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Although the development of cataracts is slow, it must be taken into account that there are different factors that can speed up the process:
In the early phase of cataract development, there are no discernible symptoms. Usually they usually begin to be evident around 70-75 years old. The most common are the following:
The loss of quality of vision is not an exclusive symptom of cataracts, so it is important to undergo regular ophthalmic revision. But in this case the important thing is to have a diagnosis as early as possible. If the symptoms affecting vision are mild and do not affect the ability to perform normal activities, a number of measures can be recommended that will help to improve it: changing the prescription of glasses, wearing sunglasses, improving lighting at home, etc.
The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery, which should be done when symptoms begin to make it difficult to perform activities associated with daily life. The ophthalmologist will decide the most appropriate time to perform the intervention in the best possible conditions and with little risk.
Cataract surgery is performed using a very safe technique called phacoemulsification, which is performed under local anaesthesia and only takes about 20 minutes.
It consists of undoing the lens through the use of ultrasound, emptying it completely and replacing it with an intraocular lens that, besides replacing the function of the lens, also eliminates presbyopia and myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.
The incisions that are made in the surface of the eye are minimal, which is why recovery from surgery is practically immediate and with hardly any complications. Only slight discomfort can be felt in the moments immediately after it.
Therefore, it is not usually necessary to hospitalize the patient, who can return to normal activity in a short period of time having fully recovered his or her vision and without needing to re-use glasses, if they previously had no additional eyesight condition. It is recommended to wear sunglasses for a while.