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In cataract the lens of the eye gets clouded and it affects the normal vision of the eyes. Mainly the cataracts are related to aging and that is why this condition in very common in older people. There are high chances of you also getting cataract by the age of 80. Cataract can happen in one or both the eyes. But it never gets spread from one eye to the other eye. There are certain other types of cataract also that can happen irrespective of the age. These types of cataract are explained below.
Types of Cataract -
- Secondary cataract – when you get treated for any other eye problems like glaucoma, you have some chances of getting this type of cataract. It is also a common condition in people with diabetes.
- Congenital cataract – Some infants are born with cataract or may develop it in their early childhood. This happens in both the eyes. This cataract will be quite small and hence it will not affect the vision of your child. This condition can be treated if the cataract starts affecting the normal vision. Replacing the lens can cure this.
- Traumatic cataract – when you get some eye injury then there are chances of you getting this kind of cataract.
- Radiation cataract – Due to some kind of exposure to some types of radiation this kind of cataract can affect you.
Causes of Cataract -
The lens is situated behind the iris and the pupil and it works like a camera lens. If focuses light on the retina so that an image can be formed on the retina. Like the camera lens, the eye lens can also adjust the focus and helps you to see things from all the angles. This lens is made up of water and protein and hence it is very clear and pure. But with growing age, this protein starts clumping together and this can cloud some area of the lens. This is what is known as cataract and if you will not get it treated then it will spoil the entire lens by clouding it more and more. Smoking and diabetes are also responsible for causing cataract. People can have cataract in their forties and fifties also. But by the age of 60 the clouding of the lens is more and thus many people get diagnosed with cataract in this age.
People who are diabetic are among the ones who can have cataract. Also those who smoke and drink too much alcohol can also have cataracts.
Preventing Cataract -
You should protect your eyes from harsh sunrays by wearing sunglasses and sun hats. Avoid smoking and stop drinking alcohol, as these are among the top causes of cataracts. Having vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts can reduce the chances of getting age related cataract. You should undergo an eye check once every year in your young age. As you reach your thirty, forty, fifty, etc. make sure that the number of eye check ups per year increase in the same manner. If you have any other eye conditions then get fast treated for them. If you get any eye injury then show your eye doctor and ensure that it has not caused any internal damage to your eyes.
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