With age, many people have vision problems. One of them is the clouding of the lens. This process is due to the denaturation of the protein, which is part of this organ. The lens of the eye, passing through itself rays of light, refracts them. It is located in the middle, between the iris and the vitreous.
A healthy crystalline lens is transparent and perfectly copes with its function. After blurring, vision deteriorates, the eye loses its ability to clearly see the world around it. Having discovered the first symptoms, you need to contact an ophthalmologist to prescribe treatment for the initial stage of cataracts. If you do not come to the doctor on time, you can completely lose your eyesight.
Cataract: causes and symptoms of the disease
In most cases, cataracts are characteristic of elderly people, but they occur at different periods of life, even in newborns. It is impossible to cure the disease completely without surgery, but if you consult a specialist at the first signs of an initial cataract, you can delay it for a long period. Consider the symptoms of this unpleasant disease.
1. A person begins to see through the veil, as in a fog.
2. Does not tolerate bright light.
3. At night glare appears in the eyes, sometimes bright flashes.
4. You can read only by turning on the lights nearby.
5. It is necessary to change diopter for lenses more often.
6. Around the lamps a halo of light is visible.
7. Myopia develops.
8. The perception of the color scheme by the eye weakens.
9. If you close one eye with your hand, the other sees that the objects are bifurcated.
10. A white spot appears, which eventually grows and completely covers the pupil.
11. When the cataract progresses greatly, the inflammatory process in the eye begins, then severe headaches are felt, pressing sensations appear.
The main reason for the clouding of the lens is considered the age of a person older than 60 years. Elderly people lose their ability to actively combat toxins, the level of antioxidants is significantly reduced. In diseases of the thyroid gland and diabetes, there is also the possibility of signs of cataracts. Increases the likelihood of getting sick in alcoholics and many smokers.
After prolonged use of corticosteroid medications, the development of the disease may begin. There are cases of congenital cataracts when genetic changes in the protein structure are inherited from mother to child. Sometimes this is due to maternal diabetes or infections at the beginning of pregnancy. And, of course, all kinds of eye injuries become the cause of the initial stage of cataracts.
What to do to a person who wants to get rid of this disease? We must go to the ophthalmologist. Delaying a visit to a specialist, you do not need to hope that the turbidity eventually passes by itself. The last stages are treated only by surgery. But even this is not the final option. Sometimes there is a secondary turbidity. So, it is better to begin treatment in the initial stage of cataract, not starting the course of the disease to more mature forms. Consider what happens in the early stages of this process, and how to stop the initial cataract.
First stage of the disease
With cataracts, the causes and symptoms of the disease, described earlier in the article, are partially manifested at the very beginning. The first stage of the lens pathology is the process of hydration, i.e., hydration. In this case, its volume increases, and the refraction of light rays changes. The formation of clouded areas begins due to biochemical changes in the lens fibers. The beginning of the process is at the equator, with a slow approach to the axis. Visual acuity does not immediately deteriorate, but gradually. In the absence of the necessary treatment for the initial stage of cataracts, the active progression of the disease begins.
Symptoms at first are not so pronounced. Therefore, you need to know how the disease begins:
- sometimes the image of objects doubles;
- suddenly it seems that vision has improved; a person can read without wearing the usual glasses, then the normal state returns;
- image clarity disappears;
- distinguishes objects worse in the dark;
- spots or dots appear before the eyes;
- no brightness visibility.
At the initial stage of cataract development, there is no decrease in vision in humans.
Diagnosis of the disease
In order not to confuse the signs of cataracts with hyperopia, an ophthalmologist must do a number of studies. An examination is carried out using a light slit lamp, the so-called biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure is measured. Having previously dilated the pupil with the help of drops, the ophthalmologist examines the fundus. The parameters of the visual fields are measured . If necessary, ophthalmoscopy and coherent optical tomography are prescribed . These studies reveal lens pathologies at the very beginning of the disease.
Cataract stages
Cataracts do not progress immediately, but gradually, over 6-10 years. By the difference in the manifestations of symptoms, 4 stages of the disease are distinguished.
1. Initial - the lens has a clouding on the side, but most of it remains transparent. The remaining symptoms in all manifest themselves in different ways. Some complain of farsightedness or myopia. Others require frequent diopter changes in lenses or glasses. Someone had spots before his eyes.
2. Immature - the lens is already more noticeably cloudy and swollen from the liquid. This provokes an increase in eye pressure, visibility decreases markedly.
3. Mature - the stage of complete clouding of the lens, the patient sees almost nothing. You can count fingers on your hands only by placing them close to your face.
4. The last - the lens first wrinkles, and then gradually liquefies. But this happens over the years and even decades. Vision is almost completely lost.
Types of Cataract
1. Congenital. The child inherited the disease from the mother as a result of chronic diseases or the use of certain medications in the first trimester of pregnancy.
2. Acquired. This is a disease that overtakes older people in old age.
3. Traumatic. It is formed when the integrity of the lens capsule is impaired. In this case, liquid penetrates from the anterior chamber of the eyeball. As a result, turbidity appears.
4. Electric. It occurs when an electric current is directed to the eye.
5. Radiation. With prolonged exposure to infrared, x-rays and gamma rays.
6. Toxic. Turbidity appears as a result of exposure to various infections and toxins.
When is the operation performed?
At the very beginning of the disease, an ophthalmologist, after a detailed examination of the symptoms, can prescribe medication. The operation is prescribed only at a mature stage, when the lens is completely clouded. Treatment of the initial stage of cataract is always conservative at first. The doctor prescribes drops, which gradually improve the fluid metabolism inside the lens. At the same time, metabolism improves, and the process of beginning turbidity is delayed. When treatment is stopped, the disease reappears.
Treatment
At the very beginning of this disease, after the doctor accurately diagnosed and conducted a series of studies, medication is prescribed. Only an ophthalmologist can prescribe the drops necessary in this particular situation. Self-medication is strictly prohibited. Drops contribute to the normalization of the metabolism, oxidation and recovery. They are not first absorbed into the bloodstream, but act directly on the desired area.
The result is palpable in a few minutes. When treating the initial stage of cataracts, pregnant women are recommended to consult a gynecologist first. People who are prone to allergic reactions may feel a slight burning sensation and slight tingling in their sore eyes. The doctor can prescribe vitamins, with an initial cataract, Vitaiodurol or Vitafacol drops are prescribed, containing vitamins B and C, potassium iodide, amino acids. Many people ask: "Is it possible to cure the initial stage of cataracts?". The answer of doctors is unequivocal. The clouding of the lens cannot be completely cured.
Eye drops
At the initial stage of cataract, the destructive process can be much slowed down, temporarily suspended. To do this, use the following drops:
1. "Oftan katahorm" - contain nicotinamide, adenosine, etc. Activate the processes of recovery and metabolism. Do not give to children.
2. "Quinax" - contribute to the process of resorption of proteins in the lens and activate the enzymes of the anterior chamber of the eyeball.
3. "Taufon" - trigger regenerative processes in the tissues of the eye, accelerate the metabolism; do not use for children.
Disease prevention
In old age, you need to consult a specialist 2 times a year. It is advisable to quit bad habits, eat right and balanced, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Diabetics need to check their blood sugar regularly. When working with harmful chemicals, you need to protect your eyes, and from direct sunlight, wear glasses that can block ultraviolet light. Middle-aged people are recommended to be checked by an ophthalmologist at least once a year.
Advice! At the first signs of the disease, you should immediately go to the doctor. Do not self-medicate!