About this topic
A cataract is the clouding of the lens in your eye. The lens is the clear part of the eye. It normally helps to focus light or images on the back part of your eye. Your lens is made up of water and protein. When the protein clumps, it starts to cloud. This causes a yellowish brown tint. The light that passes through a lens with a cataract is not clear. This results in blurred images seen by the eye. ‚
Treatment may be done based on how many problems you have seeing. If cataracts are less serious or do not affect eyesight, no treatment may be needed. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Avoid eye irritants like dust and wind.
- Take extra care of your eye. Wash your hands before touching your face. Wipe away any eye drainage that may come out with a clean tissue. Do not rub or press your eye. Avoid soapy water in your eye.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
There are no drugs to treat a cataract. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity if your eyesight is blurry. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat lots of green leafy veggies, fruits, and other foods with vitamins A, C, and E. This will help protect your eye lens from cataract formation. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Your eyesight could get worse.
- You may need to have surgery.
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wear ultraviolet (UV) protected sunglasses and hats to block UV rays of the sun.
- Avoid too much exposure to x-rays and gamma radiations.
- Quit smoking. If you have problems quitting, ask for help.
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Get a full eye exam regularly. If you are aged 60 or older have one at least once a year.
- If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar levels. Ask for help from your doctor and dietitian.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Change in eyesight
- Increasing pain in the eye
- Problem seeing like double vision, flashes of light, floaters, eye pressure, or limited eyesight field
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my eye.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have problems seeing or my eyesight or pain becomes worse.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Ophthalmology ‚
http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/cataracts.cfm ‚
National Eye Institute ‚
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp ‚
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/cataract/whatisacataract/01.html ‚
National Organization for Rare Diseases ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/448/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚