D-L Cataract Information JVC - PPS
D-L Cataract Information JVC - PPS
D-L Cataract Information JVC - PPS
Normal Eye
12/7/2006
Cataract
1
What is a Cataract?
An ocular opacity, partial or complete, of one or both eyes, on or in the lens or capsule, especially an opacity impairing vision or causing blindness. The subsequent cloudy appearance of the eye resulted in the origin of the name cataract
12/7/2006
Cataract Development
The lens is made mostly of water and protein. The protein is normally arranged to let light pass through and focus on the retina. Protein clumps together
Small areas of lens begin to cloud Light is blocked from reaching the retina and vision is impaired
You would be able to see light and dark and maybe distinguish large objects and see movement. An advanced stage cataract would be something like putting sheets of wax paper over your glasses
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 3
Cataract Formation
1. Early Stages change prescription 2. Late Stages surgical removal
It is 90% effective for age-related cataracts
For secondary, traumatic and congenital cataracts surgery is not always an option
Once a cataract begins to develop there is nothing that can be done to prevent its growth.
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 4
Types of Cataracts
There are four different types of cataracts
1. Age-related cataract: Most cataracts are related to aging 2. Congenital cataracts: Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These can lead to blindness or may not affect vision at all 3. Secondary cataract: Development in people who have certain other health issues, such as diabetes or things such as steroid use 4. Traumatic cataract: cataracts which develop after an eye injury
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 5
They attack the protein of the lens, steal a hydrogen and cause oxidative damage. This leads to a snowball effect The protein then clumps together and the lens begins to cloud, blocking some light from reaching the retina and clouding vision
12/7/2006
12/7/2006
12/7/2006
Symptoms
Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy or filmy vision Changes in the way you see colors Problems driving at night because headlights seem too bright Problems with glare from lamps or the sun Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription Double vision Better near vision in those who are farsighted
As the lens becomes cloudier the optics of the eye change this may actually allow people who once needed glasses to be able to read without them
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 10
Cataract Detection
Eye examination
Visual acuity test: This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances Pupil dilation: the pupil is widened with eye drops to allow your eye doctor to see more of the lens and retina and look for other eye problems Tonometry: This is a standard test to measure fluid pressure inside the eye
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 11
If these measures do not improve quality of life, surgery is the only option
Involves the removal of the cloudy lens and replacing it with a substitute lens
A cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes with everyday activities such as driving, reading or watching TV
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 12
Intraocular Lens
After the lens is removed a clear, artificial lens called an Intraocular lens (IOL) is required. The IOL becomes a permanent part of the eye and must last the rest of the patients life
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 14
12/7/2006
BUT.
12/7/2006
16
LOSS OF EYE
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 17
Epidemiology of Cataracts
According to the World Health Organization cataracts are the number one cause of blindness worldwide
50 million persons in the world are BLIND from cataracts
More then half of people over 65 have cataracts 60% of people over the age of 75 have cataracts
If you live long enough you are virtually GUARANTEED to develop a cataract
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 18
Primary Prevention
Intake of dietary antioxidants prevent cataract formation by blocking the oxidative modification of the lens
Vitamins A, C and E
People who had regular daily doses of the antioxidants Vitamin C and E were 32% less likely to have developed cataracts
12/7/2006 SURES - IN HOUSE CLINIC 19
VITAMIN A
12/7/2006
20
VITAMIN C
12/7/2006
21
VITAMIN E
12/7/2006
22
12/7/2006
25