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Cataracts
Cataracts in Adults
A cataract is an opacity or cloudiness in the natural lens of the eye, and is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The development of cataracts in adults maybe related to the aging process, systemic diseases, trauma, smoking, poor nutrition, and sunlight exposure.
Many people will notice the progression of cataracts when the cataracts begin to interfere with such tasks as driving or reading. Other common complaints are glare, halos around lights and even dimness of color vision. A thorough eye examination including a slit lamp examination will help your eye doctor diagnose cataracts. In the early stages of cataract, simply changing your glasses prescription may restore your vision to acceptable level. But as the cataract becomes more and more cloudy eventually a new glasses prescription will not helpful and surgery is required. The decision for cataract surgery is based on the patient's vision impairment, and the impact on their lifestyle.
Cataracts in Children
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens inside the eye. Cataracts are known mainly as the cause of poor vision in older adults, but cataracts can also occur in babies and children.
Cataracts in childhood may be caused by injury to the eye, or by a problem with the child's general health. Sometimes it is passed on to the child by heredity, usually from a parent who has had the same problem.
When a cataract is present in both eyes, family members can usually tell that is a problem with the child's vision. When only one eye is affected, the child will often will appear to see normally.
Congenital cataracts are usually diagnosed by the pediatrician during the first few weeks or months of life. The infant is typically referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist. Infants with congenital cataracts may develop profound amblyopia (lazy eye). Cataract surgery must be performed within the first few months of life if useful vision is to be obtained.
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