February 23, 2008
cataract
Posted by: Chaitanya : Category: EAR AND EYE
This is opacity of the lens which may be age-related or congenital,bilateral or unilateral.
In age-related catarct there is gradual development of lens opacity that usually develops during older age as the result of exposure to a variety of predisposing factors including:uv light,x-rays,cigarette smoke,diabetes mellitus,ocular trauma, uveitis, systemic drug therapy,e.g. Corticosteriods,chlorpromazine.
Congenital catarct may be due to genetic abnormality,e.g.downs syndrome,or maternal infection in early pregnancy,e.g.rubella.early treatment is required to prevent permanent blindness.
The extent of visual impairment depends on the location and extent of the opacicty.
