Stage of cataract visual acuity. What is accompanied by the initial stage of cataracts, treatment with drugs, drops and folklore

Cataract is the most common ophthalmic disease. This is a pathology of the eye lens, with the development of which, it is observed clouding. To understand its mechanism, it is necessary to know that the lens of the eye is a biconvex lens, which is located inside the eye directly behind the pupil.

It provides vision adjustment at different distances, which is called focusing or accommodation in accordance with medical terminology. It is thanks to the lens that a person can see equally well, both close and far.

Cataract Classification - Operation

With age or under the influence of any adverse external or internal factors, opacities in the lens can be observed. It is worth noting that cataract in most cases is an age-related disease and cataract surgery is often required.

As a rule, it develops in older people from 55 years old. Moreover, it is diagnosed equally often in both men and women. But due to the fact that the life expectancy of women is longer, they often turn to specialists about this disease.

Currently, two types of cataracts are classified - age-related or primary and complicated, which develops in the presence of other internal diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus, rheumatic pathologies or with traumatic eye injuries.

Therefore, this disease develops individually, and it is not currently possible to identify any risk factors for the occurrence of primary pathology. In the case of complicated cataracts, the main risk factor is diabetes, which can become a trigger for the development of lens opacity.

No genetic predisposition to this disease has been identified. It is worth noting that there is a congenital cataract, which occurs due to intrauterine infections of the fetus at different stages of pregnancy, affecting the organs of vision. In the case of traumatic cataract, its causes may be eye bruises or penetrating injuries. The lens retains transparency only if the integrity of its capsule. If it is damaged, it becomes cloudy.

Some drugs, such as antimetabolites used in the treatment of cancer, can also provoke cataracts. It can also occur during radiotherapy, which can cause radiation cataracts that occur when ionizing radiation affects the structure of the lens of the eye, resulting in structural changes.

Cataract treatment

It is worth noting that ophthalmologists are currently moving away from the classic gradation of cataracts, which implies four stages of this disease - initial, immature, mature and overripe. Such a classification was relevant in the past when it was necessary to determine the possibility of surgical intervention.

Previously, an operation to remove the lens involved an extensive corneoscleral incision. eyeball and removal of the lens nucleus. If it was not formed and was not dense enough, it was very difficult to remove the soft lens masses, so I had to wait for the cataract to mature and become dense.

In this case, it became possible to remove the lens with one block. With the development of technologies and the application of methods of phatoemulsification, it does not currently matter at what stage of development the cataract is.

It is even easier to operate and treat cataracts in an immature stage, because soft lens masses are easier to aspirate and less ultrasound is used to fragment them. It is worth noting that cataract implies only surgical treatment, since all other conservative methods will not lead to the desired result. You can find cataract treatment prices in

The physiology of the visual apparatus provides for the presence of a special structure in it - the lens. This is a kind of optical lens through which light rays pass and focus on the retina.

Most ophthalmic diseases occur in people over forty years old. The most common pathology is cataract. The development of this ailment is based on complete or partial clouding of the lens. The accumulation of a large number of lens fibers leads to its dehydration and compaction. This directly affects the acuity and quality of vision.

Clouding of the lens can occur both on one and both visual organs. A person begins to see a fuzzy picture in front of him. Cataracts are a chronic disease that will certainly progress.

Pathology can lead to the development of serious complications, up to a complete loss of visual function. To avoid this, you need to pay attention to characteristic symptoms. Some signs may indicate that a person develops an initial cataract of OU. At this stage, the disease has not yet had time to spread widely, so it is much easier to treat.

What it is?

The initial stage of cataract is characterized by hydration, or flooding of the lens. Fluid inside the eye accumulates between the fibers in the cortical layers. This leads to the formation of water gaps. Over time, larger turbidity zones are added to these vacuoles, which are located in deeper zones.

Optical lens increases in volume. Her refractive abilities are changing. In patients with presbyopia (presbyopia), the illusion of improved vision may be created.

The next stage of the pathological process are peripheral changes the lens, as well as the formation of opacities. The refractive properties of the optical lens are gradually deteriorating. In the absence of proper treatment initial stage cataracts will progress steadily.

IMPORTANT! Initial cataracts most often develop in people after 60 years.

First, opacities form on the periphery of the lens — outside the optical zone. Long time central part retains its transparency. Most often, cataracts of both eyes are found.

The disease is congenital and acquired. The first variant of the pathology is recorded immediately after the birth of the child or before the age of one year. The rate of progression of acquired cataracts is largely dependent on lifestyle external factors, as well as individual characteristics of the body.

One of the subtypes of pathology is senile cataract. At first it manifests itself in the form of a slight improvement in vision, after which there is a sharp deterioration in the quality of vision. The initial stage of lens opacification lends itself to drug therapy, but over time, the patient is still offered surgery.

There are four main degrees of clouding of the lens:

• Initial. Cataracts are just beginning. Vision deteriorates only if the clouding extends to the pupil. At this stage, treatment involves the use of eye dropsthat inhibit the development of the disease.
• Immature or swelling. The lens increases in size, overlapping the pupil. Patients lose the ability to see even those objects that are very close.
• Mature. Objective vision is almost lost. Immediate treatment required.
• Overripe. In addition to surgery, it is impossible to stop the development of the disease.

At the initial stage of the cloud zone, they capture the periphery and the equator region, which extends beyond the optical zone. A marked decrease in vision at the stage of initial cataract is not observed. From time to time, patients tend to attribute the arising signs to fatigue or other existing ophthalmic disorders. It is not easy to identify the disease at this stage. This will require the use of special equipment.

With immature cataracts, they move to the capsule of the optical lens. If at the previous stage, patients do not experience visual discomfort, then the immature form is characterized by a decrease in visual acuity.

With mature cataracts, the entire area around the lens is filled with opacities. The lens becomes cloudy and takes on a gray tint. The quality of vision falls to the level of sensation of light.

Overripe cataract is a stage of complete degeneration and decay of the lens fibers. The lens takes on a characteristic milky white hue.

Among all types of cataracts, the senile form is considered the most common. Due to the natural aging of the body, the initial clouding of the lens occurs after forty years. With age, the amount of natural antioxidants decreases, which are simply necessary to fight free radicals - organic molecules, the number of which is becoming more and more due to natural aging.

Broken and metabolic processes in the lens. The composition of the intraocular fluid changes. The number of amino acids, enzymes is reduced, and the number of insoluble proteins is also increased.

Senile cataracts in both eyes may not progress synchronously. In old age, the symptoms of the disease may not appear for a long time due to the slow development of pathology.

The beginning cataract is very easy to miss, so you need to be careful about all changes in vision

The reasons

Despite the fact that elderly people are more susceptible to the disease, initial cataracts can also occur among young patients. This can be facilitated by working conditions, injuries, poor environmental conditions, bad habits, visual overfatigue, chronic pathologies, diseases of the spine.

ATTENTION! At risk for the occurrence of the disease are patients with endocrine disorders, as well as having a hereditary predisposition.

Other reasons may also serve as a catalyst for the development of ophthalmic disorder:

• the effect of radiation;
• infectious pathologies: syphilis, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis (complicated cataract);
• prolonged use of corticosteroids;
• eye diseases: glaucoma, myopia;
• avitaminosis;
• rhesus conflict of mother and child;
• intrauterine abnormalities;
• intoxication;
• angiopathy;
• alcoholism, smoking;
• skin pathologies;
• anemia;
• down's disease;
• eye burns.

Symptoms

Everyone should be familiar with the initial manifestations of cataracts:

• the appearance of spots, circles or spots in front of the eyes;
• diplopia - double image;
• the appearance of a halo around a light source;
• temporary return of reading ability without glasses (in elderly patients);
• worsening twilight vision, glare and flare in the dark;
• photophobia;
• vision loss;
• lack of lighting when reading;
• fog in the eyes, lack of a clear outline of objects;
• patients often have to change diopters when ordering glasses or contact lenses.
• colors become dull.

Clinical symptoms largely depend not only on the stage, but also on the localization of the pathological process. Age-related cataracts in most cases begin with the cortical part of the lens and gradually develops towards the center. The closer the lesion moves to the central part, the more severe the symptoms will appear.

For age-related cataracts, the appearance of such signs is characteristic:

• general decrease in visual acuity;
• hypersensitivity to the light;
• double vision;
• farsightedness is replaced by myopia;
• blurred image;
• deterioration in brightness and clarity of the image;
• the appearance of halos when looking at a light source;
• poor vision in poor lighting;
• the appearance of spots and flies in front of the eyes;
• difficulties in working with small parts;
• pupil color change.

REFERENCE! The first signs of cataracts are rarely pronounced, so patients rarely turn to the optometrist at this stage of the disease.

Externally, the early symptoms of pathology cannot be determined. However, when pain, burning or irritation must be seen by an ophthalmologist.

With a congenital form, the child has strabismus. He has no reaction to objects. Pupil acquires white color.

It is quite difficult to independently identify the ailment, since in most of the lens the transparency is preserved and nothing indicates the development of pathological changes. In general, in each case, the symptoms can manifest themselves in different ways. Some may be disturbed by the appearance of dots in front of the eyes, while others do not complain about anything.

Diagnostics

Problems with cataract detection usually do not occur. Difficulties associated with determining the stage, location, causes of turbidity, as well as the choice therapeutic tactics.

The diagnosis is made by an ophthalmologist based on the results of the studies (the photo shows a check for visual acuity)

Ophthalmic diagnosis includes the following examinations:

• visometry;
• perimetry;
• tonometry;
• biomicroscopy;
• refractometry.

Laboratory tests are also required. Ophthalmologist prescribes to patients general analysis blood and urine, biochemistry, glucometry.

If a cataract has been identified by a physician, treatment should begin as soon as possible. Due to the fact that the lens increases in size, the outflow of intraocular fluid is disrupted. This leads to glaucoma. Cataracts can cause atrophic changes. optic nerve.

What to do?

You can treat cataracts with medications and folk remedies. However, a complete cure can only be hoped for with the help of surgery.

Drug therapy

Conservative treatment of initial cataracts includes the use of eye drops saturated with vitamins, as well as drugs whose active ingredient is lanosterol. This substance helps to dissolve protein accumulations of the lens.

Leading ophthalmologists agree that you should not wait for the cataract to mature, but proceed to treatment as soon as possible

Using medicines - It is rather a preventive or preparatory measure. Only in extreme cases does it help prevent clouding. Consider the list of the most famous and effective remedies for initial cataract:

• Taufon. Drops restore the metabolic processes of the lens and improve the regeneration processes. The drug suspends turbidity and additionally protects against the effects of infectious agents;
• Cataracts The drug affects the reaction of proteins, stopping the degeneration of the lens. Cataracts are approved for use during pregnancy and lactation;
• Quinax. Drops protect the lens from oxidation, improve metabolic processes, and also increase its transparency.

ATTENTION! Cataracts cannot be treated with eye drops. Such drugs can only temporarily slow down the pathological changes in the lens.

Surgical intervention

The best treatment for cataracts is phacoemulsification. The clouded substance of the lens is removed, while its capsule is preserved. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The patient is instilled eye drops with an anesthetic, after which the surgeon makes microscopic incisions and inserts a probe into the lens.

With the help of ultrasonic exposure, the changed lens softens. Turbidity is removed. The washing procedure is carried out using irrigation solutions. An intraocular lens is placed in place of the removed lens. It is an optical system that is equipped with fixing elements. The incision is self-sealing, so no suturing is required.

Phacoemulsification is carried out using the latest equipment. The procedure is carried out for twenty minutes. There is no need for hospitalization. The ability to see returns only a few hours after the operation.

ethnoscience

Often among unconventional cataract recipes, honey is mentioned. The beekeeping product can be used in the form of eye drops. To prepare them, you can use filtered water or juice of caustic buttercup. Also, honey can be taken orally in combination with freshly squeezed onion juice.

IMPORTANT! Populists claim that regular consumption of blueberries helps to improve visual acuity.

To prepare a medicinal decoction, dried sage is required. One teaspoon of raw materials should be poured with two glasses of water. The solution should be boiled for several minutes. The infused and filtered broth is taken in half a glass before meals. The course of admission should be at least a month.

In cataracts, populists recommend preparing a compress. A teaspoon of honey is poured into a glass of water and put on a big fire. After the solution boils, it still needs to be boiled for five minutes. The cooled mixture is spread on cheesecloth and applied to closed eyelids for five minutes. This procedure is best done before bedtime.

Summarizing

Initial cataract is the first phase of the clouding of the lens. At this stage, the disease is most easily treated. Patients often do not pay attention to the symptoms of initial cataract, attributing them to fatigue. The only treatment is surgery. The drugs can not cure an ailment, they can only stop for a while the progression of turbidity.

- pathology of the light-refracting structure of the eye - the lens, characterized by its clouding and loss of natural transparency. Cataracts are manifested by "blurred" vision, worsening night vision, weakening color perception, sensitivity to bright light, diplopia. Ophthalmological examination for cataracts includes visometry, perimetry, ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, tonometry, refractometry, ophthalmometry, ultrasound scanning of the eye, electrophysiological studies. To slow the progression of cataracts, conservative therapy is performed; cataract removal is performed by microsurgical intervention with the replacement of the lens with an intraocular lens.

General information

Cataract (from the Greek. Katarrhaktes - waterfall) - clouding or discoloration of part or all of the lens, leading to a decrease in its light transmission and visual acuity. According to WHO, half of the cases of blindness worldwide are caused by cataracts. In the age group of 50-60 years, cataracts are detected in 15% of the population, 70-80 years - in 26% -46%, older than 80 years - in almost everyone. Among congenital eye diseases, cataract also occupies a leading position. The high prevalence and social consequences of the disease make cataract one of the most pressing problems of modern ophthalmology.

The lens is part of the diopter (light guide and light refracting) apparatus of the eye, located posterior to the iris, opposite the pupil. Structurally, the lens is formed by a capsule (bag), capsular epithelium and lens substance. The surfaces of the lens (front and back) have a spherical shape with different radius of curvature. The diameter of the lens is 9-10 mm. The lens is an avascular epithelial mass; nutrients it is supplied by diffusion from the surrounding intraocular fluid.

By its optical properties, the lens is a biological biconvex transparent lens, the function of which is to refract the rays entering into it and focus them on the retina. The refractive power of the lens is not uniform in thickness and depends on the state of accommodation (at rest - 19.11 diopters; in a state of stress - 33.06 diopters).

Any change in the shape, size, position of the lens leads to significant violations of its functions. Among the anomalies and pathology of the crystalline lens there is aphakia (absence of the crystalline lens), microfacia (reduction in size), coloboma (absence of a part of the lens and its deformation), lenticonus (protrusion of the surface in the form of a cone), and cataract. Cataract formation can occur in any of the layers of the lens.

Causes of Cataract

The etiology and mechanisms of cataractogenesis - the development of cataracts are explained from the standpoint of several theories, however, none of them gives an exhaustive answer to the question about the causes of the disease.

In ophthalmology, the theory of free radical oxidation is most widely used, which explains the mechanism of cataract formation from the point of view of the formation of free radicals in the body - unstable organic molecules with an unpaired electron that easily enter into chemical reactions and cause severe oxidative stress. It is believed that lipid peroxidation - the interaction of free radicals with lipids, especially unsaturated fatty acids, leads to the destruction of cell membranes, which causes the development of senile and diabetic cataracts, glaucoma, microcirculation disorders in the brain tissue, hepatitis. The formation of free radicals in the body is primarily promoted by smoking and ultraviolet radiation.

An important role in the mechanism of cataract development is played by an age-related decrease in antioxidant defense and a deficiency of natural antioxidants (vitamins A, E, glutathione, etc.). In addition, they change with age. physicochemical properties lens protein fibers, which make up more than 50% in its structure. Disruption of the lens metabolism and the development of opacities can be associated with a change in the composition of the intraocular fluid in case of recurrent inflammatory eye diseases (iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis), as well as ciliary body and iris dysfunction (Fuchs syndrome), terminal glaucoma, pigment degeneration and retinal detachment.

In addition to age-related involution, deep general exhaustion after severe predisposition to the development of cataracts infectious diseases (typhoid, malaria, smallpox, etc.), starvation, anemia, excessive insolation, exposure to radiation, toxic poisoning (mercury, thallium, naphthalene, ergot). Endocrinopathies (diabetes, tetany, muscular dystrophy, adiposogenital syndrome), Down's disease, are risk factors for developing cataracts. skin diseases (scleroderma, eczema, neurodermatitis, poikiloderma Jacobi). Complicated cataracts can occur with mechanical and shell injuries of the eye, eye burns, eye surgery, dysfunctional hereditary cataracts in the family, high myopia, uveitis.

Congenital cataract in most cases is caused by toxic effects on the embryo during the laying of the lens. Among the causes of congenital cataract, a pregnant infection (flu, rubella, herpes, measles, toxoplasmosis), hypoparathyroidism, corticosteroids, etc. can be distinguished. Congenital cataract can occur with hereditary syndromes and combined with malformations of other organs.

Cataract classification

In ophthalmology, cataracts are divided into two large groups: congenital and acquired. Congenital cataracts, as a rule, are limited in area and stationary (do not progress); with acquired cataracts, changes in the lens progress.

Among acquired cataracts, depending on the etiology, senile (senile, age - about 70%), complicated (for eye diseases - about 20%), traumatic (for eye injuries), radiation (when the lens is damaged by x-ray, radiation, infrared radiation) are distinguished ), toxic (with chemical and drug intoxications), cataracts associated with common diseases.

According to the localization of clouding in the lens, they distinguish:

• anterior polar cataract - located under the capsule in the anterior pole of the lens; turbidity has the appearance of a round spot of whitish and grayish color;
• posterior polar cataract - located under the capsule of the posterior pole of the lens; in color and shape similar to anterior polar cataract;
• fusiform cataract - located along the anteroposterior axis of the lens; has the shape of a spindle, in appearance resembles a thin gray ribbon;
• nuclear cataract - located in the center of the lens;
• layered (zonular) cataract - is located around the nucleus of the lens, while the turbid and transparent layers alternate;
• cortical (cortical) cataract - located along the outer edge of the lens membrane; has the appearance of whitish wedge-shaped inclusions;
• posterior subcapsular - located under the capsule behind the lens;
• complete (total) cataract is always bilateral, characterized by clouding of the entire substance and lens capsule.

Overripe cataracts may be complicated by phacogenic (phacolytic) glaucoma associated with clogging of the natural pathways of the outflow of HPV by macrophages and protein molecules. In some cases, rupture of the lens capsule and the exit of protein detritus into the cavity of the eye may occur, which entails the development of phacolytic iridocyclitis.

Cataract maturation can be rapidly progressive, slowly progressive, and moderately progressive. In the first case, from the initial stage to extensive opacification of the lens takes 4-6 years. Rapidly progressive cataracts develop in approximately 12% of cases. Slow cataract maturation occurs within 10-15 years and occurs in 15% of patients. Moderate cataract progression in 70% of cases occurs over a period of 6-10 years.

Cataract Symptoms

Severity clinical manifestations depends on the stage of cataract. Visual acuity with initial cataract may not suffer. Early signs diseases can be double objects (diplopia), flickering of "flies" before the eyes, blurred vision ("like in a fog"), staining of visible objects in a yellowish tint. Cataract patients have difficulty writing, reading, or working with small details.

The cataract clinic is characterized by an increased sensitivity of the eyes to light, a deterioration in night vision, a weakened color perception, the need to use bright lighting when reading, the appearance of a “halo” when looking at any light source. Vision with cataracts changes in the direction of myopia, so patients with severe farsightedness sometimes suddenly find that they can perfectly see close without glasses. The visible image spreads out before the eyes, however, it cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, despite the change in diopter level.

In the immature stage and especially mature cataract visual acuity sharply decreases, objective vision is lost, only light perception is preserved. During cataract maturation, the pupil becomes milky white instead of black.

Cataract Diagnosis

The detection of cataracts is carried out by an ophthalmologist on the basis of a number of standard and additional examinations.

Routine ophthalmologic examination for suspected cataracts includes visometry (visual acuity test), perimetry (determination of visual fields), color testing, tonometry (measurement of intraocular pressure), biomicroscopy (examination of the eyeball with a slit lamp), ophthalmoscopy (fundus examination). In aggregate, a standard ophthalmologic examination reveals such signs of cataract as a decrease in visual acuity, a violation of color perception; to investigate the structure of the lens, assess the localization and magnitude of the opacification, to detect the dislocation of the lens, etc. If it is impossible to examine the fundus, with severe clouding of the lens, they resort to the study of entopic phenomena (mechanophosphenus and the phenomenon of autoophthalmoscopy), which make it possible to judge the state of the neuroreceptor.

Special methods of examination for cataract include refractometry, ophthalmometry, ultrasound scanning of the eye in A- and B-mode, ultrasound biomicroscopy, etc. Additional methods allow the ophthalmologist to calculate the strength of the intraocular lens ( artificial lens), determine the optimal operating technique.

For rate functional state The retina, optic nerve and the central departments of the visual analyzer for cataracts undergo electrophysiological studies: electrooculography (EOG), electroretinography (ERG), registration of visual evoked potentials (VEP).

Cataract treatment

In the initial stages of senile cataract, conservative therapy is used, including instillation of eye drops (azapentacene, pyrenoxine, combination drugs with cytochrome C, taurine, etc.). Such measures do not lead to resorption of the opacities of the lens, but only slow down the progression of cataracts.

The meaning of the so-called replacement therapy consists in the introduction of substances, the lack of which leads to the development of cataracts. Therefore, amino acids and vitamins (riboflavin, nicotinic acid, vitamin C), antioxidants, potassium iodide, ATP and other substances. The drug azapentacene has a different mechanism of action - due to the activation of proteolytic enzymes, it to some extent promotes the resorption of the opaque protein structures of the lens.

Conservative treatment of cataracts is ineffective, therefore the only method of eliminating pathology and restoring vision is a microsurgical operation - removing the altered lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens. The possibilities of modern eye microsurgery eliminate the need to wait until the full maturation of the cataract for its removal.

Medical indications for surgical treatment include: swelling cataract, overripe cataract, lens subluxation or dislocation, detection of secondary glaucoma, concomitant fundus pathology requiring treatment (diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, etc.). Additional indications for surgical treatment of cataracts are determined by professional and domestic needs to improve the quality of vision. In bilateral cataracts, an eye with lower visual acuity is first operated on.

In modern cataract surgery, several methods are used to remove clouded lens: extracapsular and intracapsular cataract extraction, ultrasound and laser phacoemulsification.

The most serious prognosis for visual function is associated with congenital cataracts, since in this case, as a rule, there are changes in the neuro-receptor apparatus of the eye. Surgery acquired cataracts, in most cases leads to the achievement of acceptable visual acuity, and often - and the restoration of the patient's ability to work.

Prevention of congenital cataracts requires the prevention of viral diseases during pregnancy, the exclusion of radiation exposure. To prevent the development of acquired cataracts, especially at a young age, antioxidant protection of the body is necessary, earlier treatment of concomitant general and ophthalmic pathology, prevention of eye injuries, annual professional examinations by an ophthalmologist.

Cataract is an eye disease, the main sign of which is clouding of the main substance or lens capsule (a decrease in their transparency), accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity. The lens is one of the most important components of the optical system of the eye, the main function of which is to conduct light and focus the image of objects on the retina. Cataract is one of the most common eye diseases.

Cataracts are distinguished into congenital and acquired

Congenital cataract - It may be a consequence of intrauterine growth disorders, for example, an infection in the mother (rubella, etc.), as well as a genetic predisposition.

Acquired Cataract- most often the natural process of aging of the body, but it can also occur as a result of metabolic disorders of the body, can be caused by toxic, radiation or radiation exposure to the lens of the eye, trauma or as a result of diseases of the inner membranes of the eye. Cataracts often occur in people after 40-50 years, and it is called age. Age-related cataracts differ in stages - initial, immature, mature and overripe. The initial stage of cataracts is characterized by a slight decrease in vision and the presence of streaky opacities in the lens (detected by examination with an ophthalmoscope) going from its periphery to the center.

Stages of cataract development and symptoms:

• The initial stage of cataract - characterized by clouding of the lens of the eye on the periphery - outside the optical zone and is accompanied by a slight drop in vision.
• Immature cataract - the spread of clouding of the lens into the central optical zone. Clouding of the lens at this stage of the cataract leads to a marked decrease in vision. The patient can see spots and strokes before his eyes, things and objects look blurry
• Mature cataract - the entire lens of the eye is affected by opacities, which is characterized by a decrease in visual acuity to the level of light perception.
• Overripe Cataract - further development the disease is accompanied by the breakdown of the lens fibers, the substance of the lens affected by cataracts liquefies, it becomes milky white.

Cataract Ripening Rate

• At 12 % patients going cataract maturation. From the moment of the development of the disease to extensive clouding of the lens, requiring immediate surgical intervention, there are 4-6 years.
• At 15 % patients observed slowly progressing cataractsthat develop over 10-15 years.
• At 70 % of patients cataract progression occurs in 6–10 years. Is required obligatory surgical intervention .

Conservative treatment of cataracts

Conservative treatment is carried out at the initial stages of age-related cataract and is based on the use of various drugs, mainly in the form of eye drops such as quinax, catachrome, vitiodurool, vitafacol, vytin and several others.

One of the most common ophthalmic diseases in old age is - opacification of the eye lens, which is located between the iris of the eyeball and vitreous. Most often, the initial stage of this pathological condition is diagnosed, the treatment of which can be carried out conservatively or surgically. Timely initiated therapy avoids other serious complications.

This pathology is considered an age-related disease resulting from the natural processes of aging. The disease is diagnosed mainly in people over 60 years old. The main factor provoking the development of the pathological process is a violation of material metabolism, protein deficiency.

The initial stage of cataracts can also occur at a younger age. Can highlight following reasons the occurrence of this disease:

• mechanical damage to the eyeball;
• violation of the functioning of the "thyroid gland";
• prolonged use of glucocorticosteroids;
• eye diseases;
• infectious pathologies;
• intoxication of the body;
• exposure to eyes of radiation, ultraviolet radiation;
• some dermatological diseases (neurodermatitis, eczema);
• alcohol abuse, active smoking.

A complicated form can develop against the background of such pathological conditions:

• anemia;
• down syndrome;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• various systemic, autoimmune pathologies.

Eye cataract may be congenital, resulting from genetic predisposition, incompatibility of the Rhesus factors of the mother and child, infectious diseases or various deviations in the development of the embryo.

Most of all, women living in adverse conditions are most likely to develop a pathological condition. environmental conditions or working in a factory with harmful working conditions.

Early signs of cataract

During the initial cataract, the lens is flooded, as a result of which it increases, the structure of the lens fibers changes, clouding appears, which at first are located only on the equator of the lens, but eventually begin to spread along the entire axis. This leads to a gradual visual impairment. The peculiarity of the development of the initial stage of cataracts is that it often proceeds asymptomatically, which complicates the diagnosis of the problem at this stage.

Symptoms of cataract in adults at an early stage:

• flickering flies, spots and flashes of light in front of the eyes;
• hypersensitivity to light;
• split image;
• decreased visual acuity;
• fuzzy contours of objects;
• visual impairment in the dark;
• dimming colors;
• difficulty reading or working at a computer in low light.

Opacification of the lens of the eyeball occurs gradually. At the initial stage of cataract, the accumulation of intraocular fluid is observed only in the peripheral part, which does not affect the quality of vision. Sometimes people who already have vision problems at this stage in the development of the disease begin to see better. But these are only temporary improvements, which, in the absence of timely treatment, quickly turn into myopia or farsightedness.

It is impossible to diagnose the pathology on one's own, therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor if the slightest problems with vision appear in order to find out how to treat the disease.

Kinds

Depending on the nature of origin, the initial cataract is of 2 types:

1. Congenital. Pathology is formed in the prenatal period or in the first year of a child's life. Due to the genetic nature of the disease, it is difficult to treat.
2. Acquired. Manifested throughout life.

Given the cause of the disease, acquired cataract is of several varieties:

• age;
• traumatic;
• radiation;
• toxic

Most often, the initial one is found. Depending on the site of clouding of the lens, the following types of disease are distinguished:

• anteropolar;
• backpolar;
• zonular;
• spindle-shaped;
• cortical;
• nuclear initial cataract;
• total.

The speed of its progression, especially the course and treatment, depend on the variety of pathology.

Treatment of cataracts of the initial stage

What to do at the initial stage of cataract? If vision deteriorates, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist who will conduct a detailed examination, make a diagnosis and select the most suitable treatment. Cure initial cataract conservative method impossible even at the initial stage of the development of the disease. But drug treatment nevertheless, it can be prescribed for preventive or preparatory purposes. To inhibit the progression of the pathological process are prescribed. What drops are better for cataracts of the initial stage? Most often, the following remedies are recommended:

• Quinax;
• Taufon;
• Cataracts;
• Bestoxol.

Such eye drops at the initial stage of cataract contain a large amount of vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids and other useful elements that help slow down the clouding of the lens, improve metabolism. Additionally, vitamin-mineral complexes and preparations can be prescribed to cleanse the body of the toxin and normalize metabolic processes (Fakovit). Conservative treatment of a complicated form also involves the use of physiotherapy that activates metabolic processes, wearing Sidorenko glasses and following a diet that requires eating more productsrich in vitamin C.

Surgical treatment

What to do if you have vision problems? Drug therapy slows the progression of pathology, but does not restore vision, so in most cases it is ineffective. The only in the right way treatment of the initial stage of eye cataract is surgery. Ultrasonic phacoemulsification is usually performed - a less traumatic operation performed under local anesthesia. The doctor makes a tiny incision (2-2.5 mm), through which a special probe is inserted, softening the clouded areas of the lens with ultrasonic waves. The affected area is removed and replaced with a special intraocular lens that returns normal vision to the patient.

Cataract Phacoemulsification

Is an operation necessary for an initial age-related cataract?

Initial age-related cataracts are the most common type of disease diagnosed in almost every person aged 65 years or older. If there are no contraindications for the operation, then, at the request of the patient, the doctor performs surgery. In the absence of the possibility of surgical treatment, the initial age-related cataract is treated with the help of conservative therapy, which slows down the course of the pathological process.

Folk remedies

Is cataract treated? To slow the progression of the disease, sometimes doctors recommend the use of alternative medicine, which in combination with conservative therapy can bring nice results. With initial cataract, you can use the following folk remedies:

1. Dilute a dessert spoon of honey into a glass of boiled warm water, mix well. The resulting product is instilled into the eye 2 drops 4 times a day. This procedure needs to be carried out for 14 days, after which a break of 10 days is made and the course is repeated again.
2. Freshly squeezed onion juice in equal proportions mix with honey and bury the resulting mixture in the eye 2 drops 2 times a day.
3. A dessert spoon of honey is added to a glass of water, after which the mixture is boiled for 5 minutes. In this water you need to moisten the gauze and make a compress on the eyes for 5 minutes.
4. Dry potato sprouts (2 tablespoons) need to pour 200 ml of vodka and leave to infuse for 14 days. After this, the mixture should be filtered and drunk 1 teaspoon three times a day before meals for 2-3 months.