Cataracts (Chinese version)

What is cataract？

白内障是什么？

• Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.
• 白内障是指眼睛内的晶状体发生混浊并因此影响视力。白内障可以发生于单眼或双眼，但不会由一只眼蔓延到另一只眼。
• The eye is like a camera.  The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina.  The retina is like film in a camera.  It is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
• 眼睛好比是一架照相机。晶状体是眼内一个透明的部分，用来将光线和影像聚焦于视网膜；视网膜是位于眼球后部的感光组织，就像是照相机中的底片。

Who is at risk of getting cataracts?

谁会有罹患白内障的风险？

• Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people.  By age 80, more than half of all people either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
• 大部分白内障与年龄相关，白内障在老年人中非常普遍。到了80岁，有超过一半以上的正常老人患有白内障或已经接受了白内障手术。

What causes cataracts?

白内障的病因是什么？

• Aging changes in the protein of the lens
• 晶状体中蛋白质发生老龄性改变
• Family history
• 家族史
• Environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight
• 环境性因素，例如暴露在日光下
• Certain diseases such as diabetes
• 某些疾病，例如糖尿病
• Certain personal behaviours such as smoking
• 某些个人行为，例如吸烟
• Certain medications
• 某些药物
• Eye injury
• 眼部外伤

How does it affect your vision?  What symptoms should you look for?

白内障是如何影响视力的？患者会发现哪些症状？

• Cataract can cause
• 白内障会引起
• A general clouding on the vision like looking through a dirty car windshield. 
• 视力的普遍下降，看东西好像透过一片脏的汽车挡风玻璃。
• Glare and haloes, especially under bright light
• 眩光或光晕，尤其在强光照射下
• In inability to distinguish colours
• 辨色障碍
• Difficulty seeing at night
• 夜间视物困难
• It is painless
• 白内障是无痛性的
• As cataract progress, it can lead to rapid changes in glasses prescription
• 随着白内障的进展，可以导致频繁的更换眼镜处方。

How is it diagnosed?

如何诊断白内障？

• Cataracts are diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam by an eye care professional (ophthalmologist or optometrist)
• 白内障需要由眼科保健专业人士（眼科医生或验光师）进行全面的眼科检查确诊。

How is it treated?

白内障该如何治疗？

• The symptoms of early cataract may be improved with new eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. 
• 早期白内障的症状可以通过更换新眼镜，提高照明度，佩戴抗眩光眼镜或放大镜得以改善。
• If these measures do not help, surgery is the only effective treatment.
• 如果以上方法没有帮助，手术是唯一有效的治疗手段。
• Cataract surgery is among the most highly perfected, safe and successful procedures in medicine.  More than 95% of patients have improved vision after surgery. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.
• 白内障手术是最完美，安全，有效的医学手术之一。超过95%的病人视力在手术后得以提高。手术过程包括摘除混浊的晶状体和植入人工晶状体。

When is a cataract ready for surgery?

什么时候的白内障需要手术治疗？

• Surgery is indicated when vision loss interferes with your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. 
• 当白内障引起的视力障碍影响到患者的日常生活，例如驾车、阅读、看电视等，就应该考虑手术治疗。
• Sometimes a cataract should be removed even if it does not cause problems with your vision. For example, a cataract should be removed if it prevents examination or treatment of another eye problem, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy. 
• 有时尽管白内障并没有引起视力障碍也需要考虑摘除。比如，当白内障影响了对其他眼科疾病的检查和治疗时，像老年性黄斑变性或糖尿病性视网膜病变，也应该予以摘除。

How can we prevent cataract?

我们如何才能防止白内障？

• Wear sunglasses and hat to block out UV light
• 佩戴太阳镜和凉帽阻挡紫外线
• If you smoke, stop smoking
• 吸烟者请戒烟
• Good nutrition including foods high in antioxidants such as green leafy vegetables and fruits
• 优良的营养，包含有高抗氧化剂的食物，例如绿叶蔬菜和水果。

How often should you go for eye exam?

多久应该进行一次眼科检查？

• Everyone over the age 65 should have their eye examined annually and this is covered by OHIP
• 65岁以上老人应该每年进行一次眼科检查，这是由OHIP保险涵盖的。
• Those under 65 should also have their eyes examined every 1 to 2 years
• 65岁以下人群应该每1-2年进行一次眼科检查。