Cataract

Cataract is clouding of the natural lens, which initially leads to blurring of vision and later to blindness. 

Surgery is the only treatment. This involves the removal of the clouded lens and its replacement with a synthetic clear intraocular lens (IOL).The IOL is permanent and provides natural peripheral vision and good depth perception. 

Ophthalmologist is currently embracing surgical procedures that are done through smaller incisions. This surgical technique is called as phacoemulsication or phaco surgery. 

An early sign is increasing glare from strong sunlight or bright lights at night. This may become quite bothersome and you may notice halos around different light sources such as car headlights. 

Colours that are normally bright and vibrant, may appear faded and washed out-especially greens and blues.

And most noticeably, your vision will become blurred and hazy, making it difcult to read small print or perform other tasks. If you experience some or all of these symptoms it is time for you to visit an ophthalmologist 

Many people believe cataracts have to be ripe before they can be removed. This is no longer true. Today, cataract surgery is a routine procedure that can be performed as soon as your vision interferes with the quality of your life. 

Depending upon the vision or sometimes type of cataract. If vision is low and can go within few days and if the cataract is matured then will have to get the surgery done. Your surgeons will advice you on that. Patients with low vision are more prone to accidents both inside and outside the house. 

Over time, the clouded areas of your lens can become larger and more dense, causing your sight to become worse. This could take anywhere from a few months to many years. Eventually, your entire lens can cloud over leading to blindness. 

Once a cataract has been removed it cannot return. However, over time some patients may complain that their Vision has once again become cloudy. This condition is known as secondary cataract. It can be easily and rapidly treated by a simple laser procedure performed in the office. 

 The Advance technique for cataract removal is called phacoemulsification.

This technique uses a machine to break up the lens by ultrasound energy and wash out the pieces through a very small incision. We have ultra modern sophisticated phacoemulsification machines just to do just that. 

The foldable Intraocular lens injected into the eye through the small incision. It unfolds once it is in the eye. 

The extremely small (2.2 mm) incision allows the surgery to be completed without sutures and the recovery is extremely fast. 

Aberration free lenses give a distortion free image. 

For people with cylindrical numbers, toric lenses reduce the cylindrical number 

Multifocal lenses have multiple rings which focus at different distances thus reducing the need for glasses for near, distance and intermediate distances. Multifocal lenses reduce the dependence on glasses. 

The latest lenses available now are a combination of toric and multifocal lenses for people who have cylindrical numbers and do not wish to wear glasses.
 

No single lens works best for everyone and only your ophthalmologist can determine the most appropriate option for you. 

Cataract surgery has a overall success rate of 98% or greater. Continuous innovations in techniques and instruments have made the procedure safer than earlier.  

In the most of the cases 70-80% of vision is gained on the next day n the remaining is covered with the eye drops. The vision will be bright and pretty much clear the day after surgery. Full vision will be restored gradually in a few days time. Objects may appear excessively bright & blue in colour for some days. All these complaints are temporary. 

Surgery would take around 15-20 min n u can go home immediately After the surgery.

 There is no problem in travelling even on the day after the surgery. Any amount of travel is absolutely ne provided one remembers to apply the eye drops. Timings will be given for the application of the eye drops, but an hour this way or that does not cause any problem. 

Plan to spend the day resting quietly when you return home after surgery. 

For a day or two, avoid exerting yourself, and do not carry anything heavy. Your vision will be blurry at first, so be extra careful to avoid falling or bumping. If you feel like it, you can read, watch TV, and do simple chores. 

You can resume your normal diet and take you usual medications unless advised otherwise.

 You can do most of the things you feel like doing, including walking, driving, exercise and stretching. If you work at a desk in an office, you can return to work.

Expect your vision to be blurry at first. Also your vision may change from time to time during the day. Your vision will improve over few days as your eyes adjust to working together. Your rate of healing may be faster or slower than that of others.

 We will call you for check up the day after surgery. This checkup will take about half an hour. If you have questions or concerns write them down before your next visit. 

You will be prescribed eye drops to help healing and prevent infection or inflammation. 

Follow our instructions carefully. Take help of a family member or friend to put the medicine in your eye. 

If you have pain that is not relieved by the medicine prescribed, call us.

No head bath for 2 days, do not touch n rub n splash water on your eyes for 2 days Don’t go near to the cooking gas for 2 days. 

No Need for bed rest after surgery. One can walk, eat normally, watch TV and be normal around home on the day of the surgery. 

One needs some protective glasses only when outdoors.

• You have severe pain, redness & dimness in vision.
• Your vision becomes suddenly worse.
• You see flashes of light in your field of vision. 
• You see what appears to be a curtain coming down across your field of vision.