Clear eyesight is possible if cataract is eliminated with Phaco Technique.
What Is Cataract, How Is It Treated?
Cataract is the decreased visual acuity due to loss of transparency in the native lens that is located in anterior-middle chamber of the eye.
Causes of Cataract
- Aging is the most common cause of cataract. Cataract is seen in five out of every 100 individuals in the age range of 50 to 65 years; this figure increases to 30-40 out of every 100 people after the age of 65. Cataract is detected in most of the more elderly people.
- It is more common in individuals with family history of cataract.
- The people with metabolic diseases, especially diabetes have higher risk for cataract.
- Blunt and sharp eye traumas,
- Long term corticosteroid use,
- Other ocular diseases,
- Over-exposure to sun light,
- Drugs like steroids are among important factors that lead to development of cataract.
What are symptoms of cataract?
While complaints vary depending on the type of disease, most critical sign is the poor vision. Poor vision becomes especially recognizable when the healthy eye is closed. Pale colors and yellowish discoloration of the eyesight are among common symptoms. Sensitivity to light at nights, difficulty reading and poor vision that intermittently occurs in dark or under sun light is noted in patients. Impairment of distant vision and short term improvement of near vision may occur due to pseudomyopia in some cataract cases.
How is cataract treated?
As medications have no effect on the treatment or prevention of cataract, medical treatment is not an option and the only treatment modality is surgery for cataract.
When should you undergo surgery?
The correct decision is to undergo surgery when blurred vision starts to affect the daily life. Especially those who drive vehicles should not delay the treatment. Elevated eye pressure and sometimes permanent loss of vision are likely, if the cataract is treated to late. In some cataract cases, driving at night may cause temporary and sudden onset loss of vision which leads to serious accidents due to headlights of other vehicles. Therefore you should see an ophthalmologist at regular intervals and undergo surgery at the date recommended by your physician if diagnosis of cataract is made. Removal of the opaque native lens before further solidification of the lens increases the success rate of especially novel surgical techniques.
How are the surgeries performed?
Cataract surgeries are performed without the need of hospitalization and they ensure quick return to daily life. Pupils are dilated and the eye is numbed with eye drops 1 hour before the surgery. With Phaco method, the ocular cavity is accessed through a small incision, measuring approximately 2 mm in length, the cataract layer is melted and extracted with ultrasound energy and replaced with an intra-ocular lens within 15 minutes. The wound recovery is much quicker and the surgical procedure is safer with this small incision. The visual acuity improves in patients who undergo surgery with PHACO method in a short period of time and they are able to return their normal lives near-immediately after the surgery depending on the difficulty of surgery and stiffness of the cataract. Postoperative patient satisfaction is over 95%. It is possible to resume the daily activities such as reading, watching television and driving within 1-2 days.
Multifocal Lenses
Monofocal lenses are used in most of the cataract surgeries. Therefore, individuals who frequently read books, use computers or drive may experience problems in near and middle-distance vision following the surgery. Multifocal lenses are developed to minimize problems that may occur following the cataract surgery and to avoid using eyeglasses in Ophthalmology Department of Hisar Intercontinental Hospital. This way, number of patients who require eyeglasses following the surgery is remarkably low. Reading distant texts and use of clocks, phones and computers are facilitated by multifocal lenses. Moreover, light scattering is decreased by these lenses which lead to a more natural vision.
Postoperative Considerations
- Do not, under any circumstances, rub or compress your operated eye.
- Avoid lying down on the side of your operated eye.
- The operated eye should not contact water and soap.
- Use protective glasses and eye-bands during windy and sunny days.
- Avoid strenuous physical activities.
- Do not drive unless and until approved by your physician.
- Do not neglect your control visits after the surgery.
- Use medications prescribed by your physician regularly.