Cataract Awareness Month 2023: Cataract Lead cause for Avoidable Blindness in India, Things to Keep in Mind- Check Here

• Image Credit: Optima eye

• Jun 25, 2023 | Poonam Nath

Cataracts begin with some trouble seeing well in the distance but can quickly damage many aspects of daily life...

Digital Desk: Millions of people worldwide suffer from cataracts. It's time for everyone to realise that hazy or blurry vision, faded colours, and trouble seeing at night are all symptoms of a cataract developing.

According to Dr. Sandeep Buttan, Technical Lead at Sightsavers India's Eye Health & Health System Strengthening, "It is the 'age-related changes' in the lens inside the eyes that gradually impair vision. Starts with some trouble in distance vision but may soon impact all facets of daily life. The two eyes may be affected asymmetrically, making the person feel as though they have good vision even when one eye has a big cataract, but the other eye has a less developed one."

"Unoperated cataract is the leading cause of preventable blindness in India," says Dr. Buttan. Anyone can be affected, although people over 50 years old tend to show the most signs. Due to poor understanding and lack of access to services, women and other marginalised groups may unnecessarily continue to be blind.

Here are some points that one needs to keep in mind for not having cataracts: 

Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, extended sun exposure, and several drugs (steroids, etc.) have all been linked to an increased risk of cataract formation.

In the majority of instances, if performed on time, cataract surgery can restore lost eyesight.

Obstacles one can receive while taking care: 

Not having an understanding of progression pattern - the one suffering from cataracts won't think they will require therapy until it is too late. Well, now there's no need to wait for the cataract to mature anymore, thanks to developments in microsurgical procedures. Early surgery is advised for individuals suffering from cataracts.

Having Surgery Fear- Bad influence from near and close members may discourage everyone from volunteering. The operation is highly effective and fully safe when performed by qualified surgeons in conventional setups.

Surgery Fear in Women- They may require the assistance of another person when seeking the facilities and receiving treatment. The surgery might be done as a nursery procedure, or it could need a full day of hospitalisation.

Financial hurdles - The direct or indirect expense of care may be beyond the individual's or family's means. They are unaware of several government programmes, such as Ayushman Bharat and other state-sponsored health insurance schemes that provide free procedures at high-quality facilities.

It should be noted that encouraging people to go for frequent eye checkups to discover problems early will be very helpful to them. Distribute information in your community, hold educational activities, and emphasise the importance of eye health. Encourage loved ones to use sunglasses and caps to protect their eyes from damaging UV rays. 

Early intervention can restore vision and change lives, and it can also secure brighter futures for all cataract patients by raising community awareness.