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Cataracts Symptoms
A cataract refers to the progressive opacification (clouding) within the lens of the eye. Approximately 75% of cataracts are "senile cataracts", occurring with advanced age. Cataracts may also be caused by exposure to some forms of radiation, a drug side effect, or as a secondary complication of eye trauma.Babies born to mothers with German measles can have congenital cataracts.Recent evidence suggests a low blood level of vitamin E can increase the risk of cataracts. Smokers have 3 times the risk of nonsmokers for the development of serious cataracts. People who drink more than one alcoholic drink a day are 4 times more likely to develop cataracts than nondrinkers (or those who just have one drink).
Symptoms of cataracts include increasing mistiness and a progressive graying of the vision. Patients with cataracts often require frequent changes in their eyeglass prescriptions, and/or brighter lights in order to see. Because the lights from the oncoming vehicles are dispersed by the cloudy lens, forming a glare and halos around objects, most of these patients will have a problem driving at night. The only effective treatment is surgery. Cataract surgery, performed by an ophthalmologist, may be accomplished under general or under a local anesthesia.In most cases, the lens is removed and then replaced with an artificial one. This special lens is placed inside the eye. In some patients, under the age of 50, the use of contact lenses may correct the problem temporarily.
Hope this article will provide you information about cataracts.
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