Summer is intertwined with holidays and many activities in outdoor spaces, sea and mountain. For those who live with waterfallthese experiences are blurry, often deformed and frustrating.
Waterfall is the most common cause of vision reduction after the age of 55 years. It grows gradually when the proteins from which the natural, crystalline lens of the eye is split. As the lens becomes increasingly opaque, it prevents the entry of light into the eye and its focus accurately on its posterior (the retina). Consistency is blurred, “faded” colors, diplopia (the sufferer sees double idols) and difficulties in vision in intense lighting.
The waterfall typically begins on the fifth or sixth decade of lifebut it takes many years for it to significantly hurt the eyesight to make it perceived. Because as a rule it is the result of aging, it becomes more common with age. Thus, the percentage of sufferers ranges from almost 4% at ages 55-64 to 93% at the ages of 80 years and over. However, it can offend people of all ages, even children.
“Waterfall is an inevitable consequence of old age, but its development can be contributed by genetic predisposition and some environmental factors, such as smoking, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, some diseases such as diabetes, and surgery, Occupations, ”says ophthalmologist Dr. Evangelos Tsichlis, MD, PhD, Doctor of Ophthalmology at the University of Heidelberg, a Laservision Ophthalmology Associate.
Whatever the cause, it must be treated in time and correctly. Otherwise reduced vision affects everyday life and quality of life and can have serious consequences, as it increases the risk of dementia, injuries due to falls and any kind of accidents, and even traffic.
“Something important that everyone needs to understand about the waterfall is that it grows very slowly, over time. At first its symptoms are so invisible that the sufferer is difficult to understand. As it evolves, however, it significantly affects vision, making difficult simple activities that we all consider given, such as reading, driving or even recognizing persons, “says Dr. Tsichlis.
Especially in summer, the waterfall can to aggravate sensitivity to bright light that the sufferers have. This sensitivity causes them symptoms, such as a blurry (blur) of vision (it is like seeing a cloudy glass), “halo” (other) around light springs such as lit lamps at night, as well as shine or reflections around bright objects. Patients may also have a reduced perception of colors than usual.
All of this is particularly aggravating to activities such as driving at night, because the lights from the vehicles on the opposite side of the road blind the sufferer. They also make work or reading on digital screens (eg mobile, laptop) and prevent the person from seeing clearly when they are in an outdoor space during the day.
“In order for the sufferers to deal with additional visual problems in the summer, they can take a number of measures. It may, for example, need to reduce driving at night. If they have to drive, it is advisable to prefer well -lit roads. They should also avoid looking at the lights of the passing cars directly, “says Dr. Tsichlis.
Another effective strategy is to watch out for lighting in their home. Must to avoid the bright lights And to prefer the milder, but they will not fall on them. This can reduce the flashes and reflections they see from lighting lamps.
To reduce light sensitivity, they can use at home switches that regulate the dimmer at night. During the day they can properly adjust their curtains and shutters, so that the environment does not come in and the environment are more comfortable for their eyes.
When they are in outdoor spaces, cataracts are important to wear sunglasses. Glasses must provide 100% protection from UV (UVA) and B (UVB) and be large to cover their eyes well.
It should also not be too old because their protective filters may be worn over time. If you have them many years, it is advisable to take them to your optics to check if they still provide sufficient UV protection, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is recommended.
Sunglasses should be combined with a hat with a wide cornice. This will prevent the rays of the sun from entering the eyes directly, thereby reducing sensitivity to light.
However, the only definitive solution to the problems faced by sufferers is the surgical correction of the waterfall. It consists of removing the blurred crystalloid lens of the eye and replacing it with a clear endodal.
This surgery is one of the safest and most commonly applied to the world. It is estimated that more than 20 million operations are performed worldwide each year. In the European Union, for example, in 2021 it is estimated that 4.32 million were executed.
“Although the waterfall causes unpleasant symptoms, there are some strategies that can help sufferers and improve their quality of life. But it is important to consult the best choices with their ophthalmologist and not to delay the required intervention, which is painless and allows them to return immediately to their activities, ”concludes Dr. Tsichlis.