ITALK SERIES: WHAT IS CATARACT AND WHO IS AT RISK OF GETTING IT?(Wafrica Guest Post)

Cataract is a condition in which the lens in the eye gets clouded leading to a reduction in vision. This clouding of the natural lens of the eye comes about as a result of aggregation of crystalline proteins which the body use to form the lens. When one has cataract his or her vison becomes like a fogged up glass window. Cataract is currently the most common cause of vision loss in the world.

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Cataract comes in categorizations, the type of cataract and individual may be having greatly affect how the person will be seeing the world, he’s appreciation of color, how far or near an object has to be before seeing it and the intensity of fogginess.

Subcapsular Cataract develops at the back of the lens, this is a common occurrence in individual who take in steroid regularly and also diabetic patients.

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Cortical Cataract develops from the lens periphery to the center. Its name is as a result of the fact that it is found at the cortex or simply put the periphery of the lens.

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Nuclear Cataract as its name suggests develops in the central part of the lens. This is more consistent with aging and thus also called senile (aged) cataract.

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Trauma to the eye too may result in Cataract formation (Traumatic Cataract), therefore we ought to be more protective of our eyes

SOME COMMON CATARACT SYMTPOMS
Blurry Vision
Difficulty seeing at night
One may notice halos around lights
Intensity of color may appeared faded
Some Individuals even complain of double vision (It may not necessarily be cataract though)

SOME COMMON CAUSES OF CATARACT
Diabetes
UV Rays
Hypertensive Patients
Regular Smoking

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MANAGING CATARACT

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One can’t prevent the development of cataract since it so happens that as we age senile cataract is bound to come about anyway, however we can slow its progress drastically such that we may not even experience the symptoms that comes with it till we die. Anyway here are some few things we can do to manage it, for those who has it already and to retard its development for those that are yet to have it. Regular intake of foods rich in Vitamin E such as Almonds and Spinach are known to be very good for the eye and keeping cataract at bay. Also Foods rich in Zeaxanthin and Lutein are effective against cataract progressing too, and one may get these from green leafy vegetables. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Glutathione also help reduce the chemical process in the eye that result in cataract formation.

WHEN SHOULD ONE SEE A DOCTOR

See your optometrist if you realise that how you see has changed, if you notice any

sudden changes and sensation such as see objects in your vision or flashes or pain, quickly report to the nearest eye center.

This piece above is Authored by @nattybongo, edited and posted by @mcsamm for @wafrica.

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