Cataract Grading: When cataract Surgery is Needed?

Early signs of cataracts include- the appearance of glares or halos around sources of lights such as lamps, bright sunlight or headlight., unable to see properly at night, cloudy, blurry vision for particular distances, sudden and frequent changes in vision prescription, able to see double or multiple versions of an object or unable to figure out the brightness of some colors. 

The above are the signs and symptoms of cataract in the nascent stage. But how to decide when it is the appropriate time to consider surgery? Read this article to know the stages of cataract and when it is the appropriate stage to consider surgery.

What are the stages of cataracts?

Generally, there are four stages of cataracts. Experts recommend that patients should get in touch with an eye surgeon as soon as they experience the symptoms. The surgeons practicing in eye clinics of Delhi explain that detection of cataracts in the early stages can cure the problem fast and decrease the risk of complete loss of vision. 

• Early cataract- 

This is the first stage of cataract. Individuals with early cataracts have a lens that is clear but they are unable to focus on objects placed at a particular distance. Moreover, they are also incapable of focusing again when that particular object is placed nearer to them. Some of the common symptoms that people complain about are putting extra strain while looking, mild clouding of the vision, extreme sensitivity to light, and instances of seeing glares or halos around lights. As this is an early stage of cataract, ophthalmologists may recommend wearing spectacles with anti-glare and magnifying lenses after proper diagnosis and physical examination. 

• Immature cataract-

In the second stage of cataract, the opacity of the lens increases as proteins start to cloud it. The cloudiness is restricted only to the center of the lens in this stage. Due to protein growth in the middle of the lens, the pupil projects a shadow on the lens when the eye is illuminated from the side. Patients with immature cataracts complain of blurred vision, double vision, and dimmed vision. 

The opacity can sometimes restrict vision noticeably. It takes several years for the cataract to worsen from this stage and become mature. Doctors suggest thinking of an appropriate treatment option in this stage. Also, you need to go for regular eye check-ups as the prescription continually changes in this stage. 

• Mature cataract- 

The lens appears milky, whitish or amber in color when light is projected on it. The protein grows all over the lens resulting in the complete opaqueness of the lens. The iris is unable to project any shadow any longer. As the whole lens becomes opaque, it has a noticeable effect on the vision, and eventually, the quality of life. The dependency and reliance of the patient on other individuals increase making them feel embarrassed. The only possible treatment option available to treat this stage of cataract is surgery. 

• Hypermature cataract- 

The lens inside the eye completely hardens. By the last stage of cataract, the opaqueness becomes completely severe that results in significant vision loss. As the condition has reached a severe stage, it all the more becomes difficult to remove. People with hypermature cataracts have lenses that are completely covered with white spots and may likely suffer from additional eye disorders. It is not advisable that the cataract should reach the hypermature stage. 

How fast do cataracts mature?

The speed of cataract progression depends on a couple of factors. Generally, the following factors affect the rate of progression-

• Medical conditions such as diabetes, deficiency of important vitamins, etc.
• External factors such as exposure to harmful UV rays, or surroundings.
• Taking particular medications such as steroids 
• Suffering from a pre-existing eye problem such as iritis, any injury to the eye, glaucoma, etc. 

However, the rate of progression differs from individual to individual as the anatomy of each individual is different. For instance, some people may take a longer time to move from immature to mature stage of cataract which may not be the case for another set of people. 

Why you should not delay treatment of cataracts?

According to the Center for Disease Control, cataract is one of the major contributors for loss of vision around the globe. With time and age, the condition only deteriorates which means the vision gradually worsens. In some cases, the deterioration can be at such a severe stage that the individual may lose his or her vision altogether. 

Furthermore, eye surgeons explain that gradual vision changes can affect the quality of life and have an effect on the psychology of the patient. The possible explanation for the same is that people with decreased vision have to increase their reliance on others to complete simple activities that make them feel that they are not independent anymore. In some cases, people also report symptoms of anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with an eye doctor as soon as one experiences symptoms of cataract. 

What is the treatment of cataracts? 

The only treatment option available for cataracts is surgery. The surgery primarily involves removing the cloudy lens after making an incision on the cornea and implanting an intraocular lens. The whole procedure can be achieved with two techniques-

• Phacoemulsification
• Laser-assisted cataract surgery

Both procedures are performed under the influence of local anesthesia and completed within 20 mins. The laser-assisted cataract procedure offers several benefits over the conventional method including faster recovery, lesser risk of swelling, and more precision.

Conclusion 

Cataract develops in four stages. People with mature cataracts should consider undergoing surgery to remove the cloudy lens without any further delay. Delaying the treatment of cataract and its progression into the hypermature stage can eventually lead to the development of additional eye disorders such as glaucoma that can result in complete blindness. Therefore, people in their 40s and 50s suffering from cataracts should go for regular check-ups. Get in touch with an experienced ophthalmologist to know the stage of cataract you are suffering from.