With age, people may develop diseases, the existence of which they did not even think about while they were young. Senile cataracts are a problem often faced by those who have crossed the fifty-year milestone. In our article we will talk about what kind of disease it is, about its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods.
Cataract - what is it
Before we talk about the treatment of senile cataracts, we briefly explain to readers what kind of disease.
Our eyes are sophisticated optical instruments. Inside each eye, nature has placed a transparent optical lens - the lens. It is fixed in the eyeball between the iris and the vitreous. In children and young people, the lens is usually clean and transparent (although there are exceptions).
With age, this natural tool may begin to cloud, losing its transparency. The process usually progresses rapidly, and as it develops, less light enters the eye.
Vision is deteriorating, the world around him is seen as blurred and fuzzy. An advanced cataract can lead to complete blindness. Elderly people should be regularly examined by an ophthalmologist to prevent the development of the disease to a dangerous stage and start treatment on time.
Senile cataract: the main symptoms
The initial stage of the disease can be detected by examination with an ophthalmologist. Early symptoms are characterized by clouding of the peripheral zone of the lens of the eye. In this case, the optical parameters change little. As the pathology progresses, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
- The development of high sensitivity to various light sources. You can call this condition photophobia. The bright light of a lamp, the sun, a lantern, etc. can cause discomfort and pain in the eyes.
- Visual impairment in low light conditions.
- The appearance in the field of view of spots, stripes, ripples, strokes, periodically flickering in front of the eyes.
- Distortion of visible objects and simultaneous weakening of vision. Objects that a person is trying to carefully examine can double. This is especially evident when looking at near objects or when reading. At the same time, “distant” vision may not be distorted for a long time.
- Violations in color perception. With the development of cataracts, the patient may cease to perceive some color shades or see them in a distorted change.
Stages of the disease
There are several stages of senile cataract:
- initial stage, or pre-cataract;
- immature cataract ;
- Mature cataract
- overripe.
In the last two stages, an operation to replace the lens is indicated.
Causes of the disease
This eye disease is often found specifically among the elderly and senile. Reasons for the development of senile cataract:
- Age-related slowdown in metabolic processes.
- The development throughout life of various pathological chronic diseases and changes in body tissues.
The following factors can provoke a clouding of the lens:
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids, anticholinesterase agents, or phenothiazinamines by the patient.
- Electrical injuries, eye contusions, penetrating wounds.
- Diabetes mellitus, hypocalcemia, Wilson-Konovalov disease, myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia.
- infrared or ultraviolet radiation.
- Long-flowing peripheral uveitis and iridocyclitis of various origins.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Treatment features
Modern medicine has proved that the only effective way to get rid of this problem is surgery.
Not only folk remedies, but even strong pharmacological drugs are not able to completely rid a person of the disease, they can only serve as a means of slowing the progression of the disease or be prescribed in the form of supporting complexes.
In some cases, the doctor may consider it possible not to resort to surgery and prescribe conservative treatment, which includes the use of Quinax, Oftan-Katahrom, Tauron, etc. drops in a patient with senile cataract. Drops are instilled into the patient’s eye for at least 3 times a day. Moreover, interruptions in such therapy can turn into a progression of the disease.
Diet
In case of initial senile cataract, treatment with drops must be supplemented with a diet that involves restricting fatty meat and foods that increase cholesterol (fast food, smoked meats, cheeses, shrimps, liver, fat cream, etc.). At the same time, the daily diet should be replenished with products containing vitamins C and E (greens, red fish, rose hips). For people with cataracts, omega-3 fatty acids are useful.
Diagnostics
In order to identify all the pathological changes that occur in the eyes, you will need to undergo a complete hardware diagnosis. It includes:
- optical tomography;
- keratotomy;
- gonioscopy;
- Ultrasound biometry;
- electrophysiological examination;
- measurement of intraocular pressure.
An ophthalmological examination is prescribed by a doctor, based on the features of the progression of changes in the lens of the eye, as well as the further selection of treatment methods and agents for senile cataracts.
Before surgery, the patient will have to additionally visit a number of specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist, urologist or gynecologist, etc.) and provide the ophthalmologist with the following analyzes and certificates:
- the conclusion of the attending physician that the patient does not have any contraindications to surgery;
- permission for surgery from a neurologist, dentist and ENT doctor;
- chest x-rays
- urine analysis;
- conjunctival smear data;
- blood tests (including coagulation analysis);
- check for toxoplasma;
- Wasserman reaction.
Actions on the eve of the operation
Before the operation to remove the damaged lens, the patient is prohibited from intense physical activity. The patient should get enough sleep in order to gain strength before surgery. Also, on the eve of the operation, you can not drink alcohol.
Before going to bed, it is not recommended to eat food, in the morning before surgery, this is also not necessary. A few days before the planned surgical procedure, it is necessary to stop taking medications with anticoagulant action. You can not take aspirin! The question of taking other medicines should be discussed with a doctor ahead of time.
The operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient may go home the same day. Before going to the clinic, you need to thoroughly wash yourself, put on comfortable and clean linen (preferably cotton). You need to take with you a passport and replaceable shoes, as well as all the results of the analyzes available on hand.
Preparation for the operation and its stages
In preparation for surgery, the patient may be offered a sedative drug (optional). To avoid possible bacteria entering the eyeball tissue, the medical professional must treat the area around the eye with a reliable bactericidal agent.
After anesthesia, the patient is covered with special sterile wipes; only the area of the operated eye remains free.
Patients are often afraid of anesthetic injections. This is an excessive fear, because this procedure is almost painless. Injections are given around the eye. After some time, the movements of the eyeball stop, which will allow doctors to proceed with the operation:
- Make an accurate incision.
- Remove the cloudy lens.
- Implant a special intraocular lens in its place.
Prevention
Unfortunately, no methods proven by practice have been found that would help to effectively prevent the development of senile cataracts. For prevention, doctors recommend the following:
- maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
- proper nutrition and relaxation;
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the open sun;
- regular examinations by an eye doctor (after 50 years).