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Medical Specialties |
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Catarct
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally transparent lens of the eye. With the increase in opacity of the lens, the light rays are prevented from focusing on retina, causing blurring of vision.
What causes cataract?
The normal process of aging causes the lens to harden and become cloudy (opaque). This is called age-related cataract and it is the most common type. It can occur anytime after the age of 40.
In younger people cataract can result from an injury, certain drugs, long-standing inflammation or illnesses such as diabetes. Babies can be born with this condition. This is called congenital cataract.
What are the symptoms of Cataract?
Are there different types of Cataracts?
There are mainly three types of cataract.
The Nuclear Cataract occurs in the center of the lens. This type is the most common form of cataract and is associated with the natural aging process.
The Cortical Cataract begins with spoke-like formation extending from the outside of the lens into the center. When the spokes reach the center, blurring and glare result in loss of vision. Diabetics commonly develop this type of cataract.
A Subcapsular Cataract develops very slowly and starts at the back of the lens. Symptoms may not appear until the opacity is well developed. Subcapsular cataracts are often found in patients with diabetes, high myopia, retinitis pigmentosa, and people taking steroids for extended periods.
What is the treatment for Cataract? Can it be cured by medicines?
Medications, eye drops, exercises or glasses cannot cause cataracts to disappear once they have formed. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.
What are the surgical options for cataract surgery, and which one is the best?
Today there are so many options in cataract surgery, e.g., routine extracapsular surgery with lens implant, phacoemulsification with a foldable or non-foldable lens implant, with or without stitches. The best procedure for a patient is usually the one with which his or her ophthalmologist feels the most comfortable, since these variations of cataract surgery are all quite effective. The patient should discuss the options with his or her ophthalmologist and the decision should be made on the basis of the requirements of the patient and expertise of the ophthalmologist.
What about pre-existing conditions?
Cataract surgery is beneficial even with the problems like macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes; the only limitation is that it may limit vision after surgery. If your eyes are healthy, the chances of restoring good vision following cataract surgery are excellent.
When should I have the surgery?
The cataract may need no treatment at all if the vision is only a little blurred. A change in your eyeglass prescription may improve vision for a while. If visual impairment interferes with your ability to read, to work, or to do the things you enjoy then you will probably want to consider surgery.
How is the surgery done?
After drops are used to numb the eye, a small, less than 3mm, incision is made. Special microsurgical instruments are used to break up and suction the lens fragments from the eye (phacoemulsification). The back portion of the lens capsule is left in place and polished for clarity. A small foldable intraocular lens will be inserted through the wound and unfolded in place of the natural lens. The incision is self-sealing so that no stitches are needed.
What precautions do I need to take after surgery?
The only and most important precaution is that you are NOT SUPPOSED TO RUB YOUR EYE for at least a week after the surgery and do not go swimming for two weeks after surgery.
You can return to your normal activities after surgery. You may bend, stoop over, go up and down stairs, watch TV, read or work in the garden as usual. You may take showers and shampoo your hair.
Is it still necessary to wear eye glasses after the Cataract Surgery?
Nowadays, cataract patients who have intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted during surgery may need reading glasses for close vision, but that's about it. In fact, with the newer multifocal IOLs, even reading glasses are unnecessary. People who don't receive IOLs wear contact lenses for distance vision, with reading glasses for close up. Or they may wear multifocal contact lenses for all distances. Rarely does anyone have to wear thick eyeglasses now.
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