Cataract is a cloudiness in the lens of the eye that can cause vision problems in patients. Cataracts can also be defined as causing damage to the eye lens of tunicate and myopic eyes. Lens of the eye becomes cloudy and light can not penetrate. So that this situation will worsen one’s vision and can become blind if not treated.

Are causes of Cataracts?

In many cases, the cause of cataracts is unknown. But cataracts usually occur in old age and could be lowered. Cataract formation process accelerated by environmental factors, such as smoking or other toxic materials. On the other, there is the thought that cataracts can be caused by eye injuries, metabolic diseases (eg diabetes), and the effects of certain drugs (eg corticosteroids).

Any types of cataract?

Cataracts kongenitalis is found in babies at birth (or some time later). Cataract is a disease kongenitalis descent (inherited in an autosomal dominant). Or can also be caused by congenital infection, such as German measles and metabolic disease, such as galaktosemia.

Are risk factors of cataract kongenitalis?

a. Inherited metabolic disease
b. Cataracts in the family history
c. Viral infection of the mother when the baby is still in the womb.

Cataracts in adults is usually caused due to the aging process.
Cataracts in adults can be grouped into:
a. Immatur cataracts: lens still has a clear section
b. Mature cataracts: lens is completely opaque
c. Cataracts hipermatur: there are parts of the lens surface that has seeped through the lens capsule and can cause inflammation of other eye structures.

Most of the eye lens becomes a bit murky after someone reaches the age of 60 years.
Most of the patients experienced similar changes in both eyes, although changes in one eye may be worse than the other eye.
Many cataract patients who experienced only a mild visual impairment and did not realize that they suffer from cataracts.

Is it factors affecting the occurrence of cataracts?

a. blood calcium levels are low
b. diabetes
c. long-term use of corticosteroids
d. various inflammatory diseases and metabolic diseases.
e. environmental factors (trauma, radiation, ultraviolet light).

Are Symptoms Cataracts?

All rays entering the eye must first pass through the lens. Therefore, every part lenses that block, deflect or scatter the light can cause vision problems.
Weighing visual impairment depends on the location and maturity of the cataract.

Cataracts develop slowly and do not cause pain accompanied by vision problems that arise in stages.
Visual impairment can be:
- Difficulty seeing at night
- See the circle around the light or the light was blinding my eyes
- Decrease in sharpness of vision (even during the day).

Other symptoms are:
- Frequently changing eye glass
- Double vision in one eye.

Sometimes cataracts can cause swelling of the lens and increased pressure inside the eye (glaucoma), which can cause pain.

How to Diagnose Cataracts?

Known diagnosis based on symptoms and results of eye examination.

Diagnostic tests are usually done:
• standard eye examination, including slit lamp examination with
• USG eyes in preparation for cataract surgery.

How to Treat Cataracts?

The only treatment for cataracts is surgery.
Surgery is performed if the patient can not see well with the help of glasses to perform everyday activity.
Some patients may feel better eyesight simply by replacing the glass eyes, bifokus glasses stronger or use a magnifying lens. However, if the cataract does not interfere with usually no need for surgery.

Cataract surgery consists of lifting the lens and replacing them with artificial lenses.
1. Appointment lens
There are 2 kinds of surgery that can be used to lift the lens:
- Surgery ekstrakapsuler: by leaving the lens capsule removed.
To soften the lens thus making it easier lens through a small incision, use high-frequency sound waves (fakoemulsifikasi).
- Surgery intrakapsuler: lens capsule and removed. At this intrakapsuler surgery is rarely performed.
2. Replacement lenses
Patients who had undergone cataract surgery typically will have artificial lenses to replace lenses that have been raised.
This artificial lens is a plastic sheet called intraokuler lenses, lens intraokuler usually inserted into the lens capsule inside the eye.

Cataract surgery is often performed and generally safe. After the surgery are rare infection or bleeding in the eye that can cause serious vision problems.
To prevent infection, reduce inflammation and speed healing, for several weeks after surgery are given eye drops or ointment.
To protect the eyes from injury, sufferers should use glasses or protective goggles made of metal until the surgical wound completely healed.

How Prevention of Cataracts?

Primary prevention is to control diseases associated with cataracts and avoiding the factors that accelerate the formation of cataracts.

Using sunglasses when outside the room during the day can reduce the amount of ultraviolet rays that enter the eye.

Quitting smoking can also reduce the risk of cataracts.