Once we hear the word “cataract”, the stigma of the preventable blindness creeps into our minds. It’s like a disease where we are meant to get once we get older.Some of us think that we are still young and far ahead from getting cataracts. You might want to change the way you think after reading this.Knowing about cataracts and cataract surgery as early as possible is beneficial for yourself or even your loved ones such as your parents and grandparents.
Cataracts in its early stage are not dangerous but it can lead to blindness if left untreated. The “good thing” about cataract is that it can be removed and it is actually the most common eye surgery in the world!
What you learn today might not only be useful for you but it can also be helpful to your loved ones too! Without further due, here are the important things you should know about Cataract and Cataract surgery in Singapore.
So What are Cataracts?
A cataract is a condition where the protein in your eyes clump together and cause the eye lens to become cloudy. This spacification disturbs the light coming through the lens on to the retina. That is why someone with cataract experiences some level of distorted visions. The affected lens is located just behind our Iris, the colored part of the eye. Over time, cataract becomes denser if it left untreated and it can lead to total blindness.
How Can One Get Cataracts? Can I Prevent It from Happening?
The main and most common contributing factor to cataract is age. Why Because as we get older, the cells in our body become less flexible including the cells of our eye lens. This condition increases the chance of the protein in our lens to clumps together.
Besides age, there are also other non-age causes of cataracts such as eye injury. overused steroid medication and even health issues such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“But I am still young. I am far ahead from getting cataract”
Just because cataracts are usually an age related disease, it doesn’t mean thatwe should not do anything about it in our younger days. Those of use who are still in our younger days can still develop healthy eye habits in your younger days to help to slow down the development of cataracts in your eyes.
When they say fruits and veggies are great for your health, believe it! Healthy food that contains antioxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Omega-3 helps you to fight free radicals in your body that trigger cataract formation.
While cataract is unpreventable, we can start healthy habits and educate ourselves early to slow down the development of cataracts. In fact, now that you know about cataracts and the importance of monitoring your eyes’ health, you might want to consider getting regular eye check-ups to make sure that your eyes are always in good and healthy condition.
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