Eyeball - what is it? Sclerosis of the lens of the eye: causes, symptoms and treatment
Perhaps most people are trying to keep an eye on the condition of the eyes, as they realize the importance of this body. That is why it is necessary to know the main signs of the most common ophthalmic diseases, in order to notice the pathological process and start its treatment at an early stage. In this article, let us consider the phacosclerosis of the eyes. What it is?
Lens lens changes related to age
The lens is a significant part of the eye, which from the birth of a person undergoes various changes of a physiological nature. For example, immediately after birth, it has the shape of a ball, it is soft and lacks color. However, with age in the front of the lens, it becomes flat. Color of the lens in this period is still transparent, but gradually there is also a yellow tint, which with age is getting a more vivid expression. Now the operation to replace the lens of the eye is very popular.
It is necessary to say that not only the appearance of the lens changes, but also its elasticity, the lens becomes more and more rigid over time. When a person reaches the age of forty, elasticity is reduced to such a level that there is a threat of development of a pathology of the type, such as age-long farsightedness, widely known as "presbyopia."After the person turns sixty years old, he develops a sclerosis of the lens, which affects the decrease in the functioning of this organ.
Researches of scientists in this field
Scientists drew attention to this problem and began to study it comprehensively. For this purpose, representatives of different age groups were specially invited, after which they measured the degree of hardening of the lens of the lens. Quite quickly to cope with this task, Australian scientists helped such a device as a mechanical analyzer, through which they measured at certain points. As a result, it was found that the increase in the rigidity of the lens begins already at the age of fourteen. This process is especially active in cortical areas and in the nucleus. So, before the age of thirty, in young people cortical areas are distinguished by a higher hardness than the core. However, as we approach the level of thirty-five years, these indicators become the same. In the future, however, the rigidity of the core becomes higher.
Although the results were obvious, scientists could not substantiate this phenomenon. Hypotheses were expressed only. For example, judging by one of them, the acquisition of sufficient hardness by the lens is due to the compaction of the substance from which it forms during dehydration. However, in carrying out special analyzes of the phacosclerosis of the eye( what is it, it is interesting to many), it turned out that the amount of water that is contained in the lens does not change over time and remains the same throughout the life of a person. This result disproved the hypothesis.
Functionality of the lens
In general, the functional signs of the lens are determined primarily by its qualities, such as softness and elasticity, which is also confirmed by the theory put forward by Hermann von Helmholtz. He claimed that the human eye has such optical characteristics that when using the near vision, the curvature of the lens surface increases. However, there is no change in its sphericity in this case, this process is due to the contractions of the ciliary and ciliary muscles. Symptoms of the phacosclerosis of the eyes are presented below.
Since the lens must constantly undergo changes in its shape, it must retain its elasticity. However, over the years, its stiffness is increasing, and changing the form is not so simple, and at some point it basically loses this ability. Because of this, a man is forced to use glasses in his old age.
Symptomatology
Eyeball( what it is, we explained) is such a pathological process that is characterized by densification of the lens fibers. To identify this disease, you need to know its main symptoms, which include:
- decreased visual acuity and the appearance of myopia;
- dry eyes or, conversely, tear;
- eye fatigue caused by prolonged overexertion;
- acute pains appearing in the eyeballs;
- gradual loss of the ability to distinguish colors;
- high sensitivity to bright light;
- loss of clear vision, the letters "float" before your eyes while reading.
There is a phacosclerosis of both eyes.
Causes of
We have already found out that most patients develop an illness due to changes in eye tissues due to age. But experts argue that there are other factors that provoke the appearance of this pathology:
- iridocyclitis and corneal ulcer;
- myopia of different degree;
- diabetes;
- glaucoma and cataract with various complications;
- predisposition from the point of view of heredity.
How is eye lens sclerosis diagnosed?
To confirm the diagnosis, a specialist needs to analyze the condition of the lens with side lighting using a lens of 20 D. Also, the lens is also examined in transmitted light, so that one can judge the changes in its shape, if any.
Obligatory is also the procedure for biomicroscopy of the eye, in which a slit lamp is used. During the examination, it is possible to detect minimal changes in color, shape and position of the lens. In addition, ultrasound A-scanning, or echobiometry, is also performed. This diagnostic method allows you to specify the place in which the crystalline lens arose, as well as to determine the presence of turbidity.
Features of treatment of the disease
Fakosclerosis differs from other ophthalmic diseases in that it does not cause a decrease in visual acuity. That is why no special treatment is required. In most cases, the doctor prescribes corrective glasses, which are selected depending on the age of the patient. But in severe cases, an operation is required to replace the lens of the eye.
Since up to the present time, experts have not yet been able to determine the specific mechanism of the appearance of phacosclerosis, there are no effective therapeutic methods. Specialists can offer only a set of measures aimed at maintaining the patient's condition, so that you can slow down the crystallization of the lens and symptomatic manifestations. Therapy for the diagnosis of "phacosclerosis of the eye" is reduced to such measures:
- proper nutrition of the patient;
- physical activity;
- the use of nutrients and certain vitamins;
- rejection of addictions.
Folk methods
There are also folk therapeutic methods that contribute to the preservation of healthy eyes. Patients are advised to use as much as possible blueberries, carrots, honey and other products used by healers from ancient times to improve the quality of vision. At any time, such recommendation as concern for the necessary level of the general state of the human body is topical. With proper support, he will be able to attract all of his resources and help the lens to maintain its elasticity until old age. Also, you need to monitor how much sugar is contained in the blood, be sure to fix the slightest changes in the state of the eyes, try not to allow injuries and regularly come to the reception to the ophthalmologist.
The article considers the phacosclerosis of the eye, what it is, it is now clear.