What is cataract?
Cataract is the clouding of the transparent lens inside the eye, which normally focuses light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye to create a clear image of what we see. When this lens becomes cloudy, light rays cannot pass through it easily, leading to blurred vision. Cataracts often develop with aging or due to other factors.
How is cataract treated?
Cataract may not require treatment if vision is only slightly blurred, and changing prescription glasses can improve vision temporarily. However, medications, eye drops, eye exercises, or glasses cannot treat cataract once it has formed. Surgery is the only way to remove it, especially if the patient cannot see clearly or live normally.
How is surgery performed?
A small incision is made in the eye using a surgical microscope, and fine instruments are used to break up and suction out the cloudy lens from inside the eye, leaving the back layer of the lens, called the “posterior capsule,” intact. A transparent plastic lens is placed in the position of the old cloudy lens on top of the posterior capsule. The new lens is small and does not require stitches.
Complications
Possible complications include infection, bleeding, swelling, or retinal detachment. Consult a doctor immediately if there is pain that doesn’t go away with painkillers, vision loss, eye injury, nausea, or coughing.
Does cataract surgery improve vision?
Even if cataract surgery is successful, the patient may not achieve desired vision due to other eye conditions, such as macular degeneration (age-related retinal degeneration), glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Nonetheless, cataract surgery remains significant, as it improves vision in about 95% of cases, with only a small percentage of patients experiencing complications.
How is cataract surgery conducted?
Once the patient and doctor agree on cataract removal, a comprehensive medical examination is conducted to ensure the patient is free from any illnesses. The patient should ask the doctor about continuing specific medications. The doctor also measures the eye to determine the lens power to be implanted during surgery.
After surgery:
The patient should follow these instructions:
- Use eye drops as prescribed by the doctor.
- Avoid rubbing or pressing on the eye.
- Use painkillers if experiencing pain.
- Avoid vigorous movements until the wound heals.
- Ask the doctor about when to resume driving.
- Use prescribed glasses or an eye shield as advised by the doctor.
Surgery day:
The patient arrives at the hospital on the morning of surgery, and the doctor may advise fasting depending on the surgery time. Upon arrival, the patient is given eye drops and some medications to assist the eye.
A local anesthetic is used, and the patient feels no pain during the surgery. The skin around the eye is carefully cleaned, and a sterile drape is placed around the head. After the surgery, the doctor places a shield over the eye.
After a short time in the recovery room, the patient can go home accompanied by a relative or friend.