A cataract is clouding of the natural lens. When we are younger, our natural lens is clear but as we age, it is normal that the lens ages too. Just like a Plexiglas becomes yellow and cloudy over time, so does our human eye lens. Sometimes cataracts happen at a younger age and sometimes cataract forms quickly and are easy to notice. Most often however, they happen slowly without the person being aware of how much vision they have lost. That is, many people are surprised at how well they see after surgery. Cataracts can be hereditary or be influenced by conditions like obesity, diabetes, steroid use, eye injuries and prolonged sun exposure. A cataract gradually degrades your ability to drive at night, have proper color vision with glasses and/or contacts. We no longer use the term ripe to determine when to have cataract surgery. When the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks, surgery can be considered. It is an elective procedure. In cataract surgery we replace your cloudy natural lens with a customized IOL: Intraocular Lens. The implant lasts forever and requires no maintenance. Your implant is not visible, and it reduces your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
Surgery is the only course of treatment for cataract. There are two options available for cataract surgery. Conventional Cataract Surgery or Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (SICS/ECCE)
Lens implant means the replacement of the clouded human lens (the cataract) during cataract surgery, with a clear artificial lens. The new lens will provide the person with focusing power, thereby improving post-operative vision and allowing him/her to see more clearly. Our mission is to mimic natural vision of young people who don’t wear glasses as much as technically possible.
There are many different options, for anaesthesia during cataract surgery. Using anaesthetic eye drops (topical anaesthesia) has become an increasingly popular option in modern, rapid-turnover day care cataract surgery rehabilitation. We use topical anaesthetic supplement with anaesthesia administered within the eye (intra cameral) during the surgery.
Phacoemulsification is performed under topical anesthesia (anesthesia eye drops). No injection or general anesthesia is required. The patient is awake during the procedure feeling no pain at all. Phacoemulsification takes about 10 minutes per eye. Once finished, you will go home without need for hospitalization.
Cataract surgery has experienced a large transformation during the last decade. This transformation has been in response to increased refractive requirements of patients and ophthalmic surgeons. New technology has allowed for unlimited development of the surgical technique and tools. Cataract surgery began as a surgery with an incision of 8-10 mm called ICCE to 1.8mm called MICS.
MICROINCISION CATARACT SURGERY (MICS) is an approach an incision of less than 1.8mm is made, with the purpose of reducing surgical invasiveness, improving at the same time surgical outcomes. The main confirmed advantages of MICS are the control and avoidance of surgically induced corneal astigmation and the decrease of post operative corneal aberrations.
It has many benefits that include improved intraoperative control, safety and efficiency compared with phacoemulsification performed through a larger incision. Together, these assets translate into better visual outcomes and happier patients. MICS has been demonstrated to be minimally traumatic surgery, providing better post operative outcomes than standard small incision phacoemulsification.
Minimizing SIA is particularly important in procedures using a premium IOL, either toric, multifocal, or toric multifocal implants, because it for better, more predictable refractive outcomes that are critical for achieving the best vision with these technologies. These advantages can be availed at our hospital, which is equipped with the cutting edge technology and skillful surgeons to conduct the procedures.
(Note: Your doctor needs to decide what kind of lens is most suitable for you)
These IOLs ensure good quality of vision post the operation due to the lens design. It also improves the contrast sensitivity of the patient and good night vision. These lenses also filter the harmful UV light and blue light which are said to be harmful to the retina.
These IOLs correct the pre-existing corneal astigmatism, there by reducing the possibility of spectacle wear for distant vision post operatively.
These IOLs provide clear vision for all distances hence almost 90% of the day-to-day activities can be performed without the need for additional glasses. Rarely the patient may experience glare during nights post operatively but usually gets adapted within a few months.
Prior to surgery, the doctors will personally speak to you at length, and also thoroughly examine your eye in order to prescribe the best lens option. We recognize that every person values different visual tasks and we aim to match the lens technology to one which best suits your needs. There are limitations to every lens, but they represent a considerable improvement on the basic lens implant. As experts in premium lens implants, our doctors help you select the lens that will benefit you the most.
Over 90% of people achieve a vision better than 20/20 after Phacoemulsification (99% in normal eyes). If there is some kind of retinal condition then this cannot be achieved. Reading glasses are the rule after cataract surgery (in many cases they are also required before surgery due to presbyopia). However if a multifocal and trifocal lens is put during surgery reading glasses may be avoided as mentioned earlier