Abstract

Short Review

Senile Cataract

Ragni Kumari*

Published: 02 February, 2024 | Volume 5 - Issue 1 | Pages: 001-007

Cataracts may be described as the opacity of crystalline lenses present in the eye. The translucent crystalline lens is a part of the human eye. It possesses all the physical characteristics of a biconvex lens. The eye’s lens performs similar functions to a camera’s lens. The lens directs light rays entering the eye to the retina’s sensitive layers. Any factor that increases the absorption of scattering of light by the lens reduces its transparency. The opacity of the lens or its capsule, whether developmental or acquired, is called a cataract. Cataracts vary in degree of density and site and assume various forms. Cataract is the leading cause of reversible visual impairment and blindness globally. There are several classifications of cataracts based on morphologic and/or etiologic criteria. However, in epidemiologic studies, the simplified system of three types based on localization of lens opacities is most commonly used: Nuclear cataract is the most common type, followed by cortical cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract. This most prevalent form of acquired cataract, also known as an “age-related cataract,” affects people of both sexes equally and typically develops after age 50. More than 90% of people experience senile cataracts by age 70. Although one eye is almost always afflicted before the other, the disorder is typically bilateral. In the available literature, there is no mention of any such drug that could reverse the opacity of the lens (cataract) once it occurred and make it clear and transparent again.
Only replacement of opaque lenses with artificial transparent Intraocular lens (IOL) is successful treatment of cataracts. This review focuses on senile cataracts and the best possible management of senile cataracts.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.jcmhs.1001041 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Lens; Cataract; Opacity; Age; Crystalline; Senile

References

  1. National Programme for Control of Blindness &Visual Impairment, Directorate General of Health Services, MHFW, New Delhi. 2019.
  2. Hall AB, Thompson JR, Deane JS, Rosenthal AR. LOCS III versus the Oxford Clinical Cataract Classification and Grading System for the assessment of nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataract. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 1997 Dec;4(4):179-94. doi: 10.3109/09286589709059192. PMID: 9500153.
  3. Thylefors B. A global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1998 Sep;46(3):129-30. PMID: 10085623.
  4. Thylefors B, Chylack LT Jr, Konyama K, Sasaki K, Sperduto R, Taylor HR, West S; WHO Cataract Grading Group. A simplified cataract grading system. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2002 Apr;9(2):83-95. doi: 10.1076/opep.9.2.83.1523. PMID: 11821974.
  5. Michael R, Bron AJ. The ageing lens and cataract: a model of normal and pathological ageing. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2017; 366: 1278–1292.
  6. Osnes-Ringen O, Azqueta AO, Moe MC, Zetterström C, Røger M, Nicolaissen B, Collins AR. DNA amage in lens epithelium of cataract patients in vivo and ex vivo. Acta Ophthalmologica. 2013; 91(7): 652–656. doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.02500.x
  7. Roberts JE. Ultraviolet radiation as a risk factor for cataract and macular degeneration. Eye Contact Lens. 2011 Jul;37(4):246-9. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0b013e31821cbcc9. PMID: 21617534.
  8. Balasubramanian D. Ultraviolet radiation and cataract. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2000 Jun;16(3):285-97. doi: 10.1089/jop.2000.16.285. PMID: 10872925.
  9. Ortwerth BJ, Prabhakaram M, Nagaraj RH, Linetsky M. The relative UV sensitizer activity of purified advanced glycation endproducts. Photochem Photobiol. 1997 Apr;65(4):666-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1997.tb01909.x. PMID: 9114742.
  10. Roberts J. Screening dyes, drugs, and dietary supplements for ocular phototoxicity. In Photostability of Drugs and Drug Formulations, Second Edition. 2004; 235–254. doi:10.1201/9781420023596.ch11
  11. Taylor HR, West S, Muñoz B, Rosenthal FS, Bressler SB, Bressler NM. The long-term effects of visible light on the eye. Arch Ophthalmol. 1992 Jan;110(1):99-104. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1992.01080130101035. PMID: 1731731.
  12. Sliney DH. Intraocular and crystalline lens protection from ultraviolet damage. Eye Contact Lens. 2011 Jul;37(4):250-8. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0b013e31822126d4. PMID: 21670691.
  13. Shiels A, Bennett TM, Knopf HL, Maraini G, Li A, Jiao X, Hejtmancik JF. The EPHA2 gene is associated with cataracts linked to chromosome 1p. Mol Vis. 2008;14:2042-55. Epub 2008 Nov 12. PMID: 19005574; PMCID: PMC2582197.
  14. Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS/AREDS2) | National Eye Institute. 2023. https://www.nei.nih.gov/research/clinical-trials/age-related-eye-disease-studies-aredsareds2
  15. Khurana A. Comprehensive Ophthalmology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. eBooks. 2015. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp/books/12532

Figures:

Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 1

Figure 3

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?