What is cataract
Cataracts are when the lens, a small transparent disc inside your eye, develops cloudy patches. Over time these patches usually become bigger causing blurry, misty vision and eventually blindness. When we’re young, our lenses are usually like clear glass, allowing us to see through them.
What causes cataracts?
Cataracts are simply protein deposits on the surface of the eye lens. A person with this condition typically has cloudy vision and has difficulty performing daily tasks.
Causes
- The most common cause of developing eye contact is ageing. Cataracts are more common in people over the age of 60.
- Another factor to consider is past trauma or injury.
Cataracts are also caused by eye diseases such as uveitis and iritis
What is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is intended to treat cataracts, which is clouding of the eye lens caused by protein clumping. As a result, your vision may deteriorate over time and this is now the world’s leading source of blindness.
The lens of your eye is located behind your iris and pupil and allows you to focus on objects that are at different distances from you. The majority of cataract surgeries involve replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial one.
How are cataract surgeries performed by doctors?
During this surgery, the doctor will first use anaesthesia to numb the eye surface in order to avoid any irritation or pain. You will be awake throughout the procedure. The surgeon will remove the cataract and replace it with an artificial lens in no time.
What are artificial lens ?
Cataract surgery involves removing a clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (also called an IOL) to improve your vision.
You have a one-time opportunity to select the lens that’s going to give you the best possible vision and improve your quality of life. It’s important for your doctor to explain all the options so you can make the best choice for you.
- Monofocal lenses correct your vision for distance or for near. You decide which is more important to you. For instance, you may want to correct your distant vision so you can drive without glasses but wear glasses for near work. If you are an artist or a dentist, you might choose to improve your near vision and wear glasses for distance.
- Toric lenses reduce your astigmatism to help improve the quality of your vision.
- Presbyopia-correcting lenses (also called multi-focal or extended depth-of-focus lenses) correct both near and far vision. For many people, this means depending less on distance glasses and reading glasses after cataract surgery.
Which lens is right for me?
That depends on your needs. If you’re comfortable wearing glasses after cataract surgery, a monofocal lens may be the right choice. If you want to avoid wearing distance glasses after cataract surgery and have astigmatism, a toric lens might be appropriate. A presbyopia-correcting lens may be best if you want to avoid wearing distance and reading glasses after cataract surgery. It all comes down to what you want in terms of improving your eyesight and lifestyle.
Post-surgery
You will be allowed to leave the health centre after surgery. Within a few days, you’ll start to notice that your vision is getting better. You need to see your doctor on a regular basis post-surgery. Avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them.
If you have any of the below signs:
- Swelling
- Loss of vision
- Vision floaters or black dots
- Pain
Contact a doctor right away.
What happens if it isn’t treated?
Individuals who do not treat their cataracts may have difficulty performing daily activities. This condition continues to deteriorate. Finally, it may result in a person’s permanent loss of vision. If you want to postpone the surgery, talk to your doctor, who will advise you based on your current condition.
What are the potential hazards?
In rare cases, a person may come across:
- Swelling
- Eyelid drooping
- Detachment of the retina
- Irritation
A note from us
Cataracts and other vision problems are common as you get older. However, you do not have to put up with it. Cataract removal surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures available. It’s a quick and relatively painless procedure. Your surgery will most likely be successful, and you will have clear and bright vision again. We at Ojas recognise the significance of vision in your life. Our experts will assist you in successfully treating your cataract.
