Cataract

 Cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye which are treated to remove the cloudy lens of the eye with the help of cataract surgery. Cataract may causes clouded vision which can make it more difficult to drive a car or read any books or newspapers. Most of the cataracts develop gradually and do not disturb the eyesight in starting. But the cataract will effect the vision of your eyes with time. If you have a difficulty in reading or any other activities then you may need cataract surgery. Generally, cataract surgery is a very safe and effective procedure to improve the vision.

Introduction to Cataract Surgery

• Types of Cataract Surgery
• Benefits of Cataract Surgery
• How you prepare for cataract surgery
• Risks Associated with Cataract Surgical Procedures
• Cataract Surgery Cost in India

Cataract surgery is the process of removing the lens of the eye and replace it with an artificial lens. In most cases, cataract causes the lens to become cloudy and affects the vision. This type of surgery is performed by an eye doctor to treat the cataract. Generally, cataract surgery is very common and a safe procedure. If a cataract problem may occur in another eye, then cataract surgery can be recommended by the doctor.

What Are the Types of Cataract Surgery

There are three main types of cataract surgery procedures are discussed below –

1. Phacoemulsification

This type of cataract surgery is the most common procedure that can be used for cataract removal and is also called as Phaco. Normally, it takes more than 30 minutes in removing the cataract via phacoemulsification with local anesthesia or topical anesthesia. This type of cataract surgery involves high-frequency ultrasound that are breaking up cataracts into small pieces. After that, this ultrasound is delivered via a special handpiece, which cautiously separates and dissolves the lens. During surgery, once the lens has been broken the doctor removed the pieces through gentle suction. Later, the doctor will insert a specially designed implant that is known as an intraocular lens (IOL) and then place it where the natural lens used to be. After that, the doctor closes the incisions which were made during the start of the process by using a small amount of saline for swelling the surrounding cornea and sealing the opening. The time of this type of surgery may be around 10 to 15 minutes.

• Extracapsular cataract surgery –

 It is that type of cataract surgery procedure that can be used in case of highly advanced cataracts that is too dense for phacoemulsification. When the ultrasound is not able to break down the cataracts then the doctor may recommend extracapsular cataract surgery. A small incision is required for this type of cataract surgery technique thus the cataract may be removed in one piece in its place of being fragmented inside the eye. Later, some sutures are needed for closing the comparatively larger wound which also results in the slow recovery of the wound and visual function. The numbing medication is managed via an injection around the eye to initiate the cataract removal technique. It is important to note that an eye patch is also needed after this type of cataract surgery procedure.

• Intracapsular cataract surgery – Presently, this type of cataract surgery can be used under certain circumstances. This cataract removal technique requires an even larger incision than extracapsular cataract surgery. This type of cataract surgery can be required in rare cases. Intracapsular cataract surgery is a variation of extracapsular cataract surgery but with a larger incision. In this type of cataract surgical procedure, the Intraocular lens is placed in several locations in front of the iris.

Benefits of cataract surgery – There are several benefits of cataract surgery are discussed below –

1. Improve vision – In the cataract surgery, the surgeon replaces the clouded natural lens with a clear artificial lens that improves vision. There are about 95 percent of individuals who are suffered from the cataract have better vision after cataract surgery. After cataract surgical procedures, your eyesight may improve, and see clear objects, colors may see brighter, and easily read newspapers or magazines.
2. Healthy eye – The cataract can cause eye inflammation and increase pressure inside the eyes which may lead to glaucoma and many others eye problems. Several individuals with cataracts also have damaged retinas due to diabetes, Cataract surgery may prevent complications and protect the vision that boosts eye health.

• Prevent other eye complications – Cataract surgery may prevent several other eye complications or issues that promote eye health. Cataracts may enhance inflammation inside the eyes and cause several other eye issues that can affect vision. If you have a cataract and did not operate on time then they may progress into a stage known as hyper-mature. In this stage of cataract, the surgery may still perform but with a high risk of complications.
• Improve several symptoms of mild Alzheimer’s disease – As per the study, it suggested that a cataract can have many advantages for those individuals with the problem of mild Alzheimer’s disease. Cataract surgery can help individuals who are suffered from mild Alzheimer’s disease sleep better as per research.
• Boost the quality of life – People with a cataract may not able to read any books, drive any vehicle, and many more that can affect their mood and mental health. After cataract surgery, you can enjoy driving a car, and reading books that boost the quality of your life.

How you prepare before cataract surgery

To prepare for this surgery, you can instruct by doctor not to drink or eat anything 12 hours before the cataract surgical procedure. The doctor can also advise you to avoid temporarily stopping taking medicines which could enhance the risk of bleeding throughout the procedure. Before a cataract surgical procedure, a doctor might provide an ultrasound and take measurements that are beneficial in determining the shape and size of your eye which helps in deciding what is the best cataract surgical procedure for your surgery.

Risks Associated with Cataract Surgical Procedures – There are several risks and complications that are linked with cataract surgical procedures are given below –

1. Swelling of the retina
2. Bleeding in the eye
3. Loss of vision
4. Inflammation
5. Blurred vision
6. Discoloration of artificial lens
7. Harmful to many other parts of the eye
8. Glaucoma
9. Retinal detachment
10. Secondary cataract
11. Infection

The risks of complications after cataract surgery are increased when you are suffering from another eye disease. In rare cases, cataract surgery fails for better vision due to underlying eye damage from other several conditions such as macular or glaucoma degeneration. Thus, it can be beneficial to treat other eye diseases before cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery Cost in India – The average cost of cataract surgery is normally from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1,00,000. The cost of cataract surgery may be depended on what kind of hospital private or government, the fees of a doctor, the type of cataract surgery, and  the price of an artificial lens.

Success Rate of Cataract Surgery in India – The success rate of cataract surgery is about 98 percent for all ages in India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a cataract?

Ans – A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It may cause clouded vision which can make it more difficult to drive a car or read any books or newspapers. Most of the cataracts develop slowly and do not disturb the eyesight in starting. But a cataract will affect the vision of your eyes with time

• What is cataract surgery?

Ans – Cataract surgery is the process of removing the lens of the eye and replace it with an artificial lens. In most cases, cataract causes the lens to become cloudy and affects the vision. This type of surgery is performed by an eye doctor to treat a cataract.

• Is cataract surgery safe?

Ans – Yes cataract surgery is a very safe method or procedure.

• What are the different types of cataract surgery?

Ans – There are three types of cataract surgery are phacoemulsification, extracapsular cataract surgery, and Intracapsular cataract surgery.

• What are the advantages of cataract surgery?

Ans – There are several advantages of cataract surgery are given below –

• Cataract surgery may prevent complications and protect the vision which boosts eye health.
• Cataract surgery may improve your eyesight and you can see clearly objects, colors may see brighter, and easily read any newspapers or magazines.
• Cataract surgery may prevent several other eye complications or issues that promote eye health.
• Cataract surgery may improve vision as compared with before surgery.
• What are the risks that are related to cataract surgery?

Ans – There are several risks that are related to cataract surgery are given below –

• Glaucoma
• Vision loss
• Discoloration of artificial lens
• Retinal detachment
• Eye infection
• Swelling of the retina
• Bleeding in the eye
• What is the average cost of cataract surgery?

Ans – – The average cost of cataract surgery is normally from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1,00,000. that mainly depends on what kind of hospital private or government, the fees of a doctor, the method of cataract surgery, and the price of the artificial lens.

• What are the preparations before cataract surgery?

Ans – You can be instructed not to drink or eat anything 12 hours before the cataract surgical procedure. The doctor can also advise you to avoid temporarily stop taking medicines which could enhance the risk of bleeding throughout the procedure

• Is cataract surgery successful in India?

Ans – The success rate of cataract surgery is about 98 percent for all ages in India.