Managing Early Cataracts for Optimal Eye Health
A Cataract is an eye condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
It is a progressive clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to blurry or hazy vision.
While the condition is typically associated with aging, it can occur at any age.
Cataracts that develop early, typically under 50, are referred to as Early Cataracts (EC).
According to WHO, around 51% of cases of blindness are the result of Cataracts.
Continue reading to learn more about the condition in detail.
Cataracts in younger people
Most types of cataracts are age-related and seen in people above 40.
However, some types can also develop in young adults (below 40) and newborns.
Below are some of the conditions usually seen in the younger age group.
Congenital Cataract
Cataracts that are developed in newborn babies are Congenital Cataracts.
The condition is rare, affecting 20,000-40,000 children worldwide every year.
Genetic mutations account for the majority of cases of Congenital Cataracts.
The formation of Cataracts in infants is usually found during routine examinations before the baby leaves the hospital.
EC in newborns can affect the development of the eye-brain connection, leading to vision loss.
Thus it is essential to find and correct these immediately.
Secondary Cataracts
Secondary cataracts are caused by radiation exposure, certain medications, or medical conditions like diabetes.
An analysis by Radiation Epidemiology Branch suggests that low-dose ionizing radiation exposure can induce it.
Additionally, regular use of glucocorticosteroids can cause protein structure modifications (Oxidation), forming clouds in the eye.
Traumatic Cataracts
Traumatic cataracts (TC) occur as a result of an injury to the eye, such as penetration or blunt force trauma.
Usually, mild eye injury heals on its own, but more serious injuries need a proper course of action.
However, Cataracts can sometimes form several years after the injury. Thus, you must visit your doctor for any kind of eye injury.
Causes of early cataracts
An early cataract is not as frequent as an age-related cataract.
It is usually secondary to intraocular inflammation, eye trauma, or medical conditions in young age groups.
Some of these causes include:
Eye trauma
A serious injury to your eyes may result in traumatic Cataracts.
A data collected by the World Health Organization estimates that up to 1.6 million people lose sight due to eye trauma.
Most traumatic injuries can result in swelling, but the clinical course depends on the trauma mechanism.
Thus, you must visit the nearest emergency department after any eye injury to get proper treatment.
Medical conditions
A common cause of EC is poorly controlled medical conditions.
These medical conditions include,
- Hypertension
- Eczema
- Diabetes
Hypertension can induce the structural alteration of proteins in lens capsules, exacerbating Cataract formation.
Atopic Dermatitis, a type of Eczema, can increase the risk of cataracts in younger patients.
It can develop on your eyelids and around your eyes, causing itchy, swollen, and red eyes.
As per a study, habitual rubbing of the face due to AD may play a role in developing Cataracts.
A person with diabetes can also develop the condition due to high sugar levels in the aqueous humor.
An enzyme in the eye lens converts this sugar into sorbitol, a type of carbohydrate.
Sorbitol can affect both cells and proteins, resulting in Cataracts.
Cataracts may develop in newborns if the mother contracts diseases, such as Measles, Influenza, or Rubella, during pregnancy.
Other causes
Aside from the causes mentioned earlier, there are a few others that may increase your chances of developing it.
High alcohol consumption can significantly increase the risk of the condition.
This is because heavy drinking induces the enzyme Cytochrome in the liver.
Metabolism of this enzyme produces free radicals leading to the saturation of proteins in the eye.
Smokers also have a higher chance of forming cataracts than non-smokers.
Toxins in cigarette smoke can cause cell oxidation, including those in the eye lens.
Signs of Early Cataracts
Most types of cataracts develop slowly and do not affect your eyesight in the beginning.
But with time, it can increase vision problems, particularly at night.
In children, the condition often results in the lazy eye (Amblyopia) and Strabismus, a cross-eyed condition.
Other signs and symptoms of cataracts include,
- Sensitivity to light
- Frequent changes in eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions
- Seeing halos around lights
- Fading or yellowing of colors
- Double vision in a single eye
At first, cloudiness in your vision due to cataracts may affect only a small part of the eye’s lens, making you unaware of any vision loss.
As the cataract develops, it clouds more of your lens, distorting the light passing through it. This may lead to more noticeable symptoms.
Therefore, it is crucial to have regular eye exams to detect early cataracts and other eye conditions.
Treatments
Surgery is the only way to treat Cataracts.
Since the condition develops slowly, you may not need it right away.
At first, using stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help make your vision better for a while.
However, if vision problems start to interfere with your daily activities, you may need cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery
Depending on the severity, there are several kinds of operations for cataracts.
However, they all have one thing in common; your surgeon replaces your eye’s cloudy lens with an artificial one.
The procedure can be different depending on your age.
You’ll get local anesthesia to numb your eyes if you are an adult. You’ll be awake, but you won’t feel anything.
If your child has cataracts, the doctor will give general anesthesia, so they won’t be awake or feel anything during the procedure.
Surgery usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, and for most people, recovery goes smoothly.
However, recovery time depends on the type of surgery.
As with any surgery, cataract surgery also has some risks.
But in general, vision gets much better after a few days, and you can go back to your normal life.
Takeaway
A Cataract is an eye condition that can blur your vision and cause blindness.
The condition is called an early cataract if you have it at a younger age (below 40).
There are several types of EC, depending on what causes them.
However, regardless of type, its symptoms are the same. These include sensitive eyes, blurry vision, and fading of colors.
Fortunately, surgery is available to treat this condition completely.
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