What are eye cataracts ?
What is an Eye Cataract ?
Cataracts, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Below you can find out what exactly are they, and how can they be prevented.
Causes of Cataracts:
Our eyes contain a delicate, transparent lens crucial for vision. With age, the water and protein cells in this lens begin to degrade, forming clumps that cloud the lens—a condition known as cataracts. This clouding can result in blurred vision and, eventually, blindness.
Identifying Cataracts:
While cataracts are commonly associated with aging, they can also occur in children from birth, because of eye injuries, or due to conditions like diabetes. Any alteration in vision should prompt medical attention. Look out for symptoms such as:
- Clouded, blurred, or dim vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Needing brighter light for reading
- Seeing halos around lights
- Frequent changes in prescription for glasses or contact lenses
- Fading colors
- Double vision in one or both eyes
Preventing Cataracts:
Simple lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of cataracts. Maintain a nutritious diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables to promote eye health. Individuals with diabetes should manage their blood sugar levels effectively, as they are more susceptible to cataracts.
Avoiding smoking and excessive sunlight exposure is crucial, as these factors can accelerate vision deterioration and increase the likelihood of developing cataracts, especially among older adults. Investing in high-quality sunglasses for protection against sunlight—even in winter—and scheduling regular eye exams with an optometrist are essential preventive measures.
Global Treatment of Cataracts:
In developed countries, cataracts can be effectively treated through brief and safe surgical procedures, typically lasting less than 45 minutes.
However, in developing nations like Mali, Niger and Pakistan, cataract surgery can be prohibitively expensive and limited to specialized clinics. Consequently, millions of individuals in impoverished communities continue to suffer from vision impairment, leading to isolation and economic hardship.
Our Solution:
Our Eye Cataract program provides a patient in Africa or Asia with a crucial cataract removal surgery and the opportunity to see clearly again. From initial check ups to surgeries, Muslim Hands is adamant to gift patients in developing countries a chance to be able to live a normal life again.
Supporting our initiatives such as our Eye Camps can transform lives by providing free sight screenings and treatment in accessible locations, ensuring that those most in need receive vital care. Your donations can help save sight and alleviate the burden of blindness for vulnerable populations.
