Do you have the first symptoms of cataracts? Don’t underestimate them!

Just as an ophthalmologist is able to notice degenerative changes in the lens with the naked eye, signaling the development of cataracts, the patient himself, experiencing the particular symptoms generated by a cloudy lens, can react in time and rush to an ophthalmologist. There is no worse scenario than the one in which we ignore the characteristic symptoms of cataracts in the hope that it is just fatigue and old age – paradoxically, cataracts happen not only to elderly people!

Characteristic symptoms of lens opacification

Cataract, or clouding of the lens of the eye, can occur in the course of metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), as a result of trauma to the eye, or as a side effect of certain medications (such as steroids). Although, indeed, age and the presence of the disease in the family history are among the risk factors that increase the likelihood of its appearance, one cannot persist in the belief that if one is ONLY [insert your age here] years old, the problem DOES NOT concern us.

Characteristic symptoms of cataracts include:

• Seeing objects “as through a dirty glass” or “through a fog.”
• Deterioration of distance vision,
• color discrimination problems,
• The impression of better vision on cloudy days.

Such a successive, though by no means rapid – on the contrary: stretched out in time enough to be able to react in time – deterioration of vision inevitably leads to impairment of daily self-care. If, in addition, we have a diagnosed visual defect, especially high myopia, and the selection of optimal spectacle lenses for our eyes seems increasingly difficult and ineffective, it is necessary to carry out a diagnosis for cataracts.

Cataracts cannot be stopped and cannot be cured pharmacologically

One thing must be realized right away: lens opacity cannot be stopped and cannot be cured pharmacologically. It might be worth adding – yet, but even if it is possible someday, today we can only get confirmation that the turbidity process has started and implement surgical treatment. The sooner, the better. Either way, we are facing the removal of our own lens and the implantation of an artificial lens, and the longer we delay the “repair of the eye”, the more serious the problems that cataracts generate. And these are both those related to the organ of sight itself and to our daily functioning.

Cataracts, although the procedure to remove them is quick, painless and almost 100% successful, are still considered one of the leading causes of vision loss! This only means that we ignore and first symptoms of cataracts, forgoing diagnosis, and do not want to undergo surgery to remove the cloudy lens in favor of implanting an artificial intraocular lens. What is left in return? Nothing!

Ignored cataracts mean additional health problems

Today we already know that cataracts are not “grown” – waiting until the cataract has reached the “right stage of maturity” is simply a medical malpractice. Specialists estimate that the maximum decrease in visual acuity at which surgery is necessary is 30-40%. MAXIMUM. That is, you can operate on the eye even before you reach that percentage score.

The longer we let the cataract mature, the greater the risk of complications when removing the own lens. Removal of a hard, thick and rigid cloudy lens is not indifferent to the entire eyeball. Not only that: the progressive loss of vision associated with the development of cataracts means that the quality of sensory input a person receives decreases, as well as the quantity and quality of light reaching the eye, which can contribute to the development of dementia. And one more thing. A hardening lens that gets thicker and “stretches” in the eye can disrupt blood flow and cause an increase in intraocular pressure, which, in turn, threatens an acute attack of glaucoma.

Therefore, the first symptoms of cataracts should not be underestimated, thinking that for some time (what???) we are still safe.

Cataract surgery = removal of native lens and implantation of artificial lens

The fear of removing the cloudy lens and implanting an artificial intraocular lens is unfounded and has its roots in the days when one waited until the cataract matured, and then such a hard, thick, rigid lens was removed in such a way that it adhered to the surgical instrument and was simply torn from the structures of the eye. Modern cataract removal procedures do not look like this!

The method of removing cataracts using an ultrasonic tip and implanting an artificial intraocular lens is called phacoemulsification. The procedure is performed under surface anesthesia: a gel or drop is applied to the conjunctival sac. In place of the removed lens, a new one is inserted – a flexible, retractable, acrylic lens that unfolds on its own in the natural lens bag and settles in the right place in the eyeball. The incision is minimal (1.5 to 3 mm).

The method, which involves making micro-incisions (called ports) in the cornea and removing the cloudy lens through them and then inserting a new one, is a high-precision femtosecond laser operation.

Both methods are quick (several minutes to half an hour), safe and effective.

If you decide to undergo the procedure in a private facility, you can choose to implant lenses from the PREMIUM group, i.e. lenses that, in addition to the spherical defect (short/long-sightedness), also compensate for non-spherical defect (astigmatism) and remove cataracts in a single procedure.

If you settle for the procedure reimbursed by the National Health Service, you are entitled only to a standard monofocal lens – you will be able to see clearly either up close or far away – for example, you will be able to drive a car without glasses, but will already need them for reading.

Regardless of your decision on the type of facility, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor as soon as you suspect that your vision problems are the result of a cloudy lens. Cataracts, which are not operated on time, are the cause of 35% of all cases of reversible blindness in the world, and we are able to catch the first signs of it on our own and get treatment quickly.