Recorded as H26.2 in the ICD, complicated cataract is a pathological condition of the human ophthalmic system. At the same time, the lens becomes cloudy, secondary problems in the work of the visual system are observed. These can affect the course of the underlying disease, and in some cases are the root cause of cataracts.
Causes and consequences
Complicated cataract (ICD code H26.2) occurs with a wide range of primary diseases. In some cases, the primary source of problems will be an inflammatory focus. This is possible if a person is sick with uveitis. There is a possibility of deterioration of the visual system due to syphilis, tuberculosis and a number of other systemic diseases.
In pathology, toxic compounds are generated in the body, under the influence of which the lens becomes cloudy. This leads to a complicated cataract of the eye. Usually, the generation of toxic compounds is explained by a long-functioning inflammatory focus. A distinctive feature of the complicated process is turbidityposterior capsule of the eye. At the same time, the periphery of the cortex behind the lens suffers. The primary focus of opacification is localized at the pole behind. It is small at first but grows larger over time. Such degenerative processes proceed until the posterior capsule is completely blocked. In this case, a cup-shaped type of disease is diagnosed. At the same time, the surface of the lens and its nucleus remain transparent. Patients with this form of cataract are characterized by poor quality of vision.
Nuances of the case
It is known that the initial complicated cataract with a high degree of probability occurs if a person underwent eye surgery, during which the lens was changed, and myopia became the reason for this. Perhaps a pathological condition due to a violation of the integrity of tissues. The period of surgery may be accompanied by a failure of blood flow, which also provokes cataracts.
On average, there are more women with the described diagnosis among patients of clinics than men. For the female, a severe course of the disease is characteristic.
Types of complications
Cataract, complicated by glaucoma and other pathological conditions, develops in stages. Doctors talk about four stages of the progress of a pathological condition. Each stage has its own characteristics. At first, the eye becomes an area of accumulation of infiltrate. The progress of the disease is not accompanied by a deterioration in the quality of vision, with the exception of a slight fogging, occasionally noted by a person. Establishing diagnosisat this stage it is possible if you come to the doctor for a preventive examination.
Doctors recommend regular visits to the ophthalmologist's office for diabetics and people with a tendency to this disease, as well as those who have suffered an eye injury in the recent past. These people are at increased risk of the disease in question, so it is recommended to regularly check the he alth of eye-forming tissues.
Status Progress
At the second stage, an immature, incomplete complicated cataract develops. The lens becomes cloudy enough, vision weakens. Gradually, this form is transformed into a mature one. From medical statistics it is known that it is at the third stage that patients most often turn to doctors, since the symptoms become especially vivid. The infiltrate is layered, it can be seen even without the use of special instruments. Cataract visually resembles a white spot, does not extend to the iris. The eye is close to the color of milk.
The most difficult treatment for complicated cataract is the fourth step. Such a disease is called overripe. The patient completely loses the ability to see with the eye in which the degenerative focus is localized. There is a possibility of a posterior capsular form, the disease can develop according to a swelling scenario. The doctor will determine the specific type during the diagnosis of the condition. To do this, you need to explore how the infiltrate is localized.
Types and forms
More often complicated cataract develops according to the posterior capsular scenario. Degenerativethe focus in this case is localized on the lens at the back, on the wall of the organ.
With the swelling type of the disease, the lens gradually becomes larger in size, the anterior capsule becomes smaller. This form is quite rare.
How to notice?
Assume that it is necessary to visit a doctor, it is possible if the visible objects double when you try to consider them, the look is foggy. Complicated cataracts may be indicated by white pupils. There is a decrease in visual acuity. The ability to distinguish objects in the dark is deteriorating.
Incomplete complicated form
This variant of the disease threatens people of all age groups. The rate of development of pathology, as shown by observations, correlates with the age of the patient. In the predominant percentage of cases, a unilateral pathological process is diagnosed, that is, the eye is affected only on one side. In rare cases, an incomplete complicated form extends to both eyes, while the process will not be symmetrical.
As a complicated cataract develops, the trophism of the lens is disturbed. It is possible to generate toxic compounds that depress the viability of the organic tissues of the visual system. At the same time, the ability of the eye to see is lost, as the lens becomes cloudy. Such a disease significantly corrects the rhythm and lifestyle of a person. Even a slight deterioration in vision is already a limitation for daily activities. Most people with cataracts experience increased stress levels. Among patientsophthalmological clinics, there are many people with depressive disorders due to loss of vision.
Treatment and dangers
If a complicated cataract causes mental disorders, it significantly complicates the fight against the disease. Patients need a comprehensive therapeutic approach, observation of both an ophthalmologist and a psychotherapist. Cataracts can be treated in most cases, and total blindness can be avoided. To alleviate the condition and restore the quality of life, an operation is necessary. As a rule, after a certain period of rehabilitation, the ability to see returns almost completely. Modern people have several methods and ways of operating. You can choose a specific one based on your capabilities, financial well-being, the nuances of the diagnosis.
Where did the trouble come from?
When a doctor has made a definitive diagnosis, it is often interesting for the patient to know what features of his life caused the need for surgery. Complicated cataract, as you know, often forms if the retina of the eye exfoliated for a long time, and the person did not receive appropriate treatment. Chronic iridocyclitis, a neoplasm in the eye and ultraviolet radiation can become the cause of the pathology. There are known cases of cataract development against the background of inflammation in the choroid membrane. Certain risks are associated with the drug program. Eye drops containing adrenaline and pilocarpine are especially dangerous.
Higher risk of developing cataracts if heredity has it, a person has diabetes or is experiencinglack of iodine in the body. The likelihood of cataracts is more significant against the background of general exhaustion, eye injury.
How to clarify?
Before a patient is scheduled to have a complicated cataract removed, an accurate diagnosis must be made. To do this, the patient's condition is assessed by qualified ophthalmologists with access to modern equipment. If the doctor detects signs of detachment of the eye retina, if the assessment of the state of the lens shows a violation of its transparency, it is necessary to examine the patient's visual system with a slit lamp. The use of the device helps to optimally visualize the focus of degenerative changes.
The easiest way to notice the mature form of pathology. At the first stage, the diagnosis is difficult, but possible.
What to do?
Before prescribing the removal of a complicated cataract, the doctor may first recommend milder methods of correcting the condition. Glasses are prescribed or lenses are selected in such a way as to ensure the ability to see well. The doctor will tell you how often you need to come for follow-up examinations - this will depend on the stage of the disease and the degree and speed of its progress. If vision deteriorates sharply and severely, eye surgery is indicated. The specific type of intervention is determined by evaluating the characteristics of the case. Some patients are shown surgery, affecting only the lens and cornea, sometimes more extensive interventions are needed. If you do not eliminate the root cause of the pathological condition, you will not be able to fully restore the ability to see.
Many patients require an operation to remove the lens. Instead, they put a lens made of artificial material. After the intervention, a recovery period is required. Rehabilitation obliges to carefully comply with medical prescriptions. If the patient neglects these tips, there is a high probability of complications and failure of the entire treatment as a whole.
Additional nuances
Cataract complicated by diabetes mellitus is quite common. A patient referred for surgery must first stabilize the glucose levels in the circulatory system. Only after the general condition of the body is normalized, eye surgery is allowed.
If a cataract is accompanied by a focus of inflammation, you must first exclude all damage, remove inflammation. If the patient has a chronic disease, it is necessary to wait for the form to go into remission. Only after that it is allowed to operate on the patient.
If surgery is sufficient to exclude not only cataracts, but also its underlying cause, a combined intervention is allowed, if possible in a particular case. To ensure the best prognosis, the patient must responsibly choose a good clinic with highly qualified staff.
Cataract: types and features
The complicated form of the disease has a number of distinctive nuances that distinguish it against the background of nuclear age-related pathologies and the cortical type of the development of the disease. Opacities localized in the posterior lens zone are practicallyare always explained by a violation of trophism, a deterioration in the quality of tissue nutrition, and a metabolic failure. Undesirable processes often indicate serious diseases affecting the visual system and prone to relapse. Often, a complicated form accompanies Fuchs' disease. This type of cataract threatens people with glaucoma if the pathology has progressed to an advanced, terminal stage. There is a possibility of deterioration of trophic processes against the background of pigment degenerative processes localized in the retina.
Cachectic cataract is diagnosed in some patients. Such a diagnosis is made if the body is generally very depleted. This can provoke starvation or a long-term severe infectious disease. There are many known cases of cataracts on the background of smallpox and typhoid. Anemia can cause degenerative changes. There are known cases of a combination of eye disease and dysfunction of the endocrine system. Among the patients of ophthalmologists, there are many people who have various types of dystrophies, tetany. There is a possibility of visual impairment against the background of Down syndrome, eczema and neurodermatitis. Higher dangers and risks for people suffering from atrophic poikiloderma, scleroderma.
Frequency and occasions
As can be concluded from official medical statistics, most often ophthalmologists encounter complicated cataracts in diabetics. It can form at any age, more often observed if the disease is severe. In diabetes mellitus, more often than in all other cases, the disease develops simultaneously on botheyes. Such a course may be characterized by atypical initial symptoms. In the posterior, anterior sections, small turbidity zones appear under the capsules, visually resembling flakes. Such areas are evenly spaced, between them you can see vacuoles, slits.
Initial diabetic cataract differs from other forms of the complicated type not only in the peculiarities of the location of cloudy areas, but also in the course of the process. If a suitable course of diabetes correction is prescribed, there is a chance that the condition of the eye will change back to normal without additional measures. In old age, the diabetic form can be combined with age-related nuclear. This is possible if strong sclerotic processes have begun in the nucleus of the lens.
