What do you need to know?
- An involutional cataract is an opacity of the lens resulting from eye disease or trauma, different from senile cataracts.
- Objawy to zamglenie widzenia, pogorszenie widzenia w nocy, nadwrażliwość na światło, dwojenie obrazu i wyblakłe kolory.
- Treatment mainly consists of surgery to remove the cloudy lens and implant an artificial intraocular lens.
- See an ophthalmologist at the first symptoms and have your eyes checked regularly, especially if you have diabetes and inflammatory eye disease.
Zaćma wikłająca, znana również jako zaćma wtórna, jest szczególnym rodzajem zaćmy, która rozwija się w wyniku innych chorób oczu lub urazów. W przeciwieństwie do najczęściej występującej zaćmy starczej, zaćma wikłająca nie jest naturalnym efektem starzenia się soczewki oka. Powstaje ona zazwyczaj w wyniku chorób takich jak cukrzycowa retinopatia, zapalenie błony naczyniowej, urazy oczu lub długotrwałe stany zapalne. Zaćma wikłająca może rozwijać się w obu oczach, co powoduje stopniowe pogorszenie widzenia.
One of the main risk factors is diabetic retinopathy, często powiązana z cukrzycą. Stan zapalny, który rozwija się w oku, przyczynia się do zmętnienia soczewki, co prowadzi do cataracts. Osoby z cukrzycą są szczególnie narażone na rozwój tej formy zaćmy, dlatego regularne kontrole okulistyczne są kluczowe.
What are the symptoms of an intractable cataract?
Symptoms of intractable cataracts can resemble those associated with senile cataracts, but are usually more intense due to the underlying disease. The most common symptoms include:
- Blurred vision - the patient experiences a gradual deterioration of visual acuity, resulting in difficulties with reading, writing and recognising faces.
- Problems with night vision - People affected by intractable cataracts may notice that their vision deteriorates especially in low light conditions.
- Increased sensitivity to light - patients often complain of difficulty seeing in harsh light, which can lead to frequent squinting.
- Image disorientation in one eye - some patients experience double vision, which makes daily life very difficult.
- Colour deterioration - colours may appear more faded or less saturated.
How to recognise an intractable cataract in an elderly person?
Intricate cataracts can be difficult to diagnose, especially in older people, as their symptoms often overlap with other problems associated with ageing vision. One of the key diagnostic tests is ophthalmological examination using a slit lamp, which allows an accurate assessment of the condition of the lens and the identification of any opacities.
Early symptoms such as deterioration of vision or visual haze, powinny stanowić sygnał alarmowy i skłonić pacjenta do wizyty u okulisty. Im wcześniej zostanie postawiona diagnoza, tym lepsze są rokowania na skuteczne leczenie. Regularne badania wzroku, szczególnie u osób starszych i chorych na cukrzycę, mogą zapobiec dalszemu rozwojowi zaćmy wikłającej.
What are the options for treating an intractable cataract without surgery?
In the early stages of intractable cataracts, doctors may recommend some non-surgical methods to improve vision, such as changing glasses or using special contact lenses. In some cases, reducing indoor lighting or wearing sunglasses can help alleviate light sensitivity.
Unfortunately, an intractable cataract does not regress on its own and its progression can only be delayed. When advanced lens changes begin to seriously affect a patient's quality of life, the only effective solution is cataract surgery.
What does surgery to remove an intractable cataract look like?
Operacja zaćmy wikłającej to jedna z najczęściej wykonywanych operacji okulistycznych na świecie. Zabieg polega na usunięciu zmętniałej soczewki i zastąpieniu jej intraocular lens. In most cases, the operation is carried out by phacoemulsification, which involves breaking down the cloudy lens using ultrasound and then removing it. After the procedure, an artificial lens is inserted to restore visual acuity.
It is worth noting that surgery for a complicating cataract can be more complicated than surgery for a standard senile cataract. Depending on the cause of the complication (e.g. diabetic retinopathy or uveitis), patients may need additional treatments before or after surgery. It is therefore crucial to choose experienced ophthalmologists who specialise in complex cases.
What are the complications after cataract surgery for an obstructive cataract?
As with any surgery, there is also a risk of complications in curative cataract surgery. Among the most common are:
- Secondary cataract - is an opacification of the posterior part of the lens capsule that can occur several months or years after surgery. Fortunately, treatment is quick and painless and is usually carried out with a laser.
- Retinal detachment - is a rarer complication that requires immediate surgical intervention.
- Eye infections - infections can occur after surgery, so the use of prescribed antibacterial drops is crucial.
- Eye irritation and inflammation - In some cases, patients may experience discomfort or inflammation after the procedure, which usually subsides after a few days of appropriate medication.
Can an incarcerating cataract cause pain and how to relieve symptoms?
Involving cataracts, unlike many other eye diseases, rarely causes direct pain. However, some of the diseases that lead to cataract enucleation can cause eye discomfort or pain, especially with inflammatory conditions such as uveitis. In such cases, anti-inflammatory treatment and the use of eye drops can help to relieve symptoms.
How long does it take to rehabilitate after an intractable cataract operation?
After cataract surgery for an intractable cataract, most patients experience an improvement in vision after just a few days, but full rehabilitation can take several weeks to several months. It is crucial to follow medical advice, such as using eye drops, avoiding heavy lifting and protecting the eyes from trauma and strong light.
During the recovery period, patients should visit their ophthalmologist regularly to monitor the progress of healing and ensure that there are no complications.
What is the prognosis after curative cataract surgery?
The prognosis after curative cataract surgery is usually very good, especially when the operation is performed by an experienced ophthalmologist. Most patients regain much of their lost visual acuity. However, it is worth bearing in mind that in the case of diseases such as diabetes, which can affect the retina, full recovery may be more difficult to achieve.
How to prevent intractable cataracts in older people?
Prevention of intractable cataracts mainly involves monitoring and controlling diseases that can lead to its development. Regular eye examinations, controlling blood sugar levels if you have diabetes and avoiding eye trauma can reduce the risk of developing this disease.
In addition, an adequate diet rich in antioxidants (e.g. vitamins C and E) can support eye health, although this is not a guarantee to avoid cataracts.
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