Washington [US], June 15 (ANI): People who have genetic variations associated with lowering LDL cholesterol similar to statin medications appear to have an increased risk of developing cataracts and having cataract surgery, according to new research. The research was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA).
Full Answer
What factors increase the risk of developing cataracts?
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing a cataract: 1 Aging. 2 Diabetes (cataracts can form earlier if you have diabetes). 3 Family history of cataracts at a young age. 4 Years of excessive exposure to the sun and UV rays. 5 Smoking. 6 ... (more items)
What are the goals of nursing care for cataracts?
Nursing Care Planning & Goals. Main Article: 2 Cataracts Nursing Care Plans. The major goals for the patient include: Regaining of usual level of cognition. Recognizing awareness of sensory needs. Be free of injury. Identifying potential risk factors in the environment.
What are the treatment options for cataracts?
The management of cataracts depends on their size and the clinical symptoms that are present. When a cataract is identified, safety measures are instituted to prevent potential accidents due to vision loss. In some cases, cataract surgery may be necessary to correct the problem.
What is a cataract?
Cataract is defined as opacity within the clear lens inside the eye that reduces the amount of incoming light and results in deterioration of vision. Natural lens is a crystalline substance and a precise structure of water and protein to create a clear passage for light.
What factors increase the risk of the development of cataracts?
Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:Increasing age.Diabetes.Excessive exposure to sunlight.Smoking.Obesity.High blood pressure.Previous eye injury or inflammation.Previous eye surgery.More items...•
Which condition is the most common cause of cataracts in a patient?
Most cataracts are age-related — they happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons — for example, after an eye injury or after surgery for another eye problem (like glaucoma).
What are three risk factors for cataracts?
Cataract risk factors Diabetes. Long-term use of steroids. Past eye surgeries. Family history of cataracts.
Which patient is at the highest risk for the development of cataracts?
The primary risk factor for cataracts is age. Once a person hits the age of 60, his or her risk of developing cataracts increases dramatically with each passing year. Approximately half of all adults aged 75 and older are affected by cataracts to some degree. Age-related cataracts cannot be avoided, unfortunately.
What is cataract and how is it treated?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Cataracts are treated by removing the cloudy lens of the eye with surgery. Sun protection and quitting smoking may help prevent cataracts. Cataracts are common in older people.
What causes glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease caused by damage to the optic nerve, which leads to visual field loss. One of the major risk factors is eye pressure. An abnormality in the eye's drainage system can cause fluid to build up, leading to excessive pressure that causes damage to the optic nerve.
What diseases are associated with cataracts?
Cataracts are now associated with syndromes such as Cohen syndrome, Degos disease, and Dubowitz syndrome. A recent study suggests earlier mortality in middle-age patients undergoing cataract surgery. Cataract is the main cause of blindness and visual impairment throughout the world.
Which patient finding Below is associated with the development of cataracts?
4. Which patient finding below is associated with the development of cataracts? The answer is C: cloudy, hazy vision.
Does hypertension cause cataracts?
Studies have shown mixed results regarding the effect of hypertension on the formation of cataracts; some have shown a definite risk, while others have not. However, as with obesity and diabetes, there are many other health problems that can arise from this condition. Therefore, it is best controlled.
Can cataract surgery be done outside the eye?
Any type of surgery inside the eye can lead to a cataract. This does not include surgery performed completely outside or around the eye, such as removal of excess skin in the eyelid, or repair of a droopy eyelid.
Is cataract progression a risk factor?
This is a clear risk factor associated with cataract progression, and is independent of diabetes mellitus. In addition, it puts you at risk of developing a myriad of other medical problems and is best avoided for long-term good health.
Does hormone replacement therapy increase the risk of cataract surgery?
In addition, this study found that increased duration of treatment was associated with an increased risk of the need for cataract surgery. This effect was also increased when associated with alcohol intake greater than one drink per day.
Does smoking cause cataracts?
Smoking is clearly associated with cataract formation and progression. People who smoke are at increased risk of requiring cataract surgery at younger ages than non-smokers. In addition, smoking leads to many other health problems, including heart disease and cancer.
Does diabetes mellitus cause cataracts?
All patients with diabetes mellitus are at risk of early formation of nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts. The better your diabetes is controlled, the lower your risk of cataract progression. In other words, strict glucose control yields a lower risk of progression, as is true with many other complications of diabetes.
What are the factors that contribute to cataracts?
Cataracts progress in stages, but the development of the condition depends on age, exposure to UV experienced over a lifetime, genetic factors and some lifestyle factors, such as smoking, high alcohol consumption or nutritional deficiencies. People with diabetes are at higher risk, as are those who take certain prescription medicines, ...
What are the stages of cataracts?
What are the Different Stages of Cataracts? 1 Early cataract: The very beginnings of cataract disease. The lens is still clear, but the ability to change focus between near and far vision has begun to be compromised. You may see the beginnings of blurring or cloudiness, glare from lights may begin to bother you and you may feel increasing eye strain. 2 Immature cataract: Proteins have started to cloud the lens, making it slightly opaque, especially in the center. At this point, your ophthalmologist would recommend new glasses, anti-glare lenses and increased attention to the light, such as that needed to read properly. Progression of an immature cataract can take up to several years. 3 Mature cataract: The opaqueness has increased to such a point that it can appear milky and white, or amber in color. It has spread to the edges of the lens and has a considerable effect on vision. At this point, your ophthalmologist would ask you how quality of life and daily activities are affected. If the cataract seriously affects your life, removal surgery may be recommended. 4 Hypermature cataract: The cataract has become very dense, impairing vision to a significant extent, and has hardened. At this point it would impair vision to an advanced stage. It can be more difficult to remove. If not treated, hypermature cataracts can cause inflammation in the eye and/or increased pressure within the eye, which can cause glaucoma.
How long does it take for a cataract to progress?
Progression of an immature cataract can take up to several years.
What is the name of the cataract that takes over the nucleus?
If the cataract is located in the center of your lens, it’s called a nuclear cataract. When located in the area that surrounds the nucleus, it’s called a cortical cataract. When located in the back, outer layer of the lens, ...
What is posterior capsular cataract?
When located in the back, outer layer of the lens, it’s called a posterior capsular cataract. Early symptoms can worsen as a cataract increases. Early cataract: The very beginnings of cataract disease. The lens is still clear, but the ability to change focus between near and far vision has begun to be compromised.
What is the lens behind the pupil?
In each eye, you have a very thin lens behind your pupil and iris. The lens operates much like a camera lens would; it focuses what you see, monitors the amount of light to let in and transitions between near and far vision as you change your view.
What color is cataract?
Mature cataract: The opaqueness has increased to such a point that it can appear milky and white, or amber in color. It has spread to the edges of the lens and has a considerable effect on vision. At this point, your ophthalmologist would ask you how quality of life and daily activities are affected.
What are the secondary effects of cataracts?
Secondary effects. Complicated cataracts occur as secondary effects in patients with uveitis, glaucoma, or retinitis pigmentosa, or in the course of a systemic disease, such as diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, or atopic dermatitis. Drug or chemical toxicity. Toxic cataracts result from drug or chemical toxicity with prednisone, ergot alkaloids, ...
Why do cataracts develop in elderly patients?
Senile cataracts develop in elderly patients, probably because of the degenerative changes in the chemical state of lens proteins. Genetic defects. Congenital cataracts occur in neonates s genetic defects or as a sequela of maternal infections during the first trimester. Foreign body injury.
What happens if a cataract is dense?
Density. If dense, the cataract severely blurs vision. Cataract in the periphery. A cataract in the equator or periphery of the cortex does not interfere with the passage of light through the center of the lens.
How many people have cataracts?
Cataracts affect nearly 20.5 million Americans who are 40 years of age or older, or about one in six people in this age range. By 80 years of age, more than half of all Americans have cataracts. According to the World Health Organization, cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world.
What is the most common eye disorder?
One of the most common eye disorders is cataract. A cataract is a lens opacity or cloudiness. On visual inspection, the lens appear gray or milky.
Where do cortical cataracts occur?
A cortical cataract involves the anterior, posterior, or equatorial cortex of the lens. Posterior subcapsular cataracts. Posterior subcapsular cataracts occur in front of the posterior capsule.
How long do you wear a protective eye patch after cataract surgery?
To prevent accidental rubbing or poking of the eye, the patient wears a protective eye patch for 24 hours after surgery, followed by eyeglasses worn during the day and a metal shield worn at night for 1 to 4 weeks. Expected side effects.
Why do cataracts occur?
They can also occur because of blunt trauma or as a complication of diabetes mellitus.
Why do you wear an eye patch after a cataract surgery?
After the procedure, the patient will wear an eye patch to provide protection, minimize eye movement, and decrease discomfort. The nurse will teach the patient how to administer postoperative eyedrops, making sure to demonstrate sterile technique.
What is the position of the head of the bed during cataract surgery?
He or she also positions the head of the bed at a 30 to 45 degree angle and places the patient on his or her back. This positioning promotes drainage to prevent any increase in intraocular pressure.
What medication is used to dilate Tom's eye?
In preparation for surgical correction of Tom's cataract, the healthcare provider orders a medication that will help dilate the eye. Mydriatic. Mydriatic medications help to dilate the eye. It is Tom's understanding that he will receive eye drops to paralyze the ciliary muscles so the eye will remain dilated.
How long after cataract surgery can you sneeze?
The patient will receive detailed postoperative instructions for the 24 to 48 hour period following the surgery. These usually include not rubbing or touching the eye, avoiding eye strain, preventing constipation, and avoiding sneezing, coughing, bending over, vomiting, or lifting objects heavier than 5 pounds.
What is the best way to detect cataracts?
Yearly eye examinations. Independent of any risk factors, evidence-based practice suggests that yearly eye exams are the best way to detect developing cataracts and other areas of concern. John, a 50-year-old male, arrives at the clinic for a vision screening.
Can cataracts cause blurred vision?
They may have difficulty with regular daily activities because of these effects on vision. In order to determine whether a cataract is present, the nurse should assess the patient's visual acuity as well as his or her reports of blurred vision, double vision in one eye, and/or difficulty with night vision.
