How eye patches can help
Have you ever seen what a cataract picture looks like? If so, when you come across people with cataract, they don’t need to be wearing eye patches for you to notice that there’s a vision problem. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye which affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging, so cataracts are very common in older people.
By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.
What About The Lens?
The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
In a normal eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once it reaches the retina, light is changed into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.
Normal Vision |
Cataract Vision |
|
Photos courtesy Prevent Blindness America |
The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image you see will be blurred.
Different Types Of Cataract
Though most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of cataract. These include:
Secondary — Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes. Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use.
Traumatic — This kind of cataract can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
Congenital — Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
Radiation — Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.
If your eye doctor prescribes patching as part of a treatment program for cataracts, note that you can use DrPatch patches with traditional orthoptic eye patches that cover the eye completely.
Not everyone is so keen on wearing something that looks too medical, so a delightful patch from DrPatch could be just what the doctor ordered for a more effective treatment!
Correcting Cataracts With Surgery
Cataract surgery is safe and effective, but it may not be for everyone. Depending on what your situation is, surgery may be avoided by using glasses or contact lenses. Again, each situation is different.
In the majority of cases, the surgery involves replacing the lens with an artificial lens. Do be prepared that you may still need to wear glasses even after the cataract has been removed.
By not having surgery, your vision will progressively get worse until daily activities become difficult or even dangerous. Speak to your doctor and weigh your options before deciding. Perhaps looking at a cataract picture (or pictures) may help with your decision.