Cataract treatment
Cataracts are related to age and the clouding of the cornea and is the most common of all eye diseases. Lenses grow throughout life but can only become larger and thicker in a limited range.
The result is that the inner lenses coalesces, which leads to its blurriness. Another cause for this is the change in metabolism with the advancing of age in the organism, as well as previous injuries.
This process arises at a certain time for everyone. Cataracts often begin to negatively affect vision after the age of 60. The disease is characterized by the impression of cloudy vision. This is accompanied by greater sensitivity to night blindness and often prompts the purchase of stronger glasses.
Cataract surgery is one of the most often performed and successful eye surgeries – annually over 1.5 million such procedures. During the operation, the cloudy lens is removed and an artificial lens is implanted (the lenses are changed). Replacing the lens also provides the opportunity for vision correction, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia!
During the consultation with the initial optical examination, we check for cataracts and inform the patient of possible surgery. The patient will receive from us a modern implant – we will do our best so that he will not need to wear glasses. The operation is usually scheduled without a lengthy delay.
Description of cataract surgery
The most important equipment – besides the steady hand of the surgeon- is the microscope. The eyelids are immobilized so that they cannot blink during the procedure. So the eye does not dry out, moisturizing drops are added throughout the procedure. The eyeball remains slightly open with a small incision, next a similar one is made in the corneal sac. Next is the removal of the deficient lens with the help of an ultrasound vibrating device (which also extracts the particles of the lens at the same time). To the empty exposed lens is placed an artificial lens.
Course of the operation
- Preparation – the patient receives a local anesthesia in the form of eye drops or an injection next to the eye.
- The lens is removed – during the first stage on the edge of the cornea is made a small incision, allowing the floating and suction of the natural lens.
- An implanted artificial multifocal lens is put in the place of the removed lens. The new multifocal lens provides vision with differing strength. Thanks to this, following the procedure, the patient can see both near and far. Multifocal lenses allow for a sharper vision both near and far.
- Post operation – following the procedure the eye is protected by a band against external factors, like dirt and dust, also allowing the incision to heal over the coming days.
Preparation for the operation
Prior to the surgery is an eye examination, where the pupils are dilated (which prohibits the driving of a car for a certain time). Next the eye is measured so that the appropriate artificial lens can be prepared. The family doctor will send a special report with the description of the patient’s general health. The patient will also present information that no health factors would prohibit the operation at that time. If such factors arise, the operation will be postponed. Sometimes it happens that the surgeon has to use a general anesthetic but this is very rare- almost always a local anesthetic will be used. The operation itself is not a difficult venture.
Prior to the procedure, a checklist is given. This includes also a request for the family doctor to fill out a survey with a description of any illnesses. It is important to set a time for a follow-up visit the day after the operation. In the day of the operation, the patient will take medicine like always, which will be coordinated with the local anesthesia. The patient should bring a referral and insurance card.
It is advisable that after the procedure, the patient will be picked up by a trusted companion. On that day, you should wear comfortable clothing without jewelry and make-up. For the operation, you should also bring documents from your family doctor and the basic results from your blood test and EKG.
Local anesthesia
The pain is moderated by eye drops or a shot. In the case of drops, the patient will notice a slight pressure on the eye. Related to this, the eye can still move, so the patient must concentrate and not allow it to move but keep the eye open and gaze upon the overhead light. After the operation, the eye can move, the anesthesia will wear off. In the case of an eye spray, during the procedure, the eye is completely numb and immobile. For some patients, having an injection near the eye is very unpleasant, and the numbness remains for several hours after the operation.
Directly before the operation
Each patient will receive a hospital gown. First the doctor will dilate the patient’s pupils with drops, and according to his expressed wishes will give a calming substance (in this case it is important to establish ahead of time that someone will be available to transport the patient from the clinic). A local anesthesia is given in the preparatory room, and then the patient is moved to the operating room, where he is covered with sterile sheets to protect from germs. During the procedure the oxygen level is monitored.
