Both are blinding eye diseases, but do you know the difference between cataracts and glaucoma?

Cataracts and glaucoma are both common eye diseases among middle-aged and elderly people, and both have the risk of causing blindness. Do you know the difference between the two?

Difference between glaucoma and cataracts

1. Different causes of disease.

Cataract is a clouding of the lens that causes blurred vision and decreased vision. The lesion is located in the lens.

Glaucoma is a general term for diseases characterized by pathological increase in intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve and visual field. The damage is to the fundus and optic nerve.

2. The symptoms are different.

Although both cataracts and glaucoma can cause decreased vision, cataract patients will feel a white obstruction in front of their eyes when looking at things, while glaucoma patients will not feel any obstruction when looking at things. In the later stages, patients will see darkness and even lose basic light perception. If the intraocular pressure of glaucoma patients is not controlled in time, the eyes will experience obvious pain, but cataracts do not cause obvious pain symptoms.

3. The treatment methods are different.

Glaucoma can be improved through various methods such as medication, laser, and surgery to reduce intraocular pressure and improve damage to the optic nerve; the main treatment for cataracts is surgery.

Can cataracts cause glaucoma?

It is possible that, as the cataract progresses, the lens will gradually thicken and make our anterior chamber crowded. If the patient's anterior chamber is relatively shallow or the periorbital area is relatively short, it can easily induce an acute attack of glaucoma. Therefore, cataracts also need to be treated promptly and should not be delayed.

Can glaucoma cause cataracts?

In some cases, such as acute glaucoma attacks, when intraocular pressure rises extremely, high intraocular pressure will affect the permeability of the lens capsule and the metabolism of the lens, leading to the formation of cataracts. Therefore, regular check-ups are required and any problems should be treated promptly.

Hua Xia, director of Tianjin University Aier Eye Hospital, said that whether it is glaucoma or cataracts, untimely treatment will cause great damage to visual function. As a high-risk group, middle-aged and elderly people should pay more attention to eye care in their daily lives. If eye problems occur, they need to seek medical attention in time and do not delay treatment.