Cataract

For most people with poor vision from cataract, the opportunities of regaining good vision and resuming normal daily activities are excellent.

What is a cataract?
The term ‘cataract’ is used to describe the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The vision dims because the cataract prevents light from passing beyond the lens and focusing on the retina.

Common symptoms of a cataract:

1. Painless blurring of vision
2. Glare or light sensitivity
3. Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription
4. Poor night vision
5. Needing a brighter light to read
6. Double vision in one eye
7. Fading colours

Common misconceptions cleared:

1. Cataract is not a film over the surface of the eye
2. It is not caused by overusing the eyes
3. It is not infectious and will not spread from one eye to the other
4. It is not a cancer
5. It is not a cause of irreversible blindness

What causes a cataract?

1. The most common cause is due to aging and referred to as a ‘senile cataract’.
2. Other common causes are:
3. Family history
4. Medical problems, such as diabetes
5. Long-term use of medications, such as steroids
6. Injury to the eye
7. Congenital, since birth
8. Previous eye surgery
9. Long-term unprotected exposure to sunlight

How fast does a cataract develop?
Cataract development varies among individuals and may even vary between the two eyes. Most cataracts associated with the aging process develop over years. Cataracts in younger patients and in those with diabetes may develop more rapidly.

How do you treat a cataract?
Surgery is the only way a cataract can be treated. No dietary supplements, medications, exercises or optical devices have been proven to prevent or cure cataract.

When should surgery be done?
Surgery should be considered when the cataract causes visual disturbance enough to interfere with daily activities. Based on these needs and the examination findings, the patient and the ophthalmologist should decide together when surgery is appropriate. Cataracts need not be mature or ‘ripe’ before removal.

What should you expect from a cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a day care, microscopic surgery performed under anaesthesia eye drops or local anaesthesia. The cloudy lens is removed leaving its capsule behind, within which a permanent, artificial intraocular lens is implanted. Today, there are a wide range of intraocular lens implants available, which not only replace the cataract, but also give visual advantages with better near vision, improved night vision and also can reduce or eliminate the need for spectacles post surgery.
After cataract surgery, you can return immediately to almost all routine activities. Medication must be administered as per the instructions of your cataract surgeon or ophthalmologist.

Low stress cataract surgery at Bathia Hospital and Eye Clinic
Phacoemulsification is a micro-incision technique of cataract surgery wherein an ultrasound probe breaks the cataract into tiny pieces and sucks them out. The foldable lens implant is inserted through a very small incision (2.8 – 3.0 mm) as compared to an approximately 5 mm incision to accommodate a non-foldable lens. The incision are self-sealing and needs no stitches. Your ophthalmologist will help you decide as to which lens implant is most suitable for you.

Benefits to you:

1. Smaller incision resulting in faster healing and visual rehabilitation
2. Reduced surgical time
3. No stitch surgery.
4. Painless or minimal post-operative discomfort
5. A quick return to your normal routine.

Can a cataract be treated with medicines or a laser?
No. Since the cataract occurs within the lens matter of the eye, no medication stops the progress of or treats the cataract. There is no medical or laser treatment for cataract other than replacing this lens with a surgery.
However, in layman terms today’s modern cataract surgery is called ‘laser cataract surgery’ as there are no stitches, although there is no actual use of the laser. The cataract is dissolved using ultrasound waves from an equipment and is medically termed ‘phacoemulsification’.
 
Today’s procedures are quick, not taking more than 20 minutes of surgical time, pain free under topical (only eye drops) or local anesthesia. Ask your ophthalmologist if you are eligible for topical anesthesia.

Are there any complications of cataract surgery?
At our centre, we follow the highest standards of healthcare and strict protocols of infection control. 
We understand your fears regarding an eye surgery, but you stand a greater risk of not doing cataract surgery when required, as the longer you wait the more difficult it becomes to treat the cataract easily and there is a greater chance of surgical complications.

Standard Vs Premium Lens Implants?
Multifocal and Accomodative Implants are a new technology in cataract treatment wherein you can gain additional benefit of reducing your dependence on reading glasses.

Standard Lens Implants	Premium Lens Implants
Single focus- usually distant	Multiple focuses- near, intermediate and distant
100% need for reading glasses	Reduces or eliminates need for reading glasses
Insurance usually covers the cost	May be reimbursed partially by insurance

Lens Implants available at  Bathia Hospital and Eye Clinic:

Standard IOLs
Monofocal: AMO Sensar / Akreos / Rycef /Matrix
Monofocal Wavefront : AMO Tecnis / Akreos AO / Zeiss ZO/Acrysof Alcon IQ
Monofocal Microincision: Bausch and Lomb MIL
Monofocal Toric: Alcon / Zeiss

Premium IOLs
Multifocal: Tecnis / Restor / Rezoom/ Zeiss
Multifocal Toric: Alcon / Zeiss
Accomodative: Crystalens