A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. It is the most common cause of blindness and vision impairment in the world. There are three types of cataracts: nuclear, cortical, and posterior subcapsular. In this blog post, we will focus on central cataracts, which is a type of nuclear cataract. We will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for central cataracts.
What Are Central Cataracts?
A central cataract is described as a clouding of the central vision. The affected area is usually small at first but gradually enlarges over time. This type of cataract typically develops slowly and painlessly. Central cataracts are the most common type of cataract.
More often, this is caused by a change in the lens of your eye. It is important to note that cataracts are not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person. There are several different types of cataracts, each with its own set of symptoms and treatment options.
According to studies, central cataracts are the most common type of cataract. They usually develop slowly and painlessly. This type of cataract typically affects older adults. However, central cataracts can also occur in young children and adults who have certain medical conditions or who have undergone certain medical procedures.
If you or someone you know is suffering from central cataracts, it is important to seek medical help. This can cause serious problems if left untreated. With early diagnosis and treatment, however, most people with central cataracts can live normal, healthy lives.
What Are The Symptoms?
The most common symptom is blurred vision. Other symptoms may include:
Difficulty seeing at night
It is not uncommon for patients with a central cataract to also experience glare and halos around light. They have difficulty seeing at night, and may even experience double vision in severe cases.
Glare and halos around lights
This is the most common symptom of central cataracts. You may notice that the light seems too bright, and you see halos around the lights. For instance, when you’re driving at night, the oncoming headlights may seem excessively bright.
Double vision in one eye
Double vision during central cataracts is very common. This happens when light hits the cataract and is then reflected off in two different directions. The result is that you see two images instead of one. This can be very frustrating, especially if it’s your dominant eye.
Fading or yellowing of colors
This symptom is a result of the protein buildup in the lens. The proteins absorb certain colors of light, which then makes it difficult for you to see those colors clearly.
Blurry vision
Blurry vision is the most common symptom of a central cataract. It happens when the cataract interferes with the light that’s trying to pass through it. This makes it difficult for you to see clearly, even if you’re wearing glasses or contact lenses.
So these are some common symptoms that you may experience if you have a central cataract. If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s important to see an eye doctor so that they can determine the best course of treatment for you.
What Causes Central Cataracts?
There are many possible causes of central cataracts, including:
- Aging: This is the most common cause of central cataracts. As we age, the proteins in our lenses start to break down and clump together, causing the lenses to become cloudy.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts, especially if their blood sugar is not well controlled.
- Smoking: Smoking can damage the lenses of your eyes and increase your risk of developing cataracts.
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light: Too much exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds can increase your risk of developing cataracts.
- Previous eye injury or surgery: A previous injury to your eye or surgery on your eye (such as cataract surgery) can increase your risk of developing a central cataract.
- Certain medications: Some medications, such as steroids, can increase your risk of developing cataracts.
The causes and risk factors of central cataracts are similar to those of other types of cataracts. In most cases, central cataracts develop slowly and don’t cause any symptoms at first. As the cataract grows, it may start to affect your vision.
More often, it is not one specific event or lifestyle choice that leads to the development of central cataracts. Instead, it is a combination of several different factors. So you should take steps to protect your eyes from all of the potential causes of cataracts, not just one.
How Is It Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of central cataracts is made by using a special microscope to examine the eye. Your doctor will look for changes in the lens that is typical of central cataracts. These changes include:
- A dark or black spot in the center of the lens
- A decrease in the clarity of the lens
- Yellowing of the lens
It is believed that the diagnosis of this cataract includes a method that can evaluate the changes in the lens. The density of the cataract can be graded on a scale from I to IV, with grade I being the least dense and grade IV being the densest.
In addition, some methods can help determine if the cataract is causing vision problems. These include:
- Visual acuity testing: This test measures how well you see at different distances.
- Slit-lamp examination: This test uses a special microscope to look at the front of your eye, including the lens.
If you have any changes in your vision, it is important to see your doctor so that they can determine if you have a cataract.
How To Treat Central Cataracts?
There are a few ways to treat central cataracts, depending on how advanced the cataract is.
If the cataract is in its early stages, your doctor may recommend a change in your eyeglass prescription. This can help improve your vision and delay the need for surgery. Because surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, it is usually reserved for when the cataract has progressed and is affecting your vision more significantly.
If you do need surgery, there are a few different options available. The most common type of surgery is called phacoemulsification, which uses ultrasound waves to break up the cataract so it can be removed. This type of surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, which means you won’t have to stay in the hospital overnight.
Another option is called extracapsular surgery, which involves making a larger incision in the eye so the cataract can be removed in one piece. This type of surgery is usually reserved for when the cataract is more advanced.
After surgery, you will likely need to wear glasses or contact lenses to help improve your vision. In some cases, you may also need to have a second surgery to correct any residual refractive error.
If you have a central cataract, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract, but it’s not always necessary. Depending on the severity of your cataract, you may be able to improve your vision with a change in your eyeglass prescription or by wearing contact lenses.
Conclusion
To conclude, central cataracts are often described as a ‘clouding’ of the central vision. They are most commonly caused by long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and are also associated with aging. Central cataracts typically develop slowly and usually do not cause any pain.
If left untreated, central cataracts can eventually lead to complete blindness. Therefore you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you think you may have a cataract.
For more information, you can also contact Eye Mantra. At EyeMantra we have a team of experienced eye surgeons, who will be happy to answer your any questions on cataract surgery, cataract surgery cost, cataract lens cost for different cataract surgery types- Phacoemulsification, MICS & Femto Laser Cataract. Call us at +91-9711116605 or email at [email protected] for inquiries.
+91-9711116605
