Overview
Cataracts mostly develop after the age of 50 but they can occasionally occur in young children and even infants. With aging, the proteins in the eye lens break down to form clumps. They cause cloudiness and impair the vision.
Cataract surgery is an eye surgery performed to remove the cloudy natural lens of the eyes and replace them with new intraocular lenses. Surgery to remove the cataracts is also performed to treat other eye conditions like diabetic retinopathy or progressing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Do all cataracts need surgery?
Cataract surgery is not a medical emergency. Surgery may not be necessary if the cataract is very small and it is not interfering with the vision.
In the initial stages, you will experience minor cataract symptoms and there is no need to rush and schedule surgery. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms and prescribe new glasses. Once the symptoms become worse, the vision deteriorates significantly and affects your quality of life, surgery is the only treatment option.
Many doctors advise for early removal of cataracts while they are still immature. This reduces the surgery length, recovery time, and also the possible risks of visual impairment due to hypermature or late-stage cataracts.
What happens if the cataract is left untreated?
Cataracts get worse over time and can interfere with your daily activities as your vision starts deteriorating. You may no longer be able to carry out your normal daily activities like driving, reading, office work, hobbies, etc. If left untreated for a long time, cataracts can lead to blindness.
Many people get intimidated by the thought of having eye surgery. In reality, cataract surgery is an elective surgery and it is a painless and effective procedure. The surgery only takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Doctors recommend to get cataract surgery before it starts impairing the vision. It is easy to operate an early-stage cataract and the chances of complications are also less. Cataracts if left untreated can turn into hypermature cataracts which become difficult to remove and there are higher chances of post-operative complications.
Stop your suffering NOW
Don't just jump into a surgery because your doctor is advising you to go for it. Consult our doctors to know if you need a surgery at all. Rest assured, we WON'T recommend you surgery unless it's the last resort.
Can cataracts be treated with home remedies?
The only permanent treatment for cataracts is surgery. There are various claims that natural remedies can treat cataracts, but there is no scientific evidence or proven results to support such claims.
Home remedies can boost eye health, delay progress, or manage symptoms, but once cataracts develop, they have to be treated surgically.
Cataract home remedies:
Healthy diet
A good diet rich in antioxidants protects the eyes from cataract formation. Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
Nuts and seeds like almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts help protect the eyes from free radical damage. You can also eat fatty fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and are good for your eyes.
Wear sunglasses
Over-exposure to the harmful ultraviolet sun rays can cause oxidative damage to the proteins present in the eye. Wear high-quality sunglasses outdoors, especially during summer that give at least 99% protection from sunlight.
Maintain hydration
Stay hydrated as it helps to flush out the toxins from the body.
Upgrade lifestyle habits
Upgrade your lifestyle by eating healthy and taking good care of your eye health. Cut down on smoking and alcohol consumption. Reduce long hours in front of the television or the laptop screen as the radiation can harm your eyes. Take frequent breaks and apply splashes of water to rejuvenate the eyes.
Take regular eye checkups
Once you reach the age of 40, it is imperative to take regular eye check-ups to rule out eye diseases as well as detect early signs of cataract formation. Once you are diagnosed with cataracts, consult your doctor and follow the necessary treatment.
