Can cataracts be treated without surgery?

Written by Hu Shu Fang
Ophthalmology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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In the early stages of cataracts, if one's vision is still greater than 0.3 and they feel it does not affect daily life, it is possible to initially observe without immediate intervention. If the cataracts have significantly worsened vision and greatly impacted the quality of life, and the severity of the cataracts is considerable, then it is advisable to undergo cataract surgery at an appropriate time. Currently, cataract surgery is very advanced, and the only treatment option for cataracts is surgical intervention, as medication is not very effective.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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What department should I go to for cataracts?

The department for cataract consultations is ophthalmology. Various factors such as aging, genetics, local nutritional disorders, immune and metabolic abnormalities, trauma, poisoning, radiation, etc., can cause metabolic disturbances in the lens, leading to the denaturation of lens proteins and resulting in opacity, known as cataracts. At this time, light is obstructed by the cloudy lens and cannot be projected onto the retina, causing blurred vision. This condition is commonly seen in individuals over forty years old, and the incidence increases with age. The disease can also be divided into congenital cataracts and acquired cataracts.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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The main symptoms of cataracts

The main symptoms of cataracts include: First, a decline in vision, which is the most obvious and significant symptom of cataracts. Second, a decrease in contrast sensitivity, particularly noticeable at high spatial frequencies in cataract patients. Third, changes in refractive power. Nuclear cataracts lead to increased lens power due to an increase in the lens and refractive index, causing nuclear myopia. Fourth, monocular diplopia or polyopia due to uneven refractive power across different parts of the lens, similar to the effect of a prism, resulting in monocular diplopia or polyopia. Fifth, glare. Sixth, changes in color perception. Seventh, varying degrees of visual field defects.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Causes of cataracts

Various causes, such as aging, genetics, local nutritional disorders, immune and metabolic abnormalities, trauma, poisoning, radiation, etc., can lead to metabolic disorders of the lens, causing the denaturation of lens proteins and resulting in cloudiness; this is called cataract. Cataracts can be divided into congenital and acquired. Congenital cataracts, also known as developmental cataracts, are divided into anterior polar cataracts, posterior polar cataracts, nuclear cataracts, and total cataracts. Acquired cataracts are divided into senile cataracts, complicated cataracts, traumatic cataracts, metabolic cataracts, radiation cataracts, and those related to medications and poisoning.

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Written by Tao Yuan
Ophthalmology
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Cataract Causes

Cataracts can be caused by many reasons, with the following common scenarios: First, due to aging factors, as age increases, the proteins in the lens of the eye gradually degenerate, leading to cloudiness and reduced transparency of the lens, ultimately resulting in cataracts. Second, cataracts can be caused by eye trauma, where a significant impact can damage the structure of the lens. Third, they can be caused by chronic inflammation within the eye, such as uveitis or iridocyclitis, where the inflammation leads to the degeneration of lens proteins. Fourth, long-term use of steroid medications can affect the metabolism of lens proteins, thereby leading to the development of cataracts.

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Written by Peng Xi Feng
Ophthalmology
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Cataract is what?

All sorts of reasons, such as aging, genetics, local nutritional disorders, immune and metabolic abnormalities, trauma, poisoning, radiation, etc., can cause metabolic disorders in the lens, leading to the denaturation of the lens proteins and resulting in opacity known as cataract. At this point, the light is obstructed by the opaque lens and cannot be projected onto the retina, causing blurred vision. It is commonly seen in people over the age of forty, and the incidence increases with age. This disease can be divided into congenital cataracts and acquired cataracts. Congenital cataracts are also known as developmental cataracts, and there are six types of acquired cataracts.