Causes and Treatment for Cataract

Cataract is a developmental and degenerative opacity of the crystalline lens, commonly aged related.

Risk Factors are:

• diabetes
• prolong corticosteroid
• trauma
• congenital

Manifestation:

• blurring of vision
• glare
• no pain
• distorted or absent red reflex in direct opthalmoscope
• most accurately diagnosed using slip lamp examination
  

Management: Surgical Removal

1. Intracapsular Cataract Extraction - removing the lens capsule
2. Extracapsular Cataract Extraction - removing the lens and anterior portion of the lens capsule, leaving the posterior capsule intact. More commonly performed due to less complications

Pre-Operative Care:

• prepare for surgery
• prophylactic antibiotic eye drops
• preparatory mydriatics
• pre-operative teachings

Post-Operative Care:

• patient discharged after surgery, with eye patch (usually removed in the morning)
  
• protective shield at night and glasses at day time to protect from accidental rubbing of the eye
• flat, low-fowler's or on un-operative side for 3-4 weeks
• post-operative eye drops