Cataract
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
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A cataract is a clouding that forms on the natural lens of the eye when light cannot pass through it completely. This clouded condition is called a cataract in English. The lens sits at the front of the eye, and its function is to focus light onto the retina so that images appear clear.
Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure; the patient does not stay in hospital overnight. Most commonly, a local anesthetic is used that affects only the eye. When the clouded lens is removed, it is replaced with an artificial lens made of plastic or silicone (intraocular lens).
Causes of lens clouding
The most common cause is age: the proteins in the lens change and accumulate over time. Other causes include eye injury, diabetes, long-term use of steroid medications, and congenital conditions. Some people experience blurred vision, glare at night, and faded colors.
Surgical techniques
The most common technique worldwide is phacoemulsification: a very small incision is made in the eye, an ultrasound probe is used to break up the lens, and the fragments are then suctioned out. After this, the artificial lens is inserted through the same small incision. Another technique known as manual small-incision surgery (MSICS) is used in many parts of the world because it does not require expensive equipment.
Recovery and risks
Most patients' vision begins to improve within days. The doctor typically prescribes antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for several weeks. Rare possible complications include infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis), swelling, increased eye pressure, and retinal detachment. In some cases, haze can develop behind the artificial lens after surgery; this is treated with laser without requiring another surgery.
Public health significance
Lens cloudiness ranks among the leading preventable causes of blindness worldwide, particularly in low-income countries where surgical services are concentrated in major cities. Public health programs that bring surgical teams to rural areas aim to reduce the number of people awaiting cataract surgery.