My father's cataract surgery was done: So quick and painless!

Today when I went to an eye hospital for the cataract surgery of my father I was eager to know everything about cataract and cataract surgery. I had a small discussion with the doctor and other staff members of the hospital and came to know that it is a very natural process to develop cataract with age and nowadays the surgery also has become so quick and painless that the procedure typically is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or other care facility. I gathered some more information about cataract and its surgery from various sources and here sharing with you.
Aging is the most common cause of cataracts, that happen after around the age of 40. When normal proteins in the lens start to break down which causes the lens to get cloudy. Over the age of 60 usually, start to have some clouding of lenses.

Cataract formation

Other than age there are some more reasons to develop cataracts like heredity, diabetes, eye injury, long UV exposures and long-term use of corticosteroids. Most age-related cataracts develop gradually. Other cataracts can develop more quickly, such as those in younger people or those in people with diabetes.

What are cataracts?

There are some common symptoms of cataracts like having blurry vision, seeing double, being extra sensitive to light, more light needed while reading, seeing bright colors as faded or yellow instead.

Cataract Surgery

In cataract surgery, the lens inside the eye that has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL) to restore clear vision.
Most modern cataract procedures involve the use of a high-frequency ultrasound device that breaks up the cloudy lens into small pieces, which are then gently removed from the eye with suction. An uncomplicated cataract surgery typically lasts only about 15 minutes. The procedure typically is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or other care facility.
This video explains how surgery is carried out.

• Protecting our eyes from sunlight is the best way to do this. Wearing sunglasses that screen out the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light rays.
• Avoid using corticosteroid medications for any length of time.
• Regular eye checkup, it helps to detect any early sign of cataract development.
• Taking a diet rich in beneficial nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins and, minerals that can help reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
• Keeping diabetes under control.
• Quit smoking and alcohol.

• Are you aware about cataract?