A disease characterised by the clouding of the lens of the eye, which usually affects older people, can cause different visual symptoms in different people. This is because there are several types of cataract (or cataract). When the lens starts to lose its translucency, the affected person usually starts to see as if through a dirty glass.
Types of cataracts by cause of formation
Cataracts are now the second most common eye disease in the world. It is assumed that almost every person over the age of 70 suffers from this disease to some degree. Hundreds of thousands of people suffer from cataracts in Poland, but due to the frequent underestimation of its symptoms, including undiagnosed disease entity and low prevention of eye diseases, these figures are certainly underestimated. As we have already mentioned, cataracts can have many types. This eye disease can be divided according to the source of its origin:
- Congenital cataract - occurs from birth.
- Senile cataract - associated with the progressive age of the patient, is the most common type of cataract.
- Zaćma wtórna - powstaje w wyniku niektórych schorzeń.
- Post-traumatic cataract - penetrating or blunt trauma to the eyeball.
The above types indicate that cataracts can appear not only at birth, but become an unpleasant consequence of another disease, an accident or accompany the ageing process.
In order to talk fully about cataracts, it is also necessary to point out another distinction. We can also divide the types of cataract by the location of the lesions.
- Cortical cataract - involves the periphery of the lens and begins as a whitish opacity at the lens margins. Patients with this type of disease experience hypersensitivity to light and its dispersion. It is only when the cortical cataract is more advanced and occupies the centre of the lens that vision becomes blurred.
- Nuclear cataract - begins with opacification in the centre of the lens. In the first stage, patients may have improved close-up vision. Sometimes they begin to read without glasses, even if they previously needed them for many years. As the disease progresses, vision becomes blurred, colour vision deteriorates and images appear double.
- Posterior subcapsular cataract - develops in the posterior part of the lens. Patients with this type of cataract develop deterioration of vision very quickly. The image becomes hazy and blurred. Particularly „near” vision is severely impaired, but also looking into the distance on a sunny day or in bright light is sometimes problematic. At night, on the other hand, patients may see envelopes around light sources (halo effect) and light scattering.
The above distinctions reinforce what a heterogeneous eye disease cataract is. Therefore, you should always consult your condition with an ophthalmology specialist, who will determine the source of the disease and offer you the appropriate treatment. Which symptoms are a signal to visit a specialist?
How do you know when a cataract is starting?
- As a result of the slow thickening and hardening of the lens, it becomes cloudy. This in turn results in light either not being able to reach the back of the eye or the rays being distorted. Patients may notice in this case:
- pogorszenie ostrości wzroku - obrazy są zamazane, zmętniałe, przyciemnione, widzimy "jak przez mgłę",
- double vision,
- colours become faded,
- night vision is significantly impaired,
- discomfort or pain when looking at bright light,
- seeing a "halo" around the image,
- difficulties in determining distance,
- reading problems.
Such symptoms should be the reason to visit an ophthalmologist. Once you have noticed these symptoms in yourself, you should not delay the examination. Why is early diagnosis so important?
Cataracts are a disease that develops slowly and painlessly, hence patients sometimes underestimate their symptoms. However, untreated cataracts can lead to important complications and, over time, can even result in irreversible loss of vision, i.e. blindness. According to the WHO, this disease is one of the most common causes of blindness in the world. It is therefore worth visiting an eye clinic at least once a year to monitor your health.
Is cataracts treatable?
Tak, zaćmę można skutecznie leczyć. Niestety niemożliwe jest leczenie tej choroby przy pomocy środków farmakologicznych. Pacjent powinien poddać się operacji zaćmy. Podczas zabiegu lekarze na miejsce zmętniałej soczewki umieszczają nową przejrzystą. Co więcej, może zrobić to zarówno prywatnie, jak i skorzystać z operacji wykonanej w ramach NFZ. Poprzedzić powinno ją gruntowne badanie kwalifikujące do zabiegu, podczas którego specjalista określi rodzaj choroby i orzeknie, czy pacjent może poddać się zabiegowi usunięcia zaćmy.
Cataract surgery does not require a hospital stay. We can perform it in a medical centre. What's more, the procedure itself is painless and takes a short time. After just a few hours, the patient can go home.
How is the cataract removal surgery performed?
The doctor administers a local anaesthetic in the form of drops. He or she then makes a gentle incision in the lens to remove the cloudy lens using ultrasound. This is followed by the insertion of a new artificial lens and, finally, the preservation of the eye. And that's it. No stitches, no pain.
What's more, in many clinics it is possible to perform the procedure on one eye or use a binaural simultaneous operation. Moreover, even binaural cataract surgery does not increase the risk of complications. Instead, it reduces the stress that often accompanies intraocular surgery.
It is important that the patient follows the doctors' recommendations after the operation, including the following:
- Do not remove the dressing and do not expose the surface of the eye for at least 24 h,
- refrain from taking long baths, do not expose the operated eye to water or cosmetics,
- nullifying increased physical activity,
- sleeping on the back or on the side of the unoperated eye.
Our body needs to get used to our new vision after cataract surgery. Let's be patient and sensible during recovery to optimise the results of treatment.
Which lenses are reimbursed by the NFZ 2023?
Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia refunduje jedynie jeden rodzaj soczewki - jednoogniskową sferyczną. Tego rodzaju zabieg jest polecany dla osób starszych lub nieaktywnych zawodowo. Osobom, które prowadzą intensywny tryb życia, na co dzień w pracy muszą wykazywać się doskonałym wzrokiem lub są np. sportowcami, zaleca się, aby wybrali soczewki wieloogniskowe, bardziej zaawansowane, które są dostępne za odpowiednią dopłatą. M.in. soczewki zwijalne to nie tylko lepsze przyleganie do torebki soczewki, ale także mniejsze ryzyko powstania secondary cataract.
Obecnie podczas zabiegu zaćmy można zastosować także różnego rodzaju implanty, które przy okazji mogą skorygować wadę wzroku lub prezbiopię (starczowzroczność).
As we can see, today many cataract surgeries involve comprehensive treatment of not only the cloudy lens, but the possibility of additional correction during a single procedure.
Cataract surgery is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure. So it's worth considering paying extra for modern lenses to gain optimal vision in just one treatment.
Do you see straight away after cataract surgery?
The question posed in the headline above is a common query from patients who have qualified for the procedure. Undoubtedly, the great advantage of artificial lens implantation surgery is that after the procedure, the improvement in vision is immediate. However, it is necessary to wait about four to six weeks for full acuity and a return to perfect vision. Also, we can sit behind the wheel of a car a few weeks after the operation. Regardless of whether the poorer vision was caused by a posterior subcapsular cataract, a cortical cataract or a nuclear cataract.
An equally important aspect of cataract surgery is worth emphasising. This is extremely important, especially in the life of an adult who is active professionally and socially.
The deterioration of vision as a result of a cloudy lens causes not only physical but also psychological problems. Living with cataracts is not the easiest thing to do. Difficulties with sharp vision, not only in the later stage, make it impossible to perform professional duties, but for many they are the cause of limited social activity. That is why cataract surgery can significantly increase the patient's daily comfort and keep their professional activity at an excellent level.
Cataract problems are primarily associated with old age. And although nuclear cataracts and cortical cataracts are the most common types of cataracts associated with ageing, posterior subcapsular cataracts, which also affect young people, deserve attention.
Posterior subcapsular cataract - causes
This cataract results from the migration of lens epithelial cells that migrate towards the back of the eye. It is characterised by an extremely rapid course. After only a few weeks, patients experience a sudden deterioration of vision. There is also a glare effect during exposure to bright light, which is due to the narrowing of the pupil.
It can be the result of inflammation, ocular trauma, corticosteroid use and also as a result of exposure to ionising radiation.
Posterior subcapsular cataract - treatment
Posterior subcapsular cataracts are treated like other types of cataracts. By undergoing eye surgery, during which specialists will remove the opacity, replacing it with an intraocular lens. Its rapid course requires the cataract to be removed quickly. Interestingly, during the surgery, the posterior capsule, which will become the base for the synthetic lens, is also polished.
Firstly, prevention of cataracts
Perfect vision is not a luxury today, and we do not need to be afraid of cataract treatment. State-of-the-art technology is available to everyone. Different types of cataracts can be easily removed in just a few minutes with surgery. Nuclear cataracts, cortical cataracts or subcapsular cataracts should not be underestimated by us. That is why we invite you to Blikpol ophthalmology offices for annual check-ups or when you notice a worrying deterioration of your eyesight. Our specialists will not only help you with the issue of cataracts, but also provide you with professional and comprehensive ophthalmological advice.
