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Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye that causes vision loss and potentially blindness if untreated. They typically progress slowly and affect both eyes, though usually one eye is affected earlier than the other. As people age, proteins in the lens may clump together and cloud areas of the lens. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making vision more difficult. Cataracts are responsible for 48% of world blindness, affecting around 18 million people, and remain a major cause of vision impairment globally.

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Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye that causes vision loss and potentially blindness if untreated. They typically progress slowly and affect both eyes, though usually one eye is affected earlier than the other. As people age, proteins in the lens may clump together and cloud areas of the lens. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making vision more difficult. Cataracts are responsible for 48% of world blindness, affecting around 18 million people, and remain a major cause of vision impairment globally.

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italliit
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INTRODUCTION OF THE DISEASE Acataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope,varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Early inthe development of age-related cataract the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of blue colours. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. The condition usually affects both eyes, but almost always oneeye is affected earlier than the other.A senile cataract , occurring in the elderly, is characterized by an initial opacity in the lens,subsequent swelling of the lens and final shrinkage with complete loss of transparency.Moreover, with time the cataract cortex liquefies to form a milky white fluid in a Morgagnian cataract , which can cause severe inflammation if the lens capsule ruptures and leaks. Untreated,the cataract can cause phacomorphic glaucoma. Very advanced cataracts with weak zonules areliable to dislocation anteriorly or posteriorly. Such spontaneous posterior dislocations (akin tothe historical surgical procedure ofcouching) in ancient times were regarded as a blessing fromthe heavens, because some perception of light was restored in the cataractous patients.The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil (see diagram). It works much like a camera lens. Itfocuses light onto the retina at the back of the eye, where an image is recorded. The lens alsoadjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away. The lens is madeof mostly water and protein. The proteins are arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it.But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens.This is a cataract. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making itharder to see.Age-related cataract is responsible for 48% of world blindness, which represents about 18million people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In many countries surgicalservices are inadequate, and cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness. As populations age,the number of people with cataracts is growing. Cataracts are also an important cause of lowvision in both developed and developing countries. Even where surgical services are available,low vision associated with cataracts may still be prevalent, as a result of long waits for operations and barriers to surgical uptake, such as cost, lack of information and transportation problems.Researchers suspect that there are several causes of cataract, such as smoking anddiabetes. Or, it may be that the protein in the lens just changes from the wear and tear it takesover the years.

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