Cataracts

Gambaran umum

A cataract is when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, like looking through a foggy window. This makes your vision blurry, colors look faded, and lights seem too bright or glary.

Yes, cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss in older adults. More than half of people over 65 have some degree of cataract.

Cataracts mainly affect older adults, but they can also occur in younger people, including children, especially after an eye injury or due to certain medical conditions.

Gejala

Gejala umum

• Blurry or cloudy vision, like looking through a dirty window.
• Colors look faded or yellowed.
• Difficulty seeing at night or in low light.
• Glare or halos around lights, especially oncoming headlights when driving.
• Frequent changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription.

Gejala pada anak-anak

• A white or cloudy appearance in the pupil (the black part of the eye).
• Poor vision that does not improve with glasses.
• Eyes that do not line up or seem to wander (strabismus).
• Shaky or jiggly eyes (nystagmus).

Gejala pada lansia

• Gradual vision changes over months or years.
• Needing brighter light to read or do close work.
• Trouble seeing at night or driving after dark.
• Sensitivity to glare and bright sunlight.

Penyebab

Penyebab utama

• Aging – the lens naturally becomes less flexible and more cloudy over time.
• Injury to the eye – a blow, cut, or puncture can cause a cataract.
• Certain medications, especially long-term use of steroids (like prednisone).
• Medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Faktor risiko

• Being over 60 years old.
• Smoking or long-term exposure to cigarette smoke.
• Heavy drinking (alcohol).
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight without eye protection.
• Having a family history of cataracts.
• Previous eye surgery or injury.
• Certain health problems like diabetes or obesity.

Kapan harus ke dokter

Segera temui dokter jika:

• Sudden vision loss or severe eye pain – call your local emergency number right away.

Buat janji temu rutin jika:

• If you notice gradual changes in your vision, such as blurriness, difficulty reading, or trouble seeing at night.
• If you find that you need brighter light to do daily tasks.
• If you have a medical condition like diabetes and notice vision changes.

Diagnosis

An eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) will do a thorough eye exam to check for cataracts and measure how much they affect your vision.

Tes yang mungkin dilakukan

• Visual acuity test – reading letters on an eye chart.
• Dilated eye exam – eye drops widen your pupils so the doctor can see the lens and the back of your eye.
• Slit-lamp exam – a microscope with a bright light to examine the front of the eye, including the lens.

Apa yang diharapkan saat janji temu

The exam is painless. You may have your pupils dilated, which can make your eyes sensitive to light for a few hours. The doctor will discuss your results and any next steps, such as whether you need treatment or can wait.

Perawatan

For early cataracts, changes to your glasses, brighter lighting, and anti-glare sunglasses may help you see better. When cataracts make everyday activities difficult, surgery is the only effective treatment.

Perawatan mandiri di rumah

• Use brighter lights for reading and close work.
• Wear anti-glare sunglasses outdoors.
• Magnifying lenses can help with reading small print.
• Limit night driving if glare bothers you.
• Keep your eyeglass prescription up to date.

Perawatan medis

No medications can cure or reverse cataracts. The only treatment is surgery, where the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens). This is usually a safe and quick procedure done under local anaesthetic, and most people see much better afterwards.

Kapan operasi dipertimbangkan?

Surgery is recommended when your cataracts affect your ability to do daily activities such as reading, driving, watching TV, or recognising faces. You and your doctor can decide the right time based on your needs.

Hidup dengan kondisi ini

Many people with early cataracts manage well by making small changes, like using brighter lights, taking care when walking on uneven surfaces, and avoiding driving at night if glare is a problem.

Tips gaya hidup

• Wear a hat and sunglasses to reduce glare from the sun.
• Use a magnifying glass for hobbies or reading.
• Ask your optician about anti-glare coatings on your glasses.
• Consider using a brighter, non-glare lamp next to your chair.

Diet dan olahraga

A healthy diet rich in antioxidants (like vitamins C and E, and lutein) may support overall eye health. Foods such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, and nuts are good choices. Regular exercise and managing conditions like diabetes can also help protect your eyes.

Kesehatan mental dan kesejahteraan emosional

Vision changes can be frustrating and may affect your mood or confidence. It is normal to feel worried or down. Talking to your doctor, family, or a counsellor can help. Remember, most vision loss from cataracts can be reversed with surgery.

Pencegahan

You cannot completely prevent cataracts, but you may reduce your risk by protecting your eyes from the sun (wear UV-blocking sunglasses), not smoking, limiting alcohol, and keeping conditions like diabetes well controlled. Regular eye exams can help catch changes early.

Program skrining

Routine eye exams are important for everyone, especially after age 60. Even if you have no symptoms, an eye exam can check for cataracts and other eye problems.

Komplikasi

Jika tidak diobati

• Gradual worsening of vision that can make daily tasks very hard.
• Increased risk of falls and accidents because of poor vision.
• In very rare cases, if left untreated for many years, the cataract can become advanced and cause inflammation or glaucoma, which may damage the eye permanently.

Prospek jangka panjang

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful operations worldwide. The outlook is excellent – most people regain good vision and can return to their normal activities. Even if you have other eye conditions, surgery can still improve your sight.

Cari dukungan

Organisasi internasional

• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness ↗
• Prevent Blindness ↗

Organisasi lokal

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) ↗ · United Kingdom

Saluran bantuan

Tautan eksternal membuka situs web pihak ketiga. Ruqelo Health tidak bertanggung jawab atas konten eksternal. Mencantumkan organisasi tidak berarti dukungan.