Understanding Cataracts: A cataract forms in the lens, located behind the iris (colored part of the eye). The lens plays a crucial role in focusing light entering the eye, creating clear and sharp images on the retina – the light-sensitive membrane akin to a camera's film. Formation Process: Cataracts disrupt the passage of light through the lens, preventing the formation of sharply defined images on the retina, and leading to blurred vision. The natural aging process results in the lenses becoming less flexible, less transparent, and thicker. Age-related changes cause the breakdown and clustering of tissues within the lens, creating cloudiness in small areas. With the progression of a cataract, this clouding intensifies, encompassing a larger portion of the lens. While cataracts can develop in one eye, it is common for them to appear in both eyes. However, the degree of advancement may not be symmetrical, with one eye potentially experiencing a more advanced cataract than the other.

1.Cloudy, blurry, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision.
2.Noticeable cloudiness in the pupil.
3.Increased glare from lights, such as headlights while driving at night.
4.Decrease in distance vision but potential improvement in near vision.
5.Double vision (diplopia).
6.Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription.
7.Impaired color vision.
8.Poor vision in sunlight.
Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for early detection and timely management of cataracts. Regular eye examinations become essential, especially as individuals age, to address potential vision changes caused by cataracts.

Cataract Removal Techniques: Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE): Extracapsular Cataract Extraction involves the removal of almost the entire natural lens, leaving the elastic lens capsule (posterior capsule) intact for the implantation of an intraocular lens. This technique requires manual expression of the lens through a large incision, typically ten to twelve millimeters in size, made in the cornea or sclera. While ECCE is now rarely performed, it is occasionally indicated for patients with very hard cataracts or specific situations where phacoemulsification may pose potential challenges.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma develops rapidly. Symptoms are often severe. They include:
1. Intense pain
2. Redness of the eye
3. Headache
4. Tender eye area
5. Seeing halos or 'rainbow-like' rings around lights
6. Misty vision
7. Loss of vision in one or both eyes that progresses very quickly
Secondary glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma is caused by other conditions, such as uveitis(inflammation of the middle layer of the eye). It can also be caused by eye injuries and certain treatments, such as medication or operations. It's possible for the symptoms of glaucoma to be confused with the symptoms of the other condition. For example, uveitis often causes painful eyes and headaches. However, the glaucoma may still cause misty vision and rings or halos around lights.
Developmental glaucoma
Recognising the symptoms of developmental glaucoma (also known as congenital glaucoma) can be difficult due to the young age of the baby or child. However, your child may display symptoms, such as:
1. Large eyes due to the pressure in the eyes causing them to expand
2. Being sensitive to light (photophobia)
3. Having a cloudy appearance to their eyes
4. Having watery eyes
5. Jerky movements of the eyes
6. Having a squint, which is an eye condition that causes one of the eyes to turn inwards, outwards or upwards, while the other eye looks forward