{Difference between Glaucoma and Cataract: Understanding Eye Health|Exploring the Difference between Glaucoma and Cataracts
{Difference between Glaucoma and Cataract: Understanding Eye Health|Exploring the Difference between Glaucoma and Cataracts
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Understanding Eye Health: The Distinct Differences between Glaucoma and Cataracts
When it comes to eye health, two prevalent eye conditions that people often hear about are glaucoma and cataracts. Both significantly impacts vision, but they differ in how they develop, symptoms, and treatments. In this post, we’ll discuss the differences between glaucoma and cataract, helping you gain a clearer understanding of them.
What is Glaucoma? vs. What is Cataract?
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About Glaucoma
Cataract
Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition where high internal eye pressure leads to optic nerve damage, often resulting in loss of peripheral vision. This serves as a primary glaucoma vs cataracts difference.
Cataract is the gradual clouding of the eye's natural lens, which leads to overall blurry vision. This condition mainly alters the eye lens, unlike glaucoma, which impacts optic nerve health.
Vision Impact
With glaucoma, vision loss generally affects peripheral vision initially, and may advance to tunnel vision or blindness in serious cases.
Cataracts lead to vision clouding across all distances, making clear vision difficult. This represents a key glaucoma vs cataract distinction.
Understanding the Causes more info and Risk Factors
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What Causes Glaucoma?
Causes & Risk Factors of Cataract
What Causes These Conditions?
● Elevated intraocular pressure due to improper fluid drainage
● Aging
● Hereditary links
● Diabetes, high blood pressure
● Advancing age
● Prolonged exposure to UV rays
● Past eye injuries
● Diabetes and long-term smoking
● Use of steroid medications over time
Risk Factors
● Older age
● Ethnic factors (higher risk in African, Asian, and Hispanic populations)
● Corneal thickness issues
● Long-term sunlight exposure
● Previous eye operations
Recognizing Symptoms of Glaucoma and Cataracts
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Symptoms of Glaucoma
Symptoms of click here Cataract
Symptoms
● Gradual loss of peripheral vision
● Vision becomes blurred
● Eye pain
● Light halos
● Challenges with night vision
Vision that appears foggy
● Light sensitivity rises
● Nighttime vision challenges
● Faded colors
● Halos around lights
Main Symptom Differences
The primary symptom distinction between glaucoma and cataracts is that glaucoma affects vision at the edges, while cataracts result in overall blurry vision.
Comparing check here Types of Glaucoma and Cataracts
Types of more info Glaucoma
Types of Cataract
Open-Angle Glaucoma - The most prevalent form of glaucoma where eye drainage gradually declines, causing elevated internal pressure.
Nuclear Cataract - Located at the lens center, often related to getting older, here causing lens yellowing and hardening.
Angle-Closure Glaucoma - Sudden drainage angle closure between iris and cornea, requiring urgent medical intervention.
Treatment for Cataracts
Managing Glaucoma
Glaucoma is treated by lowering eye pressure through like medicated drops, laser treatments, and surgery. Glaucoma vision damage is irreversible.
Cataract is resolved by surgically implanting an artificial lens, restoring good vision. This is safe and effective, unlike glaucoma treatments which can’t reverse damage.
For specialized care, meet with Dr. Ruchika Arora, a cataract expert in Thane.