About Cataract
Cataract is clouding of the eye's natural lens. It is a natural process of ageing. Every individual gets it sooner or later. Cataract impairs focusing of light on the retina and hence blurs vision.
Symptoms of Cataract
People with cataract, even when wearing glasses, typically experience:
Glare at night
Difficulty in recognizing colours
Foggy/smoky vision
Frequent changes in their glass prescription
Types of Cataract
Senile Cataract (Due to old age)
Congenital Cataract (Occurs by birth)
Traumatic Cataract (Due to eye injuries)
Steroid-Induced Cataract (Side effects of drug)
Treatment for Cataract
There are no medicines with proven efficacy to prevent or treat cataract. The only effective treatment is surgical removal of cataract. Diabetes, hypertension and other general health problems are not a contraindication for cataract surgery and the cataract need not ‘mature’ for surgery.
The treatment options available for cataract in our hospital are:
Phacoemulsification with Foldable Monofocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation
Phacoemulsification with Foldable Multifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation
Phacoemulsification with Foldable Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation (Monofocal/Multifocal)
Phacoemulsification technique
Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification through a micro-incision and implanting a foldable lntraocular lens is a definite technological advancement from conventional surgery. The cloudy cataractous lens is aspirated out with a suction device.
The IOL is injected into the eye through the small incision and it unfolds and is positioned correctly in the eye. It can be Monofocal, Multifocal or Toric lens depending on the requirement of the patient, which will be decided by the surgeon in agreement with the patient. The surgical procedure is done under local/topical anesthesia and the incision is so small that it heals by itself.
Advantages
Self sealing, micro-incision (2.2 mm)
Non-invasive and painless
Shorter overall duration of surgery
Less post-operative discomfort
Early rehabilitation
Perfect early restoration of vision
Wound stability is far better since the entire surgery is done through a very small opening