Cataract Surgery

The cataract is opacity in eye lens where eye lens becomes crystalline. It is slow process following gradual opacification yellowing causing total loss of vision.
Cataract surgery is performed when eye lens becomes entirely cloudy and has no alternative like glasses, medicines etc.
Surgery is performed into a hospital or a surgical centre. Local anesthesia is used for surgery. An ophthalmologist performs a surgery. The complication occurs rarely and in 90% cases, vision is regenerated.

Types Surgical removal of cataract is the most common process. It is more effective.
Cataract removal involves two types of surgeries, intra-capsular (ICCE or intra-capsular cataract extraction) and extra-capsular (ECCE or extra- capsular cataract extraction). ICCE is considered as an outdated method today. Phacoemulsification (phaco) is also used to remove cataract these days.
Usually Intraocular lens is inserted in the process of ECCE and phacoemulsification (phaco). Only difference between the two processes is that foldable lenses are used in phacoemulsification whereas non-foldable lens are used in ECCE. In ECCE technique, stitches are necessary while in phaco wound closer is possible without suture. In ECCE lens can be removed manually through incision of about 10-12 mm.

Need

Cataract surgery is performed when eye lens becomes entirely cloudy and has no alternative like glasses, medicines etc.

Procedure

In extra- capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) surgery, majority of lens capsule is kept undamaged and only lens is removed. Sometimes, phacoemulsification (High frequency sound waves) is used to break up lens before extraction.
Intra-capsular cataract extraction (ICCE) surgery involves total removal of lens with the use of lens capsules. In any extra- capsular cataract extraction or intra-capsular cataract extraction, removed cataract of lens is replaced with plastic lens. The plastic lens is known as an intraocular lens implant and is fixed permanently in eye. There are different ways of lens extraction. One of them is ultrasonic sound vibrations or a machine called cracker or chopper which is used to break the lens.

You will be asked to lie on the operative bed during the surgery. The sterile drapes will cover your head with oxygen provided under them. Local anesthesia is used for surgery. Eye lids are kept open with a small tool. solution is put on your eye to keep it hydrated. After completing the surgery, patient can go home immediately. Now-a-days, multi-focal lenses are available which keeps the patient less dependent on glasses after surgery. Former intraocular lenses were mono-focal as multi-focal lens costs more in some systems.
Blurry vision will be experienced for two or three days after the surgery. Eye drops will be prescribed for 2 or 3 weeks. If capsule opacification occurs, then capsulotomy is performed for restoration of vision.

Result

Cataract surgery helps the patient to achieve the clear vision. In most of the cases, the patient is relieved from wearing glasses after the surgery.

Consideration

Development of posterior capsular opacification is possible in some cases.
Weeks, months or years later a patient can develop uncommon retinal detachment.
A toxic anterior segment syndrome or tass is a condition occurring after a cataract surgery which is non infectious. Endophthalmitis is an infection caused by the intraocular tissues. It is followed by intraocular surgery. Swelling or edema may be possible. There may be cloudy vision. In rare cases, there is displacement of intraocular lens. In some cases you may develop glaucoma which is difficult to control it. If cataract is untreated, then it causes phacomorphic glaucoma.