Cataract happens to everyone. Early detection is the key.
Cataract is one of the most common lens diseases in middle-aged and elderly people. After the occurrence of cataract, the impact on eye vision is more obvious, there is no effective drug to treat cataract, only through surgery. So, are there any good ways to prevent cataracts? What can be done to slow the progression of cataracts? Here is the knowledge related to cataract for everyone.
First, let's understand what cataracts are:
Cataracts are characterized by painless, progressive vision loss. The white arrow in Figure A indicates a normal crystalline shape. The normal, healthy lens is colorless and transparent, oblate in shape, and is located directly behind the pupil. In Figure B, the red arrow indicates a clouded lens in a cataract patient. The lens is grayish white, yellow and other cloudy, the transparency is reduced, the shape becomes more bulging and more swollen, and the distance between it and the iris in front of it is close, which can lead to acute glaucoma in severe cases.
In addition, what to do to prevent cataracts:
1, pay attention to mental adjustment, peace of mind.
Keep a positive and optimistic attitude and avoid being in a state of high tension for a long time. Take things calmly, mind should be broad, keep emotions comfortable, to control anger. Cultivating an interest in green plants and nature can play a good role in soothing the eyes and edifying the mood. Talk more with family and friends, can reduce stress, arouse a benign enthusiasm for life, can play a role in preventing and delaying the progression of cataracts.
2, active prevention and treatment of systemic chronic disease.
It mainly includes active treatment of chronic systemic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Especially hypertension and diabetes, the most easily complicated cataract, to control blood pressure and blood sugar smoothly and effectively, can effectively delay the progress of cataract disease.
3, adjust the way of life, develop good and correct habits of life and rest.
(1) When going out with strong ultraviolet light, it is best to wear sunglasses
The ultraviolet light in the sun is the main reason for the opacity of the lens, especially in the summer of the seaside, the sun is particularly strong, and the amount of ultraviolet light will be larger. After wearing sunglasses, greatly reduce the damage caused by ultraviolet light to the eyes.
(2) Reasonable diet and moderate exercise
Because the absorption and metabolism of the elderly is weakened, the nutrients in food will not be fully absorbed and utilized, so in daily life, you can increase the intake of high-quality protein and natural vitamins, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and increase the intake of white meat such as fish.
Aerobic exercises can choose from Tai chi, walking, square dancing and ballroom dancing. Anaerobic exercise can choose less intense exercise such as golf, table tennis and so on. It is recommended to exercise for no less than 30 minutes each time, and exercise no less than 5 times a week. Exercise intensity should be gradual, according to your ability, and warm up properly before exercise. After the exercise, attention should be paid to the proper stretching of the muscles, and appropriate massage and relaxation can be carried out. It is not appropriate to stop immediately after the end of a certain intensity of exercise, and a certain amount of low-intensity exercise should be carried out to gradually restore the body to the indicators.
(3) Develop good habits and avoid staying up late
It is best to develop the habit of falling asleep before 11 o 'clock at night, from 11 o 'clock at night to 1 o 'clock the next morning, is the prime time for the human body to recover various functions and complete self-repair, if you do not rest during this period, it will greatly increase the risk of cataracts and other diseases.
(4) Follow the doctor's advice to get an eye examination on time
Examination found cataracts, this time should follow the advice of professional ophthalmologists, regular to the eye clinic comprehensive examination of the eyes. In this way, you can accurately understand the changes in vision and understand whether there are other eye diseases other than cataracts at the same time, and do not mistakenly think that the inability to see is only caused by cataracts, which affects the diagnosis of other eye diseases. It is worth noting that during the follow-up period, if patients suddenly feel acute vision loss or obvious eye discomfort, they should go to the ophthalmic clinic in time.
4. Drink plenty of water
Water can transport all solute substances in the body, not only oxygen, minerals, inorganic salts and vitamins are dissolved in water, but also the toxic waste produced by various parts of the body is detoxicated by the kidney and liver through water. Once there is a severe lack of water, metabolic waste accumulates in various tissues and organs, including the lens of the eye, and over time, it will cause lens lesions. When the body is dehydrated, it also causes metabolic disorders and produces harmful chemicals that speed up the progression of disease.
According to the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents", normal adults need to drink 1.2-1.5L of water a day, that is, 6-8 glasses of water. How to allocate time for drinking water? The first glass of water is to drink about half an hour after getting up in the morning; The second glass of water should be drunk about half an hour after breakfast; The third glass of water is drunk around 10 o 'clock; The fourth glass of water is drunk half an hour before lunch; The fifth glass of water is to drink after a nap; The sixth glass of water was drunk around 3 p.m. The seventh glass of water is drunk at about 5:30 p.m., after drinking it can increase the sense of fullness, and will not binge drink at dinner; Drink your eighth glass of water about an hour before bed.
5. Quit smoking
People know that long-term smoking can cause lung cancer, but few people know that smoking can also cause cataracts. Studies have shown that the incidence of cataracts in long-term smokers is significantly higher than that of non-smokers, and it is more obvious in pipe smokers.
As an important sensory organ, the role of the eyes can not be ignored, we must pay attention to the usual health care, which can greatly improve the quality of life of the elderly, reduce the burden on the family and society.
Contributors:
Jia Wenyan
Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University
Reviewer:
Wang Yan
Vice President, Health Management Branch, Chinese Geriatric Society
Director of Health Examination Center, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University