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What is Cataract ( Safed Motiabind)?
Cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. This prevents the passage of the light and makes everything look blurred and hazy.
Who gets Cataract?
Cataract is usually a disease of old age, but anyone can get it, especially after trauma or along with some other disease. Sometimes children may be born with a cataract (congenital cataract) or it may present in adolescence or early adulthood (Developmental cataract).
What are the symptoms of cataract?
Cataract can lead to decreased vision, glare, double vision, altered colour perception, haloes around lights and decreased contrast sensitivity. Cataract rarely causes pain or redness unless there is a complication.
Is Cataract treatable?
Yes, Cataract is treatable by surgery. There is no known medical treatment for cataract.
When should cataract be treated?
In the early stages, the vision can be improved by a change in glasses. Anytime the patient feels that glasses are no longer adequate and feels hampered in their activities, surgery can be undertaken. Maturity of cataract is NOT a criteria. One should not wait for it to “ripen”
Does waiting to long cause any problem?
Yes, the longer we wait the cataract becomes mature and hardens. This makes the surgery more difficult later on. Also mature cataract can lead to secondary conditions like glaucoma, inflammation etc.
What are the surgical options?
Surgical Options are: Extra capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE) or Phacoemulsification (Without Stitches).
What is Phacoemulsification?
Phacoemulsification or Phaco is the most advanced technique of cataract extraction. In this method, the procedure is performed through a very small incision (2-3mm), so is also called Micro-incision cataract surgery or MICS. The instrument uses ultrasound vibrations to break the cataract into small pieces and with the help of vacuum all the pieces of the cataract are sucked out. A new lens, that is an intra-ocular lens (IOLs) is inserted into the eye. The surgery is completed without any stitches. This minimal incision allows faster and safer healing, hastening the return to normal activity.
What are the post-operative care is required?
Since this is a sutureless operation, there are very few restrictions after the surgery. There is no need for bandages, green shades, dark glasses etc. There are no restrictions on eating and other activities. Eyedrops are prescribed which need to be applied for 4-6 weeks .
What is Intra Ocular Lens (IOL)?
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are different from contact lenses. During Phaco surgery, the IOL of appropriate power fitted inside the eye. The foldable IOls can be inserted through very small. These are made of high quality material .They unfold in the eye and are permanent and lifelong.
What are the Types of IOLs ?
• Non-Foldable & Foldable
• Aberration Free Aspheric IOL Foldable.
• Multifocal IOLs : Lens for both distance & near , Trifocal lenses: Covering distance, intermediate & reading vision
• Toric IOLs : To correct preexisting cylindrical number
Is the procedure painful?
No, most of the cases can be done under topical anesthesia. In this, eye drops are instilled to anesthetize the eye and the procedure is done. Sometimes, if the patients is unable to co-operate or the cataract is mature/hard an injection might be needed to anesthetize the eye.
Will I need glasses after Phacoemulsification
If a monofocal lens is used, you would need only reading glasses. However, if a Multifocal or Trifocal lens is used, the need for glasses is much reduced.
What are the advantages of Phacoemulsification/ MICS ( Micro-incision cataract surgery)?
Since this is a minimally invasive surgery, the healing is very fast and thus there is almost immediate rehabilitation. There are no stitches so no pain or irritation. There are no restrictions and the patient can quickly return to a normal life.