As people age, they may develop diseases that they never even thought existed when they were young. Senile cataract is a problem that is 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 talking about the treatment of senile cataracts, we will briefly explain to readers what kind of disease it is.
Our eyes are complex 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 body. In children and young people, the lens is usually clear and transparent (although there are exceptions).
With age, this natural tool may begin to become cloudy, losing its transparency. The process usually progresses rapidly, and as it progresses, less and less light enters the eye.
Vision worsens, the surrounding world is seen by a person as blurry and fuzzy. An advanced cataract can lead to complete blindness. Older 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: main symptoms
The initial stage of the disease can be detected by examination by 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:
- Developing 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.
- Deterioration of vision in low light conditions.
- The appearance in the field of view of spots, stripes, ripples, strokes, periodically flashing before the eyes.
- Distortion of visible objects and simultaneous weakening of vision. Objects that a person tries to stare at closely can double. This is especially evident when looking at nearby objects or when reading. In this case, "far" vision may not be distorted for a long time.
- Violations in color perception. With the development of cataracts, the patient may stop perceiving some color shades or see them in a distorted change.
Stages of the disease
There are several stages of senilecataracts:
- 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 disease
This eye disease is often found among the elderly and senile. Causes of senile cataracts:
- Age-related slowdown in metabolic processes.
- Development throughout life of various pathological chronic diseases and changes in body tissues.
Clouding of the lens can be provoked by the following factors:
- Long-term patient use of corticosteroids, anticholinesterases, or phenothiazines.
- Electrical injury, eye contusion, penetrating wounds.
- Diabetes mellitus, hypocalcemia, Wilson-Konovalov's disease, myotonic dystrophy, galactosemia.
- infrared or ultraviolet radiation.
- Long-term peripheral uveitis and iridocyclitis of various origins.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Features of treatment
Modern medicine has proven that the only effective way to get rid of this problem is surgery.
Not only folk remedies, but even strong pharmacological preparations are not able to completely rid a person of the disease, they can only serve as a means of slowing down the progression of the disease or be prescribed in the form of supportingcomplexes.
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 by the patient in senile cataracts. in the diseased eye at least 3 times a day. Moreover, interruptions in such therapy can result in the progression of the disease.
Diet
In the initial senile cataract treatment with drops must be supplemented with a diet that involves limiting fatty meats and foods that increase cholesterol (fast food, smoked meats, cheeses, shrimp, liver, heavy cream, etc.). At the same time, the daily diet should be replenished with foods containing vitamins C and E (greens, red fish, rose hips). Cataract sufferers benefit from omega-3 fatty acids.
Diagnosis
In order to identify all the pathological changes that occur in the eyes, you will need to undergo a complete hardware diagnostics. Includes:
- optical tomography;
- keratotomy;
- gonioscopy;
- Ultrasonic biometrics;
- electrophysiological examination;
- measuring intraocular pressure.
An ophthalmological examination is prescribed by a doctor, based on the characteristics of the progression of changes in the lens of the eye, as well as the further choice of treatment methods and remedies for senile cataracts.
Before surgery, the patient will have toadditionally visit a number of specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist, urologist or gynecologist, etc.) and provide the ophthalmologist with the following tests and certificates:
- conclusion of the treating therapist that the patient has no contraindications to surgery;
- permission for surgery from a neurologist, dentist and ENT doctor;
- chest x-rays;
- urine analysis;
- conjunctival smear culture data;
- blood tests (including clotting tests);
- testing for toxoplasma;
- Wassermann reaction.
Actions on the eve of the operation
Before the operation to remove the damaged lens, the patient is prohibited from strong physical exertion. The patient should get enough sleep to gain strength before surgery. Also, do not drink alcohol the day before the operation.
Before going to bed it is not recommended to eat, in the morning before the operation it is also not necessary to do this. A few days before the planned surgical procedure, it is necessary to stop taking medicines that have an anticoagulant effect. You can't take aspirin! The question of taking other medicines should be discussed with the doctor ahead of time.
The operation is usually done on an outpatient basis and the patient can go home the same day. Before going to the clinic, you need to wash yourself thoroughly, put on comfortable and clean underwear (cotton is best). You need to take your passport and a change ofshoes, as well as all available test results.
Preparation for surgery and its stages
In preparation for surgery, the patient may be offered a sedative (optional). To avoid the possible entry of bacteria into the tissues of the eyeball, a he althcare professional must treat the area around the eye with a reliable bactericidal agent.
After anesthesia, the patient is covered with special sterile napkins; only the area of the operated eye remains free.
Patients are often afraid of anesthetic injections. This is an unnecessary fear, because this procedure is practically painless. The injections are given around the eye. After a while, the movements of the eyeball stop, allowing doctors to proceed with the operation:
- Make a precise cut.
- Remove cloudy lens.
- Implant a special intraocular lens in its place.
Prevention
Unfortunately, no methods proven by practice have yet been found that would help to effectively prevent the development of senile cataracts. For prevention, doctors recommend the following:
- leading a he althy lifestyle;
- proper nutrition and rest;
- avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun;
- regular check-ups with an eye doctor (after age 50).
