Cataracts

Also known as: cataract, age-related cataract, lens opacity, nuclear sclerotic cataract, cortical cataract, posterior subcapsular cataract, congenital cataract, traumatic cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear crystalline lens of the eye. It may affect one or both eyes and usually develops gradually, causing blurred or hazy vision, glare, halos, reduced contrast, faded colour perception, frequent spectacle-prescription changes and difficulty seeing at night. Cataracts are usually painless. [S1][S2] Age-related change Ultraviolet exposure Diabetes mellitus Smoking Long-term corticosteroid exposure Previous eye injury, inflammation or surgery Radiation exposure Congenital or inherited causes Diagnosis requires an eye examination, usually including visual-acuity testing, slit-lamp examination and assessment of the retina and optic nerve. Reduced vision must not automatically be attributed to cataract because glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment and other disorders may coexist. [S1][S3] Cataract surgery, in which the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens, is the only established treatment that removes a cataract. Timing depends on functional impairment, safety, occupational needs, coexisting eye disease and patient preference. [S2][S4] There is no reliable evidence that acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, supplements, eye exercises or topical complementary products can dissolve, reverse or remove a cataract. TCM care must therefore be framed only as adjunctive support for general wellbeing or coexisting symptoms and must never delay optometric or ophthalmological assessment or indicated surgery. [S5]