The condition known as "cataract" is one of the most common eye diseases among middle-aged patients. One of the parts of the eye, called the "lens," is a crucial component that allows light rays to enter and refract, enabling us to see everything around us. The "lens" is located in the eye, next to the vitreous body and the iris. If a person has cataracts, the "lens" gradually becomes cloudy, losing its natural transparency, resulting in very little light entering the eye, visibility decreases, and vision becomes unclear and blurred, causing the person to squint. If treatment is not conducted in a timely manner, cataracts can lead to complete loss of vision.
Causes
The main causes of cataract development are:
- heredity
- previous trauma to the eyeball and various injuries
- previous eye diseases, such as glaucoma
- any endocrine disorder, for example, diabetes
- radiation exposure
- long-term use of medications that can cause the disease
- high levels of radiation
- poor environmental conditions
- toxic poisoning
- use of tobacco products.
Symptoms of Cataracts
In Ancient Greece, the condition of cataracts was called "kataraktes," which translates as "waterfall." With this condition, visibility worsens and becomes cloudy, as if looking through a waterfall or a fogged window. During the course of the disease, one begins to acutely perceive flickering stripes, dotted lines, spots, and "halos" around objects in bright light, along with a fear of bright light and double vision.
Diagnosis of Cataracts in Israel
Only a specialized ophthalmologist can determine the presence of cataracts. The preferred diagnostic method usually involves examining the fundus of the eye under good lighting. A detailed examination is conducted using a slit lamp, as it can create targeted illumination (biomicroscopy). Cataract diagnosis may also include a method that allows for calculating the possibilities of an intraocular lens.
Cataract Treatment in Israel
Unfortunately, there are currently no developments in the field of physiotherapeutic treatment for cataracts. Medicinal interventions to restore the "lens of the eye" to transparency will not yield the desired effect. Regaining the ability to see again is possible through surgical removal of the cloudy "lens" and replacement with an artificial analog. There is also an operation called phacoemulsification using ultrasound with implantation of an artificial "lens."
Prevention
It is commonly believed that refraining from using tobacco products and a carefully selected diet can minimize the risks of developing cataracts. Additionally, it should not be forgotten that regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist will significantly reduce the risk of the disease.