Dr. Vinod Gupta

One of the most common ailments that affect elders the most is cataract. Cataract develops gradually and can occur in one or both eyes and if not treated in time can cause blindness. Most cataracts are not visible to the naked eye, but in some cases, a dense cataract can make the pupil appear white. A cataract can be defined as a dense, cloudy build up of protein masses on the eye lens. This obstructs the light falling on the retina and does not allow the retina to form a clear image.

Advancing in age is one of the most common causes of cataracts. Along with this, there are several other factors that play a role in the development of cataracts as well. These include smoking,exposure to ultraviolet radiation, long term use of steroids, trauma, radiation therapy and diabetes. Anything that triggers an overproduction of chemically altered oxygen molecules in the body can increase your risk of suffering from this condition. Hypertension and a family history of cataracts can also put you at a higher risk of developing cataracts. Poor nutrition or a diet that is deficient in antioxidants can also put you at a high risk of suffering from this condition.

Cataracts can be categorized on the basis of where and how they develop in the eye. This categorization is based on location:

1. Nuclear Cataract: These develop in the middle of the lens and turn the center of the eye yellow. Nuclear cataracts are typically associated with aging.
2. Cortical cataract: These develop around the edges of the nucleus and are wedge shaped. Gradually, spokes emitted from these wedges work themselves towards the center of the eye.
3. Posterior capsular cataract: These are among the faster growing cataracts and develop at the back of the lens.They are also known as subcapsular cataracts. Cataracts triggered by diabetes or the prolonged use of steroids usually fall in this category.

Categorization based on how they develop:

• Congenital cataract: These are present at birth or develop within the first year of a baby's life. Congenital cataracts are rare.
• Secondary cataract: These are triggered as a side effect of medications or diseases like glaucoma and diabetes. Prolonged use of steroids like prednisone can also lead to the development of such cataracts.
• Traumatic cataract: Cataract  that is developed as a result of an injury to the eye is known as traumatic cataracts. They have a very slow rate of development.
• Radiation cataract: It develops as a side effect of radiation therapy used to treat cancer.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

There is a great deal of confusion, wrong beliefs and stigma attached to having or using glasses.

Why does one need to use glasses?

Simply to make the rays from objects of interest fall on Retina so that the objects are clearly seen. If eyes are long (myopia), the focus may fall in front of the retina causing blurred image. Appropriate minus glasses will bring the focus on the retina. If eyes are short (hypermetropia), the focus may fall behind the retina. Appropriate plus lenses bring the focus back on the retina. If eye curvatures are more or less (astigmatism), appropriate cylindrical glasses will help focus the image on the retina.

Having long, short or differently curved eyes is a natural variation like some people are long, some are short, some are pear-shaped, some are hour glass, etc. 

So don't worry if you have glasses. In most people, it is not a disease or is not indicative of any eye "weakness" as most people tend to believe. Roughly about 50% of people have glasses and they are as normal as the other 50% who may not have glasses. Best of best people in the world from all the fields have glasses like in sports- Clive Lloyd, Anil Kumble, in show-biz Aishwariya rai, Sushmita Sen, top scholars, top politicians, top doctors and the list is long.

Simply use glasses or contact lenses as you wish and as suitable to your lifestyle, work, age. You may also undergo LASIK after establishing real need and safety for you. But don't think you are curing anything because, in the first place, this is not a disease. Choosing one of these options is a customized process, best done with the help of your trusted doctor and not by what your friend, neighbour or advertisements say. Each of these options - glasses, lenses, surgery- has a deep science which is dynamic.

It is also good to get your glasses assessed by an Eye Doctor (Ophthalmologist) or a qualified Optometrist. You should not rely on just any autorefractor by an untrained optician. Optician's job is to make glasses, not assess them.