Cataract is one of the most dreaded eye conditions in the world, being the reason for more than 51% of the cases of global blindness. What makes it even worse is the fact that there is not much awareness about this eye condition, not just in the developing and third-world countries, but also advanced countries as well.
In this post, we are going to bring forward some facts about cataracts that will help you understand the seriousness of this medical problem, making you more aware about it. So, let us have a look at those facts one by one –
1. Cataracts are of three types
One of the first things that you need to be aware of when it comes to cataract is that it is of three primary types. The three types being:
Of these three, nuclear sclerotic cataract is the most common, which generally affects the central nucleus of the eye lens, causing cloudiness. Cortical cataracts affect the lens cortex, and create problems like blurred vision and poor depth-perception. Posterior subcapsular cataract is called so in reference to the posterior portion of the eye.
2. Surgery is the only way out
There is a common perception that using stronger glasses can help you with cataract. While it is true that it is of help in improving vision, the only permanent solution to cataracts is going for a surgery. Glasses can help during the early stages of development of this condition. But, in the longer run, you need to go for a surgery lest permanent vision loss will occur.
3. People with diabetes are at a higher risk
Diabetes is known as a condition that is interrelated to many other medical problems, with cataract being one of them. People who suffer from diabetes are a much higher risk of developing cataracts than people who are not. In fact, diabetic patient have chances of developing cataract at a fairly younger age. If you have a family history of diabetes or have someone in your family who is diabetic, you need to go for regular eye check-ups.
4. It does not grow back
The most important fact about cataract that you need to know is that it cannot grow back. The reason behind this is fairly simple: cataract surgery involves removing the affected part and replacing it with a plastic lens on which cataract cannot develop. Though some clouding can appear, which can be easily removed with laser treatment, it won’t be cataract.
In conclusion, these were some of the facts that will give you a better idea of the medical condition of cataract. To make sure that it gets rooted out at a global level, we need to spread as much awareness about it as possible, because, believe it or not, millions of people lose their eyesight because of it.
While organizations like the Give Me Sight Foundation are doing all that is possible to alleviate the problem, there is so much that still needs to be done. Please consider a tax-deductible donation today.
