Faq - Cataract
What is cataract?
Cataract is clouding of the crystalline lens in the eye which usually occurs with old age.
What happens when we get cataract?
The symptoms a person notices depends on the type and stage of cataract. Vision is blurred or reduced. Some people notice glare while driving at night facing head lights. Perception of colors and contrast sensitivity (ability to distinguish between light and dark shades) are reduced. If neglected, vision is reduced to a level that we cannot do our daily activities safely.
How does cataract develop?
The clouding of the crystalline lens result due to aging and hence is unavoidable in anybody. Therefore, cataract is essentially a process due to aging in the eye. However, cataract can be caused at any age due to certain other causes like diabetes mellitus especially if uncontrolled, injury to the eye, inflammation within the eye, exposure to ultraviolet radiation or due to prolonged intake of certain medications like steroids.
How can cataract be prevented?
There is no scientifically proven and effective modality for prevention of cataract.
Do both eyes get affected by cataract?
The condition usually affects both eye but almost always one eye affected earlier than the other.
Is there any non – surgical treatment available for cataract?
No, there are no medications or eyedrops that have been proved to dissolve or remove cataract eliminating the need for surgery
What is the treatment for cataract?
Surgical removal of the cataract and implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is the only definitive treatment for cataract.
When should a cataract be operated?
The ideal time to operate upon a cataract is when the patient is not able to safely do their daily activities.
What are the requirments to be fulfilled before a patient gets cataract surgery done?
- Patient need to get a detailed eye examination, power of the intraocular lens IOL) needs to be calculated by the ophthalmologist
- Diabetes, hypertension, cardiac problems, asthma need to under good control and patient in reasonable good health before surgery
- ECG and a few blood tests need to be done before surgery
- Few eye drops need to be applied a few days before surgery
Can I take my routine medications on the day of surgery?
All medications prescribed by the physician are to be taken on the day of surgery. However, diabetics need to skip the morning dose of anti – diabetic medications. Do not come fasting in the morning for the surgery, have a light breakfast and come to the hospital. Blood thinning medications like Aspirin, Clopidrogel are usually not stopped prior to phacoemulsification surgery. However, please ask your physician and ophthalmologist who will be ready to clarify regarding this.
What is the type of cataract surgery done in Vignesh Meenu Eye Clinic?
In Vignesh Meenu Eye Clinic, we do the latest, well established and effective surgical procedure called Phacoemulsification coupled with implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to treat cataract.
What is done in phacoemulsifiction surgery?
In phacoemulsification, a key hole incision is made in the eye and the cataract is emulsified (crushed) and removed using a special probe which deliver ultrasonic energy for this process. Following this, a foldable intraocular lens is implanted through the key hole incision. Since the incision is very small, there is no need for sutures.
What is MICS?
The latest modification in phacoemulsification in which the surgical wound is much smaller (1.8 mm) through which cataract is removed and intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted is called MICS or Minimally Invasive Cataract Surgery. The process of wound healing and refractive stabilization is faster in MICS than traditional phacoemulsification.
Is cataract surgery painful? Is an injection required?
Phacoemulsification is painless and the eye is anesthetised with eye drops. Injection is not given as a routine unless in exceptional cases. Touch sensation is all that may be felt. There is no pain, redness or swelling following surgery with the clear corneal incision.
Is admission in the hospital required. How long should a patient be in the hospital?
No admission is required. Cataract surgery is done an a “day care” basis. Surgery takes 10 – 15 minutes. The patient is allowed to go home the next hour after surgery.
Which type of intraocular lens is good for vision?
At Vignesh Meenu Eye Clinic, we regularly insert foldable intraocular lens (IOL). There are many types of foldable lenses
- - Monofocal intraocular lens – which enables a person to be free of glasses for distance while glasses for reading (near vision) will be needed after surgery
- - Multifocal intraoclar lens – which enable a person to be free of glasses for both distance and near, essentially making a person glasses independant
- - Toric intraocular lens – which correct astigmatism present before surgery and are available in both monofocal and multifocal variants.
It is better to go for the best lens suited for you after consutation and discussion with the surgeon. The intraocular lens implanted is for lifetime. The surgical equipment, instruments, visco elastics, medicines, sterility of operation theater, experience of the surgeon/ staff are also crucial for the visual outcome.
Are sutures required after surgery is over?
No, sutures are not required since the key hole incision is self sealing.
Should patient wear a patch after surgery?
No, the patient is given a pair of dark protective glasses soon after the surgery and not patch is applied to the eye.
When can the patient watch TV or read books, newpapers?
Patients can watch television or read paper that very day after surgery.
When can patient resume routine work?
After cataract surgery, a person can go back to their routine work within few days and do activities like cooking, driving, travelling, attending office etc.
Can both eyes be operated at the same time? If not what should be the interval of surgery between the two eyes?
We never operate both eyes on the same day as matter of precaution and safety. We can operate two eyes two to few days apart. Patients with cataract and very high powers in both eyes will need to get both eyes operated successively at a short gap for good restoration of vision.
Do patients need to wear glasses after surgery?
Usually, patients will not need to wear corrective glasses if they get a multifocal lens (conventional or toric) implanted. However, they will have to wear reading glasses if they get a monofocal lens implanted. However, it is pertinent to note that although highly specialized equipment (Immersion A – Scan) is used to predict the IOL power to be implanted, there is always possibibility of minor errors in IOL power. This may leave residual spectacle power, which can be corrected with glasses.
What happens if the cataract is not operated upon?
The vision reduces to a level where daily activities is not possible. A mature catract can cause inflammation inside the eye, increased pressure inside the eye resulting in severe pain, headache, total loss of vision, vomiting, severe redness and swelling of the eyes. Management of the cataract is extremely difficult with suboptimal outcome.
Salient features in Vignesh Meenu Eye Clinic for Cataract Surgery
- -Anesthetist stand by for every surgery for monitoring patient’s vital parameters
- -Pre – operative and post – operative care and instillation of eye drops taught to the patient
- -Cataract surgery done for patients with insurance coverage under the “cashless” mode
- -Tarriffs are flexible according to the affordability of the patient
For more details please have a detailed talk with your ophthalmologist in Vignesh Meenu Eye Clinic. He will be able to guide and do the best for you.