Cataract Surgery


Cataract is an opacity that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye and typically progresses slowly to cause vision loss. Cataract occurs 90% due to ageing; however, it might be seen in all age groups including newborn babies. Trauma, some pharmaceuticals, and diabetes may cause cataract; however, cataract may develop parallel with other eye diseases, such as uveitis and intraocular pressure. Birth originated cataract is caused by Rubella infection (measles) during the pregnancy. Lack of Vitamin C and long-term ultraviolet exposure may also accelerate cataract development.

Diagnosis: Cataract can be diagnosed by examining the patient's eye with a biomicroscope during a standard eye screening procedure.

Scheduling the surgery: If a diagnosed patient's daily life quality is affected and near- and/or far-side vision capacity is insufficient, cataract surgery may be scheduled.

Phacoemulsification Technique: In recently developing cataract surgeries, except for special cases, general and/or local anesthesia is no longer applied. Before the surgery 4-5 drops of sedative eye drops are dropped into patient's eye. After that the patient should lie down for 10-15 minutes.

                                   

Phacoemulsification starts with cutting the crystalline lens for 3 mm by a diamond blade and a special gel is injected into the eye. This gel protects the intraocular tissues.

A circular piece is removed from the anterior lens capsule. The hard-core underneath is broken up by phaco, a probe releasing ultrasonic waves, and removed.
                                   


After this, soft segments and anterior capsule cells between the lens capsule and hard-core are removed. Meanwhile, care must be taken not to damage the lens capsule, which is only 50 microns thick. The capsule, which has become like a transparent void, is filled with special gel.

                                   


Foldable lens is placed into the eye with a special probe, and then gel is cleansed away using serum-wash. Serum is given also applied to the cut area; hence, the cut it is joined without using any stitches. Thus, the cataract surgery is completed.


                                  



Healing period: Time required for the patient to regain clear vision depends on cataract's hardness. The healing period is short for soft, not fully developed cataracts, where as it is longer for hard, fully developed cataracts. For the latter, 1-2 weeks may be required for full recovery.

After the surgery: Patients must be very careful about keeping the hygiene and use eye drops for 1 month after the cataract surgery.

PHACO EMULSIFICATION

MULTIFOCAL LENS
IMPLANTATION