang

Ophthalmology

53sec

home-news-image

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.