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What is cataract ?
Cataract is clouding of natural lens in the eye which is responsible for focussing light and producing clear sharp images. With age, the chemical composition of the lens changes, causing blurred vision.Particular attention is given on retina and macula to
make sure that degeneration of that tissue is not contributing to vision loss.
Tasks once simple become difficult or impossible to perform.
Can cataract be prevented? Is there a cure? Till date, no preventive measures are known for cataracts that develop with aging process. No diets, drugs or medicines have been proven to delay or cure the developing cataract. But safe surgical procedures, coupled with appropriate corrective lenses, has preserved or restored sight for millions. Are there any Complications? Regardless of the procedure used, there always exists the possibility of complications. These are relatively rare and when they occur, the conditions can usually be corrected. However unexpected serious complications, such as infections or hemorrhage, can occur and cause a permanent decrease in vision . Fortunately, these complications are very rare, but it is necessary that you know the possibilities.Any time prior to the scheduled surgery, you will be asked to sign a medical information consent document for your operation indicating that you understand your diagnosis, the surgical procedure which you are about to undergo and the possibility of complications. If you do not understand, please feel free to ask us to explain further.
What are the treatment options? The only treatment currently available for cataract is surgery. In the modern cataract surgery, the clouded lens (cataract) is removed leaving a very thin shell or the "bag" which held the cataract. After surgery the "bag" will hold the new lens implant. What kind of surgery would I need? How safe is it? There are two types of surgeries available to you. The first technique is a conventional cataract surgery called extra -capsular cataract extraction (ECCE). This involves removing the cloudy lens in one piece and requires an incision of 10-12mm in length. Multiple stitches are required to seal the incision. The second technique is microincision cataract surgery called phaco emulsification. In this, a small ultra sound probe in inserted into the eye which breaks the cataract into tiny pieces and sucks (aspirates) them out. Phaco requires an incision of only 2.8-3.0 mm and no stitches!Cataract Surgery is usually highly successful and more than 90% of patients are able to regain good vision. Today, an estimated 25 lakh cataract operations are performed each year in India
What happens in surgery? Before surgery you may receive some medication to help you relax. Eye surgery is often performed using local anesthesia with some sedation. General anesthesia is available on a stand-by basis. Your doctor will decide which type of anesthesia will be administered to you. In any case, you will not feel any pain during the surgery. Surgery is performed after cleaning and draping the eye with sterile drapes. The surgery is performed under a powerful operating microscope to help the surgeon see clearly the delicate structures within your eye. The whole operation takes about an hour. Then a patch and shield will be placed over your eye to protect it from accidental rubbing or bumping. |
Conventional Cataract Incision |
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Microincision Cataract Surgery |
What post operative care is required?
After surgery you should be able to resume most activities almost immediately. Your doctor will caution you, though, against heavy lifting and strenuous exercise, to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the tiny structures, as your eye heals. You will be given a eye shield to wear at night for the first week and eye drops to use daily according to your doctors instructions. Vision usually improves within a few days, but complete healing of the eye takes about a month. Vision continues to improve as the eye heals.The medication routine is very important and you should stick to the schedule prescribed for your eye by your doctor.
Medical follow up is very important during the first few weeks after your surgery. For this reason, you will be given appointments for a series of post-operative examination.
It usually requires approximately three to four weeks for the eye to be healed sufficiently to prescribe the first glasses. It is not unusual for corrective lenses to need a power change sometime during the first post operative year as the eye completes its healing.
What are the benefits to me from phaco surgery? Smaller the wound (incision), faster the healing and visual rehabilitation. The need for spectacles is also minimized after the surgery. How soon after surgery will I be able to see? In ECCE, it would take about 8 weeks for full recovery of vision. In phaco, however, vision could be restored in a day or two. Will my activities be restricted after surgery? They may not be, depending on your general health and the condition of your eye after your surgery. After a short time you can resume your active life style. Can I have microsurgery on one eye, if I have previously had conventional cataract surgery for my other eye? Yes, if your total eye health is okay, you can have micro-incision surgery for your second eye. What are the types of implant? Are they always accepted by my body? The lens implant is called intra ocular lens. There are two types of IOLs available-rigid and foldable.Non foldable IOLs are made of PMMA, a hard plastic material, in use since 1949. Foldable IOLs are made of silicon, in use for over 11 years. Unlike organ transplants, IOLs are composed of biological materials. So there is no question of "rejection" of the IOL by the eye. Moreover, the IOLs are time tested and of proven material.
Why should I go in for a foldable IOL? To fully reap the advantages of micro incision in a phaco surgery, you need a foldable IOL. The state-of-the art silicon IOLs are folded and inserted into the bag. There they unfold. They pass through an incision as small as 2.8-3.0mm with the help of newest generation of unfolders. Thus your surgery will be almost an outpatient procedure! No blood, no stitch. Only micro-incision foldable IOLs can make it for you. Are they not too costly? Just compare the disadvantages of traditional surgery, anesthesia, inability to attend work/business for some days, poor vision etc.. You will yourself appreciate that the marginal increase in cost of surgery is more than compensated.Indeed, You deserve the best.
Will I need glasses after surgery? Very often not. You may need to wear glasses only to fine tune your vision. These are normal glasses and not those "thick" spectacles as in the past.Cataract surgery with intra ocular lens implantation has become a routine and safe operation, performed on hundreds of thousands of people each year. Recent advances in microsurgical techniques and new developments in intra ocular lenses offer encouraging options to the cataract sufferer and favor a successful operation for you and restoration of your vision. If you decide to have the surgery done by us, we guarantee you the highest standard of eye care.
YAG Laser Capsulotomy: Following a cataract extraction, in some cases, after some time the posterior portion of the lens capsule may cloud, obscuring the vision. For useful vision to be restored, an opening must be made in the capsule so light may once again reach the back of the eye. The opening may be accomplished through conventional surgery, or with a non- invasive laser procedure. The laser enables the surgeon to cut tissue inside the eye without making a surgical opening in the eye. A YAG laser capsulotomy is a relatively painless surgical procedure, designed to restore visual acuity immediately. What to do After Cataract Surgery Follow up care is crucial in making your surgery a complete success.In case of emergency if your doctor is not available, ask for the nurse on call.
Protect Your Operated Eye During Activity Your operated eye is very sensitive right now. The incision is being held together by only a few (if any) fine stitches. Here's how to protect it:USE A METAL OR PLASTIC EYE SHIELD OR WEAR YOUR GLASSES. A shield or glasses help protect your eye from being injured. The doctor will tell you how long to keep using the metal or plastic shield, but a month is about average.
AVOID HEAVY LIFTING. For at least a month, or until your doctor tells you, do not carry heavy bags (such as groceries or laundry) or lift heavy items (such as boxes).
TO PICK UP THINGS, BEND AT THE KNEES. Do not bend over, because that can cause pressure on the incision.
READING, WATCHING TELEVISION AND WALKING ARE OK. It is safe to do all normal activities indoors. You can feel free to sew, do office work and move about carefully.
Safely Use Eyedrops and Eyeglasses
Your eye drops are important to help you heal faster. Please use the drops as directed, and always follow these simple steps to put them in safely:
PLACE BOTTLE BETWEEN THUMB AND FOREFINGER OF ONE HAND, AND USE THE MIDDLE FINGER OF THE OTHER HAND TO PULL DOWN THE LOWER EYE LID. Put the bottle in your "good" hand, regardless of what side is the "operated eye." is on. You'll be more accurate that way.
SQUEEZE ONE DROP INTO THE LITTLE CREVICE BETWEEN THE LOWER EYELID AND THE EYE. Never touch your eyelid with the tip of the bottle.
PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM BRIGHT LIGHT AND GLARE. Wear sunglasses or wear wraparound, plastic dark glasses over your regular glasses in bright sunlight.
HOLD GLASSES BY THE ENDS WHEN PUTTING THEM ON. Put your fingers on the ends of the temple pieces to keep them from scratching or poking you in the eye.
Clean Your Eye and Maintain Good Personal Hygiene
Cleanliness is as important as your medication in the healing process. Whenever you are in the bathroom or at the sink, remember:
CLEANSE EYELIDS AT LEAST TWICE A DAY, especially when you wake up in the morning. That's when mucus has collected and might make it difficult to open your eye.
WIPE GENTLY WITH A STERILE COTTON BALL. Dampen it with lukewarm water and gently wipe the lid at the lash line to remove crusted matter.
DO NOT PRESS ON YOUR EYE.
TAKE A TUB BATH RATHER THAN SHOWER FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER SURGERY. Do not get bathwater in your eye!
IF YOU MUST SHAMPOO, bend your head back and let the water run away from your face. Cataract Surgery is "Same Day" Surgery - Make Plans for the Trip Home Cataract surgery has changed a lot in the last several years. You may remember family or friends staying in the hospital for days! Now, however, thanks to modern microsurgical techniques, most people having cataract surgery go home the same day.
Plan to:
GET YOUR PRESCRIPTION FILLED BY NEARBY PHARMACY. Call Your Doctor or the Hospital Emergency Room if these Symptoms Occur
After cataract surgery, it is normal for your eye to feel itchy or scratchy, like something is in it. Your eye will be red for a few days. However, you should immediately seek help if: