Cataract refers to clouding of the lens of the eye. People with cataracts cannot see clearly and for them, it is difficult to read or drive. Cataracts mostly develop slowly and do not disturb eyesight early on but with time, it eventually affects the vision of an individual.
Refractive errors of eyes include nearsightedness or farsightedness. Studies have shown that the annual incidence of cataract blindness in India is about 3.8 million. Cataracts develop as a natural part of the ageing process.
Additionally, it is found that refractive errors, including nearsightedness or farsightedness, accounts for 70.6 percent of early visual impairment cases in India. Before learning about the treatment of cataract and refractive errors, let us understand the factors that develop these issues.
To know more about it, OnlyMyHealth interacted with Dr Sri Ganesh, Chairman and Managing Director, Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Bangalore.
There are several factors, which contribute to the development of cataracts:
Age
Cataracts primarily occur as a result of age-related changes in the lens of the eye. Dr Ganesh said, “As individuals grow older, the proteins in the lens can gradually break down and clump together, leading to clouding or opacity of the lens.”
Genetic Factors
According to Dr Ganesh, certain genetic factors may make individuals more susceptible to developing cataracts. If anyone in the family has had cataract, there may be an increased risk of developing cataracts for you.
Also read: Cataract In Old Age: Measures Young People Can Take Now To Reduce Their Risk
UV Radiation
Excess exposure to Ultraviolet radiation from sun or other sources can elevate the risk of getting cataract. UV rays can cause oxidative stress and damage the lens protein. This can lead to the development of cataracts.
Diabetes
Dr Ganesh said, “People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts due to the long-term effects of elevated blood sugar levels on the lens.”
Smoking and Drinking Alcohol
Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking can increase the risk of developing cataracts. The oxidative stress caused can contribute to lens damage and cataract development.
The causes of refractive errors include, growing of eyeball length either too long or too short, problems with the shape of cornea, and ageing of lens.
Also read: Foods To Keep Your Eyesight Sharp And How To Avoid Cataract?
Single Procedure To Remove Cataracts And Refractive Errors
Can a single procedure remove cataracts and correct refractive errors? Responding to this positively, Dr Ganesh said, “A refractive cataract surgery can correct many cases of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The innovative procedure shows a paradigm shift in how cataract surgeries are performed today, combining the correction of both cataract and refractive errors in the eye.”
Explaining further, he said, “The surgical procedure involving the dual correction of refractive errors and cataract not only enhances the precision and effectiveness of cataract surgery, but also opens new doors for patients seeking optimal visual outcomes in one surgery. The combination of FEMTIS MPlus IOL and automated capsulotomy through femtolaser cataract surgery sets a new standard for cataract-refractive treatment in India. With such advanced features, we cater to the utmost satisfaction for the patient and better clinical outcomes.”
“Following standard cataract surgery, patients often require corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses to fix refractive errors, such as near-sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. The objective of a refractive cataract procedure is to successfully eliminate the need for prescription eyeglasses with full high quality vision correction after cataract removal.” Dr Sri Ganesh added.