WHAT IS CATARACT?
Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye which causes blurred or hazy vision.
WHAT CAUSES CATARACT?
Cataract occur as a person ages, called age-related cataracts. Other causes include trauma, systemic diseases, metabolic disorders and long term use of drugs.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CATARACT?
· Cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision.
· Changes in the way you see colors.
· Problems driving at night because incoming headlights seem too bright.
· Problems with glare from lamps or the sun.
· Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription.
· Double vision.
HOW IS CATARACT DIAGNOSED?
A regular eye exam is all that is needed to find a cataract. Your eye doctor will ask you to read a letter chart to see how sharp your sight is.
HOW IS CATARACT TREATED?
A change in your glasses, stronger bifocals may help improve your vision. The way to surgically treat a cataract is to remove the lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens.
HOW DO I DECIDE WHETHER TO HAVE SURGERY?
Your doctor cannot make your decision for you, but talking with your doctor can help you decide. Tell your doctor how your cataract affects your vision and your life. Do you see well enough to do your work? Do you see well enough to do the things you need to do at home?
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT SURGERY?
Modern day cataract surgery, in most cases, does not require a stay overnight in a hospital. In the present setting, you visit the outpatient center, have your cataract removed, and leave when the doctor says you are fit to leave–most often the same day. However, you will need a friend or family member to take you home. Pre and postoperative care is performed in cooperation with your family eye doctor.
Cataract Surgery:
There are two types of surgery to remove lenses that have a cataract:
Conventional Extra capsular surgery. The eye surgeon removes the lens, leaving behind the back half of the capsule (the outer covering of the lens). A person who has cataract surgery usually gets an artificial lens placed inside the eye.
Phaco emulsification: In this type of modern day micro-incision surgery, the surgeon softens the lens with sound waves and removes it through a small needle 0.9 mm tip. A foldable IOL is placed inside the eye through a small 2.2 mm incision which heals on its own and does not require any suture.
| Type |
Conventional |
Latest and sophisticated |
| Incision size | 10 – 12mm | 2.8 – 3.2 mm |
| Surgery | Lens is removed as one piece normally | Lens is extracted by fragmenting into tiny pieces with ultrasound energy and sucked out with a suction device |
| Closure of wound | Multiple stitches are required | Self sealing wound, hence no stitches required |
| Rehabilitation | Takes at least 6 weeks to heal and the vision to clear | Takes only one or two days to heal |
| Comfort | Irritation and pain may persist for 4 or 5 weeks | Patient is comfortable in one or two days. |
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUSTIONS
· Administer drugs and tablets as per doctor’s instructions.
· Medicines for general health conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, asthma to be continued as before.
· Avoid direct injury to the eye
· No diet restrictions need to be followed, unless indicated
· Head bath can be taken only after your doctor allows, usually after a week.
· Severe pain, redness, drop in vision are indications for immediate consultation with Doctor, without panic.
· Patient can watch TV, read books, take walks etc.