Medikal Teknik Mart 2019

March / Mart 2019 43
Therefore, we find it very important for the Ministry
of Health, Ministry of National Education, Turkish
Ophthalmological Association and other NGOs to
conduct vision screenings in great cooperation.”
What is a cataract?
A cataract is one of the most common eye diseases
associated with aging and is one of the leading causes of
vision loss*1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that
nearly 19 million people are bilaterally blind from
cataracts in the world. These figures indicate that
almost half of all global cases of blindness are caused
by cataracts* 2.
A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens of
the eye that affects vision. While most cataracts occur
due to normal aging, other causes such as exposure
to radiation, steroids, diabetes and eye trauma can
accelerate the development of cataracts*3.
As a cataract develops, the lens becomes increasingly
cloudy and allows less light to pass through, which
makes seeing more difficult* 4.
In whom do astigmatism and cataracts occur?
Astigmatism can occur in individuals of any age in the
society. A cataract is a disease that can develop with the
risk factors such as advanced age, diabetes, smoking,
eye trauma and long-term exposure to ultraviolet light.
Is surgery the only solution for cataracts?
The only treatment of cataracts is the surgical removal
of the natural lens that has lost its function and
transparency and replacement of it with an artificial
intraocular lens.
What should be considered after cataract surgery?
The healing process after cataract surgery is short.
There is nothing specific to be done, other than using the
prescribed drops regularly and for the specified time in
order that the surgery for cataracts be successful.
*1 Prevent Blindness. Vision Problems in the U.S. Report.
http://www.visionproblemsus.org/cataract.html
Accessed April 2017.
*2 The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
Cataract.
https://www.iapb.org/knowledge/what-is-avoidable-blindness/
cataract/
Accessed April 2018.
*3 American Optometric Association (AOA). Causes of
Cataract.
http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-andvision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/
cataract?sso=y
Accessed May 2017.
*4 Cleveland Clinic. Cataracts.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/cole-eye/diseasesconditions/hic-cataracts
Accessed August 2015.