Age-related cataract (ARC) is the leading cause of blindness in the world, particularly in developing countries. In contrast, cataract surgery has become the most frequent surgical procedure in people aged 65 years or older in the Western world, causing a considerable financial burden to the health care system. The development of cataracts is mainly an age-related phenomenon, although socioeconomic and lifestyle factors appear to influence their development, e.g. smoking has been found to directly... more
Generally, cataract surgery is more prone to complications if the cataract is more advanced. The cataract becomes harder or denser as it matures, and more difficult to remove. However, the critical issue is whether the benefit of the surgery is worth the risk. The decision to proceed with cataract surgery should be based on the person’s visual needs. When the cataract is still mild, it is certainly easier and safer to remove. However, the benefit may be low because the vision is not significantly... more
A gene associated with the formation of age-related cataract, a leading cause of blindness, has been identified by scientists. The EphA2 gene encodes an enzyme that plays a role in the repair of damaged proteins in the eye. Expression of the EphA2 gene decreases with age, which means damaged proteins can clump together and cause the eye lens to become cloudy, resulting in obscured vision, according to the study in the July 31 issue of the journal PLoS Genetics . The international group of researchers,... more
Almost everyone who lives a long life will develop cataracts at some point. As more Americans live into their 70s and beyond, we all need to know a few cataract basics: risks and symptoms, tips that may delay onset, and how to decide when it is time for surgery, so good vision can be restored. August is Cataract Awareness Month, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages Americans to know their risks, especially people who have diabetes, smoke, or have a family history of cataract. “Cataract... more
The eye is a vital organ that converts the reflected light from an object into neuron signals and feed them to the brain for processing and identification of the object. The eyes can suffer from various conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, conjunctivitis, cataract, astigmatism, glaucoma, sty, infection and tumors. The eyelids blink several times a minute to clean the eyes and keep them moist, using the secretion of tears from the lacrimal gland. The lids also have a fast reflex action to protect... more
