Good day, dear friends! One of the worst enemies for the human body is alcohol, and you can’t argue with that. As a result of excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, the main organ systems, in particular the visual one, are destroyed.
Did you know that the cause of most eye problems is alcohol abuse, which leads to a significant decrease in vision?
The mistake of many people is that they underestimate the negative impact of alcoholic beverages on the body, and, as a result, ruin their health.
The topic of our conversation today will be alcohol and cataracts. I will tell you about the effect of alcohol on the organs of vision and the possible consequences of this addiction.
Restrictions for the patient after surgery
It is necessary to follow absolutely all the indications and recommendations of your attending physician after eye cataract surgery. After all, only in this case can you be completely sure that vision will return completely, and the consequences can be localized and will not appear.
The patient after cataract removal is recommended to:
- Minimize the load on the operated eye;
- Follow a strict sleep schedule;
- Avoid various types of physical activity;
- Do not visit saunas or undergo other high-degree thermal procedures;
- Do not use cosmetics and facial care products;
- Eat moderate meals and drink plenty of fluids.
Also, after cataract surgery with lens replacement in our clinic, you should completely stop smoking and drinking drinks that contain alcohol.
If you neglect these simple rules, the recovery period may be very prolonged or may not produce results at all.
Early recovery period
Within 1 month after microsurgical surgery on the retina, you should pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Limiting physical activity. This is a refusal to lift weights of more than 3 kg, or engage in intense strength training in the gym. However, other types of physical activity, such as walking or swimming, are not contraindicated.
- Control of head position. After microsurgical eye surgery, it is strictly forbidden to tilt your head down. This also applies to the choice of sleeping position: it is better to avoid positioning the body on the stomach. It is also not recommended to tie your shoelaces yourself, wash your hair with your head bowed, work in the country, etc.
- Avoiding colds. Any infectious disease, even if it is a common cold, can increase the risk of eye complications in the early period after surgery. Therefore, it is advisable to limit visits to public places for 1 month after the operation was performed.
- Avoiding thermal procedures. This applies to baths and saunas, hot baths, as well as solariums.
- Avoiding excessive sun exposure. The retina of the eye is very sensitive to sunlight. In the summer, you must always wear a hat and sunglasses.
- Taking medications. Surgery is not the final stage of treatment. The doctor prescribes a postoperative treatment regimen, thanks to which the retina quickly restores its functions.
If unusual symptoms appear in the operated eyes, for example, “spots” in the field of vision, you should urgently consult your ophthalmologist.
What not to do after cataract surgery
It is not recommended to drive for one month after cataract removal. After all, vision will be very sensitive, and any sudden ray of sun or glare from a chrome surface can blind. Of course, this may lead to a traffic accident.
You need to sleep in certain positions. It is forbidden to sleep on your stomach. After all, you can accidentally injure your eye. You should also not sleep on your side on the side where the surgery was performed. In this case, it is recommended to sleep on your back. But it’s best not to use a large and fluffy pillow, but just do without it for the first time.
It is also necessary to limit yourself from lifting heavy objects. In the first month, the maximum weight that you can lift should not exceed three kilograms.
You can make an appointment and ask clarifying questions to our specialists by phone in Moscow (daily from 9:00 to 21:00), using the feedback form on the website.
Dagaev Adam Huseinovich
What causes the danger of drinking alcohol for eye diseases?
People who like to sip a glass or two do not want to believe in the adverse effects of alcohol on the eyes. However, the results of many years of research show that excessive intoxication has a detrimental effect on many vital organs, one of which is the eyes.
Important! According to experienced ophthalmologists, today a fairly large number of patients with serious vision problems suffer from a pathological craving for alcohol.
Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages can provoke the development of the following eye pathologies:
- cataract;
- astigmatism;
- retinal and corneal dystrophy;
- ametropia, etc.
This is not a complete list of visual ailments that can occur as a result of alcohol addiction.
Alcohol and cataracts: why is it contraindicated?
Eye cataract is a disease that is characterized by either complete or partial clouding of the substance of the eye lens or its capsule. The pathology is accompanied by decreased vision or loss of vision.
Despite the fact that cataracts most often occur in adults over 50 years of age, this disease is still characteristic of any age. There are several types of cataracts. These include traumatic, congenital, complicated and radiation cataracts.
According to world statistics, there are about 17,000,000 people in the world with cataracts. And most of them are over 60 years old. At age 75, 26% of men and 46% of women have cataracts. And among those whose age has already passed 80, the rate of cataracts reaches 90%.
The development of cataracts can be somewhat delayed, however, the older a person is, the greater the likelihood of detecting this vision pathology.
Causes and signs of cataracts
The first sign that allows a doctor to suspect a person has cataracts is the patient’s age over 60 years. In this case, the clinical picture has characteristic features. During examination, the ophthalmologist observes opacities that can be located in different parts of the eye: in the peripheral lobe of the lens, or opposite the pupil. The opacities are grayish in nature, sometimes with a white tint.
An anterior cataract appears as a white spot with clearly defined boundaries. When it is slightly pushed forward and pointed, such a cataract is called anterior pyramidal.
If the clouding is located at the posterior pole of the lens and is presented in the form of a round white ball, then it is said to be a posterior polar cataract.
Central cataract is determined by such characteristics as: spherical appearance, location - center of the lens, diameter - 2 mm.
A fusiform cataract can be judged by its shape. This clouding is presented in the form of a thin spindle, it is located along the entire length of the lens.
Zonular congenital cataract has the appearance of a cloudy core with transparent layers.
Cloudiness of the entire lens, liquefaction of its masses and further formation of a dense bag are signs of a dense soft cataract.
Diabetic cataracts are characterized by the appearance of white opacities in the form of flakes. They are located over the entire surface of the lens, and changes in the iris often occur.
Tetanic cataract is characterized by the same symptoms as its diabetic variety and is determined by the signs of the disease that caused it (hypofunction of the parathyroid glands).
Toxic cataract most often manifests itself in the form of opacities located under the lens capsule, with subsequent spread to the cortical layers.
Senile cataract has many symptoms and depends on the degree of progression of the disease: initial, swelling, mature and overripe.
These are the most common signs that allow us to characterize cataracts and attribute them to one type or another.
What to do if complications occur
It is important to know! If, however, water or foam from a cosmetic product penetrates into the operated eye, then it is necessary to immediately rinse with a specially prepared furatsilin solution.
If there is slight redness, it usually goes away after applying the drops.
Inflammatory processes - these include inflammation of the conjunctiva, blood vessels of the eye, and iris. You need to see a doctor. A specialist prescribes anti-inflammatory drops, and within a few weeks the eye returns to normal.
High intraocular pressure - the patient experiences pain in the eye sockets, which may develop into a headache. There is pain in the eyes, and a feeling of heaviness when closed.
The doctor prescribes drops; they stabilize the functioning of the circulatory system of the eyeball.
Benefits of Phacoemulsification
Doctors quite often recommend the procedure, as it has the following advantages:
- removal of cataracts of any complexity;
- reducing the risk of complications and side effects;
- the speed of the procedure, which takes no more than 20 minutes;
- no damage to a large amount of tissue, no stitches or threads are used, so recovery is quick;
- if there are no complications during the operation, the patient is discharged on the same day, there is no need for him to stay in a medical facility;
- immediate effect from the operation, which can be observed after recovery from anesthesia;
- surgical intervention can be used by both children and the elderly;
- if an intraocular lens is installed instead of a lens, there is no rejection reaction, so there is no need to use drugs that suppress the immune system;
- the duration of the rehabilitation period is short;
- when using high-quality materials and choosing a qualified surgeon, there is virtually no risk of secondary cataracts;
- the ability to choose an eyepiece lens based on functionality and cost.
Most patients with lens disease choose phacoemulsification for cataracts.
Cost of the operation
The price of the operation consists of the services of an ophthalmologist and the choice of the type of intraocular lens. If a person chooses a lens that does not have an accommodation function, the price of the operation will be 20-25 thousand rubles.
If a multifocal lens is used, the cost increases to 50 thousand rubles. The cost of the service includes the surgeon’s work, anesthesia, and postoperative examination. The person pays separately for the preparatory stage of the operation, which includes laboratory and instrumental studies.
Cataract is a film on the eye
The misconception arose due to the fact that the pupil of the diseased eye becomes noticeably lighter, as if covered with a foggy film, and also because of the symptoms of the disease: the patient sees blurredly, the outlines of objects are distorted, color perception is disrupted (colors look dull). The onset of the disease is characterized by the perception of a visible image in a slightly blurred form, as if a person is looking through wet glass, film or streams of water. Sometimes there is a split image. There is no pain, but visual acuity is significantly reduced.
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In fact, cataracts are clouding of the lens and loss of elasticity.
Only mature cataracts can be operated on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=towbc5q5_yc
This is not so much a misconception as it is an outdated idea of how to fix a problem. It has been preserved from those times when, due to the technical features of the operation, it was really difficult for doctors to perform it in the early stages of cataract development.
The introduction of modern highly scientific technologies has made it possible to remove restrictions of this kind. Today, ophthalmologists successfully operate on cataracts of any degree of maturity. The timing of the procedure depends solely on how much the decrease in visual acuity affects the patient’s quality of life.
Prevention
There are no specific methods to prevent the development of cataracts. You can use rules that will slow down the process:
- annual visits to an ophthalmologist and other specialists, laboratory tests, and instrumental examination methods;
- eating foods containing small amounts of protein;
- timely treatment of ophthalmological diseases;
- timely treatment of systemic diseases;
- the use of conservative treatment methods for the initial stage of cataracts.
The phacoemulsification method for cataract removal has many positive aspects. Complications are rare, especially in those patients who do not follow the rules of rehabilitation. It is important to choose a qualified doctor and high-quality intraocular lenses that will completely restore vision function. After the procedure, it is recommended to undergo periodic eye examinations to prevent the development of secondary cataracts.
How to get a license for cataracts
If you have been diagnosed with this disease, do not worry. In most cases, you are allowed to drive a car if you have cataracts. It all depends on the stage of the pathological process. Let's assume you have a category "B" license.
- 1) In this case, visual acuity in the “better” eye should be at least 0.6,
- 2) at the “worst” level – at least 0.2 units.
- 3) The vision test can be done with glasses or contact lenses - in this case, the license will indicate that you can only use the car with glasses.
- 4) Complete blindness of one eye is also allowed, but the visual acuity of the second must be at least 0.8 units.
- 5) Color perception is also checked using special pictures.
If your license has expired or you have not received your license yet, then you need to undergo a medical examination and visit an ophthalmologist. In this case, the doctor will determine whether you can use the car. This will depend on what visual acuity you show - that is, how many lines you can read with your right and left eyes.
Features of the development and treatment of cataracts in childhood
Symptoms of congenital cataracts can appear in a child at any time - almost immediately after birth or a little later (see photo). Progression depends on genetic predisposition, concomitant diseases and the type of intrauterine infections. It can be partial or complete, accompanied by decreased vision of varying severity.
Children with congenital cataracts are not always prescribed surgery. If the cataract is complete, then surgery is mandatory. In such cases, the sooner treatment is given, the better. After all, cataracts can cause the development of amblyopia. For the same reason, children after surgery are advised to wear a bandage or special glasses.
How to properly apply eye drops during rehabilitation
You should lie on your back, tilt your head back a little. Then pull back the lower eyelid with your index finger without using force and drop 1 drop.
Do not touch the dispenser to your eye, keep the bottle upright. If you need to repeat the procedure, you should wait 1-2 minutes and repeat the manipulation.
Remove excess liquid with a clean, sterile napkin and wipe the skin without touching the eye or pressing on nearby tissue.
Cataracts are removed with a laser
The most progressive and low-traumatic method of removing the affected lens is its gentle crushing with ultrasound. The resulting fragments are removed through a microscopic incision in the cornea. The operation does not require suturing or keeping the patient in the hospital.
Sometimes a complication occurs after the procedure: a thin film forms behind the newly installed synthetic lens (the so-called secondary cataract). This is what is removed using a laser on an outpatient basis.
Cataracts can be prevented
If the disease is caused by factors such as metabolic disorders or eye injury, it is possible to slow its progression through adequate treatment of the underlying disease. Age-related cataracts (especially with a hereditary predisposition) cannot be prevented. It does not follow from this that the disease cannot be treated: timely surgery and properly selected postoperative therapy will undoubtedly help.
Contrary to popular belief, work associated with straining the visual apparatus does not affect the likelihood of developing cataracts.
The effect of alcoholic drinks on the body
- When absorbing alcohol, the digestive tract takes the first hit. When used systematically, it causes gastritis, pancreatitis, and liver disease.
- Once in the blood, C2H5OH increases the death of red blood cells. This makes it difficult to deliver oxygen primarily to the nervous system and heart. Metabolism in human tissues is disrupted.
- Ethanol breakdown products also have a toxic effect.
- Enhances the formation of endorphins, which causes euphoria.
- Has a carcinogenic effect. Increases the risk of cancer.
- Experiments begun in 1978 showed that excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of lens opacification.
Indications for phacoemulsification of cataracts
The operation is not indicated for all categories of patients; it is used for the following conditions:
- the initial stage of cataract opacification in the elderly;
- severe clouding of the lens at any age.
FEC is the main type of surgical procedure indicated for individuals whose vision has decreased by 50% or more. They have a veil before their eyes and become hypersensitive to bright light. If surgery is not performed in time, vision will continue to decline until complete blindness.
Cataracts only affect older people
This is wrong.
About half of cataract cases are diagnosed in people aged 39 to 65 years. Women get sick twice as often as men. In older age, the disease develops in 75% of people. Factors causing cataracts are diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency, poor environmental conditions, some chronic diseases, taking a number of medications, and eye injuries. It is believed that the risk of developing the disease increases if the organs of vision are exposed to prolonged intense ultraviolet radiation. Cataracts can also be congenital: they occur in babies whose mothers took alcohol or steroids during pregnancy, suffered exposure to penetrating radiation, or had infectious diseases.
Why are alcoholic drinks contraindicated after removal of a clouded lens?
It's no secret that the rehabilitation period after cataract removal requires compliance with certain rules. It also involves some restrictions, including a ban on strong drinks.
According to most eye specialists, alcohol consumption after cataract surgery, especially after phacoemulsification, should be stopped for 1.5-2 months until the eye is completely restored.
Diagnostics
In addition, standard and special methods are used to diagnose cataracts. Standard methods include: biomicroscopy (using a slit lamp), testing vision and its fields, measuring intraocular pressure and examining the fundus. And the group of special methods includes ultrasound and densitometry.
Types of phacoemulsification of cataracts
There are several types of surgical intervention, which are selected depending on the patient’s condition, cost, treatment method, and surgeon’s preference. First, the patient consults with a doctor, undergoes laboratory and instrumental examinations, determining the quality of health.
Laser phacoemulsification of cataracts
To remove the clouded area or the lens as a whole, a surgical laser device with ultrashort pulses is used.
Often, patients with cataracts develop increased intraocular pressure, which leads to glaucoma. Therefore, during surgery, the doctor makes a hole in the iris of the eye so that the secreted fluid comes out through it, reducing the pressure.
Ultrasound phacoemulsification of cataracts
The ultrasound type of operation is the most common. It is most often chosen by doctors and patients, as it has a high degree of effectiveness and is less expensive to use.
The procedure uses a probe that emits ultrasonic waves. It does not destroy clouded particles of the lens only if they are not excessively hard.
