Most of us associate cataracts exclusively with gray hair and old age. This is one of those myths that can lull you into a false sense of security, because if we’re young, this problem doesn’t concern us, right? Nothing could be further from the truth. The eye’s lens can start to cloud at any time \u2013 sometimes even before we are born. At Swisslaser clinics in Warsaw and Krakow, we show patients every day that a ‘cataracts’ diagnosis is not a sentence, but the beginning of a journey to a new, better quality of life. Regardless of whether you are 20 or 80, you simply deserve to see the world without an irritating haze.<\/p>\n\n
Although statistics indeed indicate that every second person over 65 will be diagnosed with senile cataracts, don’t be fooled by these numbers. Cataracts are a biological process that can accelerate under the influence of many different factors.<\/p>\n\n
This is a difficult topic, but cataracts can develop already in the fetus. Often, the blame lies with infections that the expectant mother experiences (e.g., rubella or flu), or medications she takes. In children in the first years of life, the disease can also have a genetic basis. In such cases, every moment counts \u2013 the sooner we react, the greater the chance for proper visual development in the child.<\/p>\n\n
Have you ever heard of drug-induced cataracts? Some medications, such as steroids, can cloud the lens in people in the prime of life. Sometimes vision problems also appear as an unwanted addition to diabetes or large, uncorrected refractive errors. Who would have thought that all this is so interconnected?<\/p>\n\n
When we cross fifty, our lens naturally loses elasticity and transparency. Medicine calls this acquired cataracts. Instead of waiting until you completely lose your independence, just visit an eye doctor as soon as you notice that the sharpness of the image starts to ‘float’.<\/p>\n\n
Are you blaming it on lack of sleep? Or maybe you’re convincing yourself it’s just the effect of sitting in front of the computer? Cataracts develop silently, but they leave clear traces.<\/p>\n\n
Have you noticed that headlights of oncoming cars blind you more than before? This is a classic sign. Light scatters on the clouded lens, creating bothersome halos and glare around the lights.<\/p>\n\n
Do you feel like the world looks as if you’re looking through a dirty window that can’t be cleaned no matter what? In advanced stages, even the most expensive and best-fitted glasses stop helping. This is the moment when you need to act at the source.<\/p>\n\n
The world suddenly loses saturation, and colors become yellowish and faded. You may also start tripping on stairs more often or have trouble precisely pouring water into a glass. This is a sign that your depth perception is failing.<\/p>\n\n
“Don’t wait for cataracts to ‘mature'”<\/em> \u2013 warns Dr. Victor Derhartunian<\/strong>. “This is an outdated approach that no longer makes sense today. The harder the lens becomes, the more difficult it is to remove safely. In addition, the risk of an increase in eye pressure and a glaucoma attack increases. Diagnosis is now quick and painless \u2013 just a moment of examination with a dilated pupil”<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n An experienced doctor needs literally a moment and a slit lamp to check what is happening with your lens. This examination doesn’t hurt at all, and it gives us a clear answer: whether it’s cataracts, or perhaps another vision defect that we can easily correct.<\/p>\n\n Cataracts are a process that progresses step by step. It starts innocently, with small spots on the periphery, but over time the lens becomes thick and rigid. In extreme situations, this leads to blindness, which, fortunately, we can reverse with surgery. So, is it worth delaying?<\/p>\n\n We have great news for you: modern ophthalmology deals with cataracts masterfully. You can find everything about how modern cataract treatment<\/a> proceeds in our detailed guide.<\/p>\n\n In the ultrasound method, we break up the diseased lens and remove it through a microscopic incision. Femtoemulsification goes a step further \u2013 here, some incisions are performed by a femtosecond laser; at SwissLaser, we no longer use this method because it did not show superiority. Both paths lead to the goal: implanting a new, crystal-clear lens.<\/p>\n\n Choosing a lens is actually an investment in your comfort for the rest of your life. Standard options usually allow you to see sharply at only one distance. PREMIUM lenses can do much more \u2013 they correct astigmatism or allow you to read books and drive a car without needing glasses!<\/p>\n\n 1. Does cataract surgery hurt?<\/p>\n\n Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing! The procedure is performed under local anesthesia using drops. You might feel like someone is touching your eye or pouring water on it, but pain is completely eliminated.<\/p>\n\n 2. Can cataracts ever return?<\/p>\n\n An artificial lens does not cloud, so ‘true’ cataracts will not return. Sometimes, so-called secondary cataracts (clouding of the lens capsule) occur, but we remove them in a minute during a simple office visit.<\/p>\n\n 3. How long does recovery take?<\/p>\n\n Most patients see a huge difference the day after the procedure. Full recovery usually takes a few days \u2013 then you can calmly go for walks or watch your favorite movie.<\/p>\n\n 4. Can both eyes be operated on at once?<\/p>\n\n Yes \u2014 we typically operate on both eyes during one session, each as a separate procedure. Upon request, we can operate on the second eye at a separate time, after a few days or weeks.<\/p>\n\n 5. Will I still need to wear glasses after the surgery?<\/p>\n\n That depends on you and the chosen lens. If you opt for a multifocal PREMIUM lens, you have a great chance of completely saying goodbye to reading and distance glasses!<\/p>\n\n Where we perform cataract surgery:<\/strong> cataract surgery in Warsaw<\/a> (ul. Kolejowa 1) \u00b7 cataract surgery in Krakow<\/a> (ul. Kluczborska 15\/U3) \u00b7 price list<\/a>. Qualification, procedure, and follow-ups at the chosen clinic, performed by Dr. med. Victor Derhartunian.<\/p>\n\nWhat does an eye lens examination look like? The simplicity of cataract diagnosis<\/h3>\n\n
From clouding to vision loss: The process of lens hardening<\/h3>\n\n
Modern surgical methods: A safe return to full functionality<\/h2>\n\n
Phacoemulsification vs. Femtoemulsification \u2013 ultrasound or laser?<\/h3>\n\n
Choosing an intraocular lens: Differences between the NFZ standard and PREMIUM class<\/h3>\n\n
FAQ \u2013 Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n
Related topics<\/h2>\n\n