It is possible to start seeing clearly by getting rid of cataracts with the FAKO method.
What is Cataract, How is it Treated?
Cataract is the loss of transparency of the lens located in the front-middle part of the eye, resulting in decreased vision.
Causes of Cataract
- Aging: It is the most important cause of cataract. While cataracts are seen in five out of 100 people in the 50-65 age group, this number rises to 30-40 out of 100 people over the age of 65. Most people of advanced age have cataracts.
- It is more common in those with a family history of cataracts.
- Cataracts are more frequently seen in individuals with metabolic diseases, especially diabetes.
- Traumas such as blunt and penetrating eye injuries,
- Long-term use of corticosteroids,
- Other eye diseases,
- Excessive exposure to sunlight,
- Medications such as steroids can be counted among the most important causes of cataract formation.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
Although the complaints vary depending on the type of the disease, the most significant symptom is decreased vision. Especially when the healthy eye is covered, the complaint of decreased vision becomes apparent. Fading and yellowing of colors are also among the most common symptoms. Nighttime light sensitivity, difficulty in reading, and sometimes decreased vision in darkness or sunlight can be observed. In some cataracts, distant vision may deteriorate due to false myopia, while near vision may temporarily improve.
How is cataract treated?
Since no contribution has been found for the treatment of cataracts or preventing their development with medications, medical treatment is not an option, and the only treatment method is surgical.
When should surgery be performed?
The most appropriate choice is to have surgery as soon as blurred vision begins to affect daily life. Especially those who drive should not delay treatment. In advanced cataracts, it is possible to experience increased eye pressure and sometimes permanent vision loss. In some cataracts, oncoming lights while driving at night can cause temporary and sudden vision loss, leading to serious accidents. Therefore, if diagnosed with cataract, you should regularly visit your eye doctor for check-ups and have surgery at the time recommended by your doctor. Especially with new surgical methods, removing the cataract before it becomes very hard increases the success of the surgery.
How are surgeries performed?
These are surgeries that can be performed without hospitalization and allow for a very easy return to daily life. One hour before the surgery, drops are instilled in the patient’s eyes to dilate the pupils and numb the eye. Using the FAKO method, in a short time of about 15 minutes; a small incision of approximately 2 mm is made to enter the eye, and the cataractous layer is melted and removed using ultrasound energy, and an intraocular lens is placed in its place. Thanks to this small incision, healing is faster, and the surgical procedure is safer. Patients who undergo surgery with the FAKO method experience a significant increase in their vision levels in a very short time; depending on the difficulty of the surgery and the hardness of the cataract, they can almost return to their daily lives immediately after the surgery. Patient satisfaction after surgery is over 95%. It is possible to return to daily activities such as reading, watching television, and driving within a couple of days.
Multifocal Lenses
In cataract surgeries, monofocal (single-focus) lenses are mostly used. Therefore, after surgeries, especially those who constantly read books, use computers, and drive may experience difficulties at near and intermediate-far distances. To minimize postoperative problems and to avoid the need for glasses, multifocal (multi-focus) lenses have been developed in cataract surgeries performed by our Department of Ophthalmology at Hisar Intercontinental Hospital. Thus, the need for glasses after surgery is almost negligible. With multifocal lenses, reading distant texts, using watches, phones, and computers becomes easier. Additionally, these lenses reduce light scattering, providing a more natural vision.
Post-Surgery Care Instructions
- Do not rub or apply pressure to your operated eye.
- Do not lie on the side of your operated eye.
- The operated eye should not come into contact with water or soap.
- Use protective glasses and an eye patch in windy and sunny weather.
- Avoid heavy physical activities.
- Do not drive without your doctor’s approval.
- Do not skip your post-operative check-ups.
- Use the medications prescribed by your doctor regularly.
