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See the causes and symptoms of cataracts
See the causes and symptoms of cataracts
Some care and lifestyle habits can help prevent diseases that affect the eyes
Published on October 29, 2024 at 3:36 pm
Cataracts are a disease that can damage vision Credit: Image: DuxX | Shutterstock
According to the Brazilian Society of Ophthalmology, around 550,000 cases of cataracts occur each year in Brazil. The ophthalmologist at the Instituto de Olhos Ciências Médicas, Dr. Umberto Rizzuto, explains that in the country the increase in the number of patients with the disease is mainly due to the aging of the population. This is because the condition is characterized by affecting, in its majority, people over 60 years of age.
Cataracts are defined when the crystalline lens, the natural lens that humans have since birth, becomes cloudy and opaque. This lens has specific properties that allow us to focus and adjust our vision, sending the images we see to the retina, where they are processed by the brain.
When the lens becomes cloudy, it can cause vision loss and other eye symptoms. In terms of quality of life, cataracts can compromise daily activities, increase the risk of falls and, in an advanced stage, lead to blindness.
Cataract symptoms
According to Dr. Umberto Rizzuto, the most common symptoms of cataracts include:
- Blurred vision
- Changing glasses prescription
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Light sensitivity
- Loss of sharpness in terms of colors
Cataracts can be caused by several factors, in addition to heredity. Credit: Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A | Shutterstock
Causes of cataract
According to the ophthalmologist, factors such as aging, diabetes, as well as exposure to UV radiation, radiotherapy and high temperatures (such as fever resulting from malaria), can contribute to the development of cataracts. Eye trauma, smoking and the use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, are also among the causes of the disease. “Although there is a hereditary predisposition, most factors are acquired throughout life”, he explains.
Preventing the disease
According to Dr. Umberto Rizzuto, cataract specialist, ways to prevent cataracts involve protecting your eyes from UV radiation with appropriate glasses, controlling diseases such as diabetes, avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy diet, rich in antioxidants. Additionally, he recommends regular ophthalmological follow-up to ensure that detection and treatment occur at the right time.
Cataract treatment
The doctor explains that the only treatment recognized worldwide as effective is cataract surgery (facectomy), in which the lens, which is cloudy and opaque, is replaced by an intraocular lens.
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