What is cataract?

About 6% of men and 12% of women aged 65 or older need cataract surgery at some point. What is cataract and how do you get it?

Cataract is also called cataract. Vision decreases due to clouding of the lens of the eye. This can eventually lead to blindness. The first complaints can occur from the age of 50, but from the age of 75 the complaints usually become serious.

Old age is the main cause of cataracts. In diabetes, cataracts can occur at a younger age. Cataracts should be suspected if vision begins to gradually change after 60 years. People with cataracts can often suddenly read again without glasses at an older age. Blurred vision in backlight and double vision in one eye are also common with cataracts.

The treatment consists of replacing the old lens with an artificial lens. For this you only have to stay in the hospital for half a day. Glasses are often no longer needed afterwards, except for reading glasses

Source: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024