- Treatment for cataract is always by an operation to remove the opaque lens from the eye.
- No medicine or drops can remove the cataract or opacity of the lens.
When should one be operated for Cataract?
When a cataract causes enough loss of sight to interfere with the patient’s routine lifestyle, it is time to remove it. Depending on individual needs, the patient and the ophthalmologist decide together when the cataract should be operated.
DO NOT WAIT FOR THE CATARACT TO GET MATURE as unnecessary delay can lead to avoidable complications and more difficult surgery. Cataract surgery can be undertaken successfully in any season. Summer season have absolutely no effect on the outcome of the cataract surgery. In short, whenever a patient is visually handicapped to carry on his / her daily activities, it is time to consider cataract surgery.
About Cataract Surgery
There are several surgical techniques for cataract removal. Cataract surgery through phacoemulsification is the most modern and advanced method for performing cataract surgery The operating surgeon is the best person to decide which technique is likely to yield the best result.
Phacoemulsification through a small incision is the most advanced method and allows safe and predictable surgery. A small instrument called the phaco probe is introduced within the eye. Ultrasonic vibrations generated within the probe break the cataract into multiple small pieces (emulsification), which are then removed using a suction device through the same probe. After removing the cataract, a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye through this small incision.
Advantages of Topical Phacoemulsification
Types of Intraocular Lenses
Mono-focal Non-Aspheric IOL: With this lens, the patient is required to wear spectacles selectively for distance and near vision to obtain clear vision as this IOL has only one point of focus. However, less contrast sensitivity and sharpness of vision compare to Aspheric IOL.
Mono-focal Aspheric IOL: With this lens, the patient is required to wear spectacles selectively for distance and near vision to obtain clear vision as this IOL has only one point of focus. However, the asphericity of the IOL leads to improved contrast sensitivity and sharpness of vision.
Toric IOL: It is meant for patients with existing corneal astigmatism (cylindrical numbers). It gives good quality distance vision with less dependence on glasses; patients will still require glasses for tasks such as reading or working at the computer.
Multifocal IOL: The lens is designed to provide both near and distance vision and thereby reduce spectacle dependency.
Multifocal Toric IOL: This lens has unique properties of multifocality as well as toxicity. It offers minimal dependence on glasses to patients who have pre-existing corneal astigmatism, thus allowing a full range of distance, intermediate, and near vision, Your doctor will suggest which IOL is suitable for your eye condition and your visual requirement.