AGE-RELATED CATARACTS

TYPES

Age-related cataracts are classified into three types: nuclear sclerotic, cortical, and posterior sub–capsular. As a person ages, any of these three types can develop over some time.

 Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts– this is the most common type of age-related cataract. It happens as a result of hardening and yellowing of the lens over some time

Cortical Cataracts– known as the white opacity, or the cloudy areas, that develop in the lens cortex, which is in the outside edge of the lens

 Posterior Sub–capsular Cataracts– generally form a small opaque or cloudy area on the back surface of the lens. It is known as “sub-capsular” due to its form beneath the lens capsule, which is a tiny sac, that surrounds the lens which holds it in place.

SYMPTOMS

The common symptoms of age related cataracts may include:

• Cloudy and blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Colors seem to appear faded
• Hypersensitivity to glare
• Halos surrounding lights
• Experiencing double vision in the affected eye
• Often changes in prescription glasses

TYPES

Other common types of leg ulcer include:

• Arterial leg ulcers
• Diabetic leg ulcers
• Malignant leg ulcers
• Traumatic leg ulcers
• Vasculitic leg ulcers

Ulcers in the foot are usually caused by diabetes.

SYMPTOMS

Itching, pain, and swelling in the affected leg are characteristic symptoms of a venous leg ulcer.

Discoloration, hardening of the skin around the ulcer, and presence of a foul-smelling discharge may also be present when you have a venous leg ulcer.

If you have a venous leg ulcer, you may exhibit the following conditions:

• discoloration and darkening of the skin around the ulcer
• swollen ankles
• red, flaky, scaly and itchy skin on your legs
• swollen and enlarged veins on your legs
• hardened skin around the ulcer, which may make your leg feel hard
• a heavy feeling in your legs
• an unpleasant and foul-smelling discharge from the ulcer
• aching or swelling in your legs

Signs of an infection

Opportunistic pathogens could cause secondary bacterial infections due to the ulcer. 

Symptoms of an infected leg ulcer may include:

• a green or unpleasant discharge coming from the ulcer
• fever
• redness and swelling of the skin around the ulcer
• worsening pain
• an unpleasant smell coming from the ulcer

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye examination to check for cataracts and to evaluate your vision. This will include an eye chart test to check your vision at various distances and the use of tonometry to measure your eye pressure.

Other tests your doctor will perform will include:

• Sensitivenessto glare
• Perception of colors

TREATMENT

If you are not able to undergo or are uninterested in surgery, your doctor will help you on how to manage your symptoms. He or she might recommend more powerful eyeglasses, magnifying lenses, or sunglasses with anti-glare coating.

Surgery

Surgery is suggested when cataracts stop you from continuing your daily life activities. It is also performed when cataracts interact with the treatment of other eye problems.

• A surgical method, known as phacoemulsification– uses ultrasound waves to break the lens apart and remove the pieces
• Extra–capsular surgery– it includes removing the cloudy part of the lens through a long cut in the cornea. After the surgery, an artificial intraocular lens is placed where the natural lens was.

Surgery in removing a cataract is generally very safe and has a high success rate. Most people can go home after their surgery.