Adult’s Cataract

The lens in this system is the focusing lens. When light rays pass through it, the visible image is focused on the surface of the retina.

Transparency of this element directly affects the clarity of the image perceived by the human eye. Cataract, as a disease, is expressed in the fact that the ideal transparency of the lens is lost.

In fact, in the complex optical system under consideration, clouding of the lens occurs. In this case, the human eye begins to perceive the image coming to the retina distorted. As if through a dirty, foggy window. In some cases, there is a change in color perception.

This disease mainly affects older people. In fact, 100% of patients over the age of eighty suffer from cataracts in one form or another. This is a chronic disease that develops gradually. If medical intervention is not carried out in time, its development leads to loss of vision, but, as a rule, it is reversible.

How do cataracts manifest?

The initial stage of cataracts is practically asymptomatic.

The first signs of this disease are:

• Light fog, dark spots before the eyes;
• The appearance of double vision.

Subsequently, the clinical picture worsens, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

• The appearance of a “veil” before the eyes;
• The appearance of blurred vision;
• Contrast and visual acuity decreases;
• Object vision is lost;
• Externally, the pupil visually brightens, its color changes (the pupil turns white).

Causes that lead to the appearance of cataracts

This disease is an age-related disease that is associated with the “wear and tear” of the lens of the eye, its loss of transparency, purity and elasticity. However, in addition to age-related changes, the development of cataracts can be provoked by the following factors:

• Previous eye surgeries or eye injuries;
• Taking certain types of medications for a long time (corticosteroids, tetracyclines, some antidepressants);
• Burns to the eyes. Ultraviolet, light or electromagnetic radiation arising from contact with direct rays of the sun or when performing welding work without the use of eye protection leads to damage to the lens.

How are cataracts treated?

The disease can only be cured through surgery. Modern technique in cataract surgery that we offer in Bahrain is phacoemulsification which consists of lens replacement and therefore the implant straightens on its own in the place where the lens was removed.

• The worn out cloudy lens must be removed by implanting an artificial lens in its place;
• The operation is possible at any stage of the disease;
• The operation is very complex, but for an experienced surgeon it is not difficult and its duration is 10 minutes;

During the operation, the patient is given local anesthesia.