UV radiation increases the risk of cataracts

Intense UV radiation promotes the risk of cataracts

04.08.2011

Protect the skin against ultraviolet radiation with sunscreen - a daily routine for many, especially during holiday and travel time. However, very few sunbathers also pay enough attention to protect their eyes from intense UV radiation. But those who deliver their eyes unprotected to the sun's rays favors the risk of developing cataracts, a progressive clouding of the lens. Only surgical measures then enable the restoration of visual acuity in cataracts.

Blurred, dull and veiled perception of the environment - this is how many people describe the symptoms of incipient cataracts. If left untreated, colors lose clarity as the disease progresses, and vision steadily decreases. „The only helpful treatment in patients with cataracts is the surgical exchange of the body's own with artificial lenses“, knows Dr. Kaweh Shayan-Araghi, medical director of the Artemis Ophthalmic Clinic in Frankfurt and member of the board of the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists. A minimally invasive micropositioning technique enables a gentle procedure and leads to precise results. A cut of 2.2 millimeters is enough to shred and suck diseased lenses using ultrasound. This is followed by the same pinhead sized opening the insertion of a folded artificial lens. Depending on personal requirements and patient needs, there are several lens shapes to choose from. Multifocal lenses fix, for example, in addition to the cataracts also short-sightedness and hyperopia. The toric shape of the multifocal lens also treats astigmatism. Mostly carried out on an outpatient basis, today's surgery usually does not require hospitalization and is one of the most common surgeries. In Germany, doctors are now ridding about 600,000 patients annually from cataracts.

However, anyone who wants to prevent surgery should protect his eyes in summer. To be safe from unpleasant consequences of sunshine, it is recommended to wear sunglass lenses with built-in UV filter and CE mark. In addition, sunglasses should cover the eyes as completely as possible. „Experts know a variety of causes that favor cataracts. Both patients with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes mellitus or dialysis and cortisone patients are at increased risk. Likewise, cigarette smoke and ultra-intense UV radiation are not to be underestimated risk factors“, supplements Dr. Schayan-Araghi. Double Plus: In addition to the cataract sunglasses protect the eyes from retinal diseases such as macular degeneration. (Pm)

Picture: Rufin Schullian