DISEASES OF LENS

Diseases of Lens

Structure and Function of Lens

1. The lens is a transparent, biconvex structure in the eye.
2. It is made of lens fibers and epithelial cells.
3. The lens is held in place by zonular fibers.
4. The lens changes shape to focus light on the retina.
5. It plays a crucial role in vision, especially in accommodating for near and far vision.

Types of Cataract

1. Age-related cataract:
   1. The most common type of cataract.
   2. It is caused by aging and results in cloudy vision.
   3. It can be further divided into cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular cataracts.
2. Congenital cataract:
   1. It is present at birth.
   2. It can be caused by genetics or intrauterine infections.
   3. It affects vision development in children.
3. Traumatic cataract:
   1. It is caused by eye injury.
   2. It can be open or closed.
   3. It may be associated with other eye injuries.
4. Secondary cataract:
   1. It is caused by other eye conditions or surgeries.
   2. It can be caused by uveitis, glaucoma, or previous eye surgeries.
   3. It requires proper management to prevent complications.

Descriptive Pathology of Cataract Types

1. Cortical cataract
   1. It starts as a small, opaque spot in the lens cortex.
   2. It gradually spreads, causing vision problems.
   3. It can be associated with cataract progression.
2. Nuclear cataract
   1. It affects the central part of the lens.
   2. It can cause cataract progression.
   3. It may lead to vision loss.
3. Posterior subcapsular cataract
   1. It affects the back part of the lens.
   2. It can cause vision problems in bright light.
   3. It may be associated with cataract progression.

Surgical Management of Cataract

1. Phacoemulsification:
   1. This is a modern surgical technique to remove cataracts.
   2. It uses ultrasonic waves to break up the cataract.
   3. The cataract is then aspirated out.
2. Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE):
   1. It involves removing the cataract with the surrounding lens capsule.
   2. It is typically used for mature or hypermature cataracts.
   3. The lens is then replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL).
3. Intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE):
   1. It involves removing the cataract along with the surrounding lens capsule and zonular fibers.
   2. It is typically used for advanced or mature cataracts.
   3. The lens is then replaced with an IOL.

Homoeopathic Management of Lens Diseases

1. Belladonna:
   1. It is used for cataracts with intense pain.
   2. It helps to reduce inflammation and improve vision.
2. Calcarea carbonica:
   1. It is used for cataracts with calcification.
   2. It helps to reduce inflammation and improve vision.
3. Causticum:
   1. It is used for cataracts with ciliary body involvement.
   2. It helps to reduce inflammation and improve vision.
4. Lachesis:
   1. It is used for cataracts with intense pain and vision loss.
   2. It helps to reduce inflammation and improve vision.