Cataract Inside human eyes, there is a natural lens. The len | UPSC Current Affairs Daily

Cataract

Inside human eyes, there is a natural lens. The lens bends (refracts) light rays that come into the eye to help us see.
A person with cataract, this lens becomes cloudy, and vision gets blurry, hazy or less colourful.
A cataract may be characterised by:
Blurry vision
Seeing double (when you see two images instead of one)
Being extra sensitive to light
Having trouble seeing well at night, or needing more light when you read
Seeing bright colours as faded or yellow instead
CAUSES
Ageing is the most common cause. At the age of 40 years, the normal proteins in the lens start to break down. This is what causes the lens to get cloudy.
Having certain medical problems, such as diabetes
An eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatments.
Having spent a lot of time in the sun, especially exposure to damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays
Using certain medications such as corticosteroids, which may cause early formation of cataracts.
SYMPTOMS
Blurry vision
Seeing double (when you see two images instead of one)
Being extra sensitive to light
Having trouble seeing well at night, or needing more light when you read
Seeing bright colours as faded or yellow instead
TREATMENT
Surgery is the only option if vision is totally blocked due to cataract. If not, then symptoms can be treated by remedies like stronger eyeglasses, magnifying lenses, or sunglasses with an anti-glare coating.
Government initiative
National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) was launched in the year 1976 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020.
NPCB&VI seeks to provide Eye Health for All and prevention of visual impairment
It envisages comprehensive universal eye-care services and quality service delivery, though its implementation still remains a major issue