Five signs and three myths you need to know about cataract

Cataracts are among the most common causes of vision loss and a leading cause of blindness among a huge population. Cataract refers to a build-up of protein in your eyes that prevents light from properly passing through the lens. This leads to a blurred, clouded vision, which eventually worsens over time. If your cataracts are incredibly severe, a cloudy grey film might be visible across your eye while looking in the mirror.

Fortunately, Clear Vision offers world-class cataract surgery in Mumbai to help patients regain their lost, blurry vision. However, this treatable condition is often misunderstood, as there are many myths around it. Here are the top five misconceptions and facts about cataracts.

Myths And Facts About Cataract and Surgery Myth 1: Cataract affects only the aged

Fact: Cataracts are common in old age, but they can occur at any age. In some cases, symptoms may not come to light until years. In cases where cataracts developed at an early age, they may be congenital, hereditary, or a result of ocular or peribulbar trauma. It can also occur in some systemic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, nutritional deficiencies, stress, etc.

Myth 2: Cataract surgery is risky, and you’ll not be able to see correctly for a long time

Fact: Cataract surgery is very safe and is performed by ophthalmologists all the time. It is usually performed in an outpatient clinic and doesn’t require a hospital stay or a long convalescence period. Though it may take a few days for your vision to return completely, recovery is usually smooth and relatively painless.

Myth 3: Cataracts get worse if you use a computer or read in dim light

Fact: Cataracts do not develop due to excess screen time. If you already have cataracts, you might notice the cloudy effect more while carrying out close-up work or using your eyes to read or focus in dim light. It will not make cataracts worse. Researchers are still not sure why some people develop cataracts more quickly and others less. Still, there is no evidence to suggest that doing focused work affects the progression of the condition.

Myth 4: Cataract can grow back

Fact: Cataract is characterized by cloudiness of the eye’s clear lens. It happens when the transparent proteins in the lens lose their elasticity and clump together. When a person undergoes cataract surgery, this cloudy lens is replaced with a new artificial lens, and hence, it cannot return.

Myth 5: You can get special eye drops to dissolve cataracts

Fact: Cataracts are not a substance that gets dissolved. Some pharmaceutical companies sell eye drops that claim to reduce or get rid of cataracts altogether. Do not fall for such products. A cataract is an irreversible process with or without approved eye drops to date. The only way to treat them is to remove your lens surgically and replace it. Your doctor will provide you with eye drops to use during your recovery, but it will only help reduce inflammation, prevent infection, soothe your eyes and keep them lubricated.

To learn more about cataract surgery in Santa Cruz or to get safe, effective cataract surgery in Mumbai, connect with our Clear Vision team today.

Five Signs and Three Myths You Need to Know About Cataract