Cataracts develop slowly and you may not know that you have them until you find difficulty in reading or driving at night. If the cataract affects the central portion of the lens, it causes blurry vision and the centre of the lens becomes cloudy and yellowish. This is called a nuclear cataract. They occur as a part of the ageing process and they are common in humans. A nuclear cataract can be treated through surgery, where the clouded lens will be replaced with an artificial lens.
How Do I Know If I Have a Nuclear Cataract?
Nuclear cataracts are common in older adults. They mainly affect distance vision more than near vision. The symptoms develop slowly and they can be as follows:
- Blurry and filmy vision
- Difficulty while driving at night and identifying signboards
- Difficulty in reading from a distance
- Difficulty in seeing objects in bright light
- Double vision, occasionally
- Inability to bear headlight vision at night
- The eye lens becomes thick, hard, and appears brown in colour
- The colours look dim and altered
- Differentiating between colours become difficult
- Sensitivity to sunlight
The vision worsens further as cataracts keep progressing. Hence, it is important to visit an eye specialist as soon as you experience any of these signs.
Why Do Nuclear Cataracts Occur?
As mentioned earlier, a nuclear cataract develops as a part of the ageing process. The eye lens contains protein fibers and water that are arranged well and the light passes easily. As you get older, new fibers develop at the edges of the lens and the old fibers get pushed towards the center of the lens. As a result, the center becomes cloudy, and dense, and may look yellowish. The proteins start clumping and they scatter the light instead of allowing it to pass through it. Hence, you find it difficult in seeing things clearly.
The chances of developing a nuclear cataract increase if you have the following:
- Diabetes
- Underlying health issues
- Smoking
- Use of steroids
- Exposure to UV light
- Eye injury
How are Nuclear Cataracts Diagnosed?
The doctor looks carefully at your eyes to identify a nuclear cataract. The doctor can easily view the cloudy and yellowness of the nucleus while examining your eye. There are several tests that can be conducted for diagnosing nuclear cataracts such as the following:
- Dilated eye exam: During this test, eye drops are used to widen or dilate the pupil. This helps the doctor to view the interior of your eye clearly.
- Slit lamp test: This test makes use of a microscope like device along with a light to view the cornea, iris, lens, and the nucleus of the lens.
In some cases, the doctor can easily identify the changes in your eye before you notice them. This shows the importance of regular eye check-ups. Early diagnosis of the condition can help treat them early without causing serious vision problems.
How are Nuclear Cataracts Treated?
You can use strong eyeglasses, or magnifying lenses to deal with your signs of nuclear cataracts. You can also feel better with the following:
- Use a bright light for reading
- Avoid driving at night
- Use anti-glare glasses while going out
But the best and ultimate solution is to undergo cataract surgery. This surgery has the highest success rate and the recovery time is also faster. During the procedure, the doctor removes the clouded lens and is replaced with a new artificial lens. The new lens lets the light pass through it without any hurdles. Eventually, your vision improves and your quality of life also improves. The procedure takes around 20 minutes only and you can go back home on the same day.
Have Signs of a Nuclear Cataract? Visit Think Eye Hospital Today
If you or your loved one have any signs of a nuclear cataract, do not neglect an eye test and visit Think Eye hospital right away. Think Eye hospital is one of the Best Eyecare Centers in Hyderabad. We have a team of experienced and skilled ophthalmologists who can treat any kind of cataract. We use the latest tools and equipment to ensure the safety of our patients. Do not delay and book your appointment with one of our top eye specialists today.
