The Buyt Desk
Cataract is one of the common problems that people face with age. The natural lens of the eye wears out and causes blurry vision. What should you do if your loved one develops a cataract ? First of all you need not worry as cataract is not a serious problem any more. The procedure of getting rid of cataract is quick and almost painless. After that, don’t delay checking up with your doctor to know the next step. Your doctor will do the complete examination of your eye and might ask for surgery. It is the only treatment available for cataracts.
Though surgery is the only available treatment for cataracts, it does not mean you should get it done as soon as your doctor asks you to do so.
Knowledge about cataracts and the treatment available will help you decide the procedure.
Different Types Of Surgery Available For the Cataract
There are two types of clinical procedures available to treat cataracts.
Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery – It is the most common type of cataract surgery. In this procedure, an ophthalmologist makes a small cut in the eye to make its way to the clouded lens. Then through laser or high-frequency sound waves, the doctor breaks the clouded lens into small pieces and via suctions removes it from the eye, and then puts a new lens (permanent lens) at that place.
Extracapsular Cataract Surgery – Doctors choose this procedure when they find Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery is not for the patient. In this surgery, a larger cut is made in the eye. The whole lens is removed instead of breaking it into pieces. And then, the old lens is replaced by the new lens (Permanent one).
The surgery takes around an hour and is done with anaesthesia.
What Is The Right Time For Cataract Surgery?
If you have been diagnosed with a cataract at the age of 60 or plus years, most probably you know a lot of people who went through cataract surgery and have astonishing results.
At the same time, you might have met lots of people who have regrets about the surgery. They chose the wrong surgery, lens, and later faced difficulty in coping up with the new environment.
Some people prefer to wait till they have enough vision loss. However, the experts say it is better not to go for cataract surgery if the cataract is not causing discomfort, such as difficulty in reading newspapers, books, driving, engaging in hobbies like knitting, playing games, etc.
One should go for surgery only when the cataract has resulted in blurred vision.
Is Cataract Surgery Painful?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and least painful surgeries. The patient often does not feel anything during the surgery but might have mild pain or discomfort after that. In short, cataract surgery is safe and easy. It has no risk when done by expert surgeons.
People recover after a few hours of surgery. Nevertheless, it takes a week or more time to adjust to the new vision.
What Causes Cataract?
The eye lens is made up of water and protein. With age, protein in the eyes starts breaking down and depositing around the eyes. The lingering protein makes the lens cloudy and hard to see through. Some factors accelerate cataract formation in the eye, like diabetes, eye injuries, spending more time in sunlight without wearing sunglasses, radiation treatment in other parts of the body, etc. Gradually, the cataract leads to blurred vision or vision loss.
