Perhaps, most people try to monitor the condition of the eyes, as they are aware of the importance of this organ. That is why it is necessary to know the main signs of the most common ophthalmic diseases in order to notice the pathological process at an early stage and begin its treatment. In this article, we will consider phacosclerosis of the eyes. What is it?
Changes in the lens of the eye associated with age
The lens is a significant part of the eye, which from the birth of a person undergoes various physiological changes. For example, immediately after childbirth, it has the shape of a ball, is soft and has no color. However, with age, it flattens out at the front of the lens. The color of the lens during this period is still transparent, but gradually a yellow tint also appears, which becomes more pronounced with age. Now the operation to replace the lens of the eye is very popular.
It must be said that not only the appearance of the lens changes, but also its elasticity, the lens becomes more and more hard over time. When a person reaches the age of forty, elasticity decreases to such an extent that there is a threat of the development of a pathology of such a type as age-related farsightedness, commonly known as "presbyopia". After a person turns sixty, he develops lens sclerosis, which affects the decline in the functioning of this organ.
Research by scientists in this area
Scientists paid attention to this problem and began to study it comprehensively. For this, representatives of different age groups were specially invited, after which the degree of hardening of the lens of the lens was measured. Quite quickly, the Australian scientists were helped to cope with this task by such a device as a mechanical analyzer, through which they took measurements at certain points. As a result, it turned out that the increase in the rigidity of the lens begins at the age of fourteen. This process is especially active in the cortical regions and in the nucleus. So, up to the age of thirty, in young people, the cortical sections are distinguished by a higher hardness than the core. However, as we approach the mark of thirty-five years, these indicators become the same. In the future, the rigidity of the core becomes higher.
Although the results were obvious, scientists have not been able to substantiate this phenomenon. Onlyhypotheses. For example, judging by one of them, the acquisition of sufficient hardness by the lens occurs due to the compaction of the substance from which it is formed during dehydration. However, when conducting special analyzes of phacosclerosis of the eyes (which is interesting to many), it turned out that the amount of water contained in the lens does not change over time and remains the same throughout human life. This result disproved the hypothesis.
Lens functionality
Generally speaking, the functional characteristics of the lens are determined primarily by its qualities such as softness and elasticity, which is also confirmed by the theory put forward by Hermann von Helmholtz. He argued that the human eye has such optical characteristics that when using near vision, an increase in the curvature of the lens surface occurs. However, no changes in its sphericity occur, this process is carried out due to contractions of the ciliary and ciliary muscles. Symptoms of eye phacosclerosis are presented below.
Since the lens must constantly undergo changes in its shape, it must maintain its elasticity. However, over the years, its rigidity increases more and more, and it is no longer so easy to change shape, and at a certain point, in principle, it loses this ability. Because of this, a person is forced to use glasses in old age.
Symptomatics
Phacosclerosis of the eyes (what it is, we explained) is suchpathological process, which is characterized by compaction of the fibers of the lens. To identify this disease in yourself, you need to know its main symptoms, which include:
- decrease in visual acuity and the occurrence of myopia;
- dry eyes or, conversely, tearing;
- eye fatigue due to prolonged eye strain;
- sharp pain in the eyeballs;
- gradual loss of color discrimination;
- high sensitivity to bright light;
- loss of clear vision, letters "float" before eyes while reading.
There is phacosclerosis in both eyes.
Reasons
We have already found out that most patients develop the disease due to age-related changes in eye tissues. But experts say that there are other factors that provoke the appearance of this pathology:
- iridocyclitis and corneal ulcer;
- myopia of varying degrees;
- diabetes mellitus;
- glaucoma and cataracts with various complications;
- predisposition in terms of heredity.
How is sclerosis of the lens of the eye diagnosed?
To confirm the diagnosis, a specialist needs to analyze the condition of the lens in side illumination using a lens of 20 D. In addition, the lens is also examined in transmitted light, so that changes in its shape, if any, can be judged.
The eye biomicroscopy procedure, which uses a slit lamp, is also mandatory. During the examination, it is possible to detect minimal changes in the color, shape and position of the lens. In addition, an ultrasound A-scan, or echobiometry, is also performed. This diagnostic method allows you to specify the place where the lens compaction has occurred, as well as determine the presence of opacification.
Features of the treatment of the disease
Phacosclerosis differs from other ophthalmic diseases in that it does not cause a decrease in visual acuity. That is why no special treatment is required. In most cases, the doctor prescribes corrective glasses, which are selected depending on the patient's age-related changes. But in severe cases, surgery is required to replace the lens of the eye.
Because until now, experts have not been able to find out the specifics of the mechanism of occurrence of phacosclerosis, there are no effective therapeutic methods. Specialists can only offer a set of measures aimed at maintaining the patient's condition, due to which it is possible to slow down the hardening of the lens and symptomatic manifestations. Therapy for the diagnosis of "phacosclerosis of the eyes" is reduced to the following activities:
- proper nutrition of the patient;
- physical activity;
- eating nutrients and certain vitamins;
- give up bad habits.
Folk methods
There are alsoand folk therapeutic methods that contribute to maintaining a he althy eye condition. Patients are advised to consume as much as possible blueberries, carrots, honey and other products that have been used by healers since ancient times to improve the quality of vision. At any time, such a recommendation as taking care of the necessary level of the general condition of the human body is relevant. With proper provision, he will be able to attract all his resources and help the lens to maintain its elasticity until old age. You also need to monitor how much sugar is in the blood, be sure to record the slightest changes in the condition of the eyes, try to prevent injuries and regularly visit an ophthalmologist.
The article discusses eye phacosclerosis, what it is, now it's clear.
