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. Top
|
