Cataract Surgery
Many people wonder what is a cataract - A cataract is basically a cloudy or opaque part of the eye lens and is one of the most common ophthalmic pathologies. Depending on its location and size, it can result in vision problems. It is also commonly called “motibindu” in Hindi.
A cataract eye is commonly seen in older people, mostly over 55 years of age and it rarely occurs in infants and young children due to trauma or medications.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and very successful clinical managements in eye medicine, showing direct improvements in visual acuity.
Cataract Symptoms
During the first stage of cataract (motibindu) condition, the symptoms are not present when it is mild. But as cataracts increase in severity, they give rise to impaired vision, such as -
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Double vision
- Difficult differentiating colours
- Night vision problems
- Any light, such as headlights, or sunlight, may appear too bright.
- Alteration in the eye's refractive error or eyeglass prescription.
If the cataract is ignored and not treated on time, it can lead to vision loss. The above eye symptoms can indicate other eye problems, too. Visit your eye doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Cataract surgery indications
The ophthalmologist will perform an eye test and ask the patient about the symptoms. If the patient is experiencing the following cataract symptoms, then the eye doctor will suggest cataract surgery
- The opacification of the natural eye lens
- Decreased distance visual acuity.
- Difficulty discriminating colours
- Decreased ability to identify faces
- Trouble reading words
- Sensitivity to light
- Poor vision in good lighting
- Improved vision in poor lighting
Cataract surgery complications
The complications of cataract surgery include:
- Posterior capsule opacification
- Cystoid macular edema
- Endophthalmitis - (rare)
- Retinal detachment - (rare)
What are the types of cataracts?
The types of cataracts is based on their location in the eye.
A nuclear cataract
It is seen in the centre of the lens. Initially, the nuclear cataract may result in more nearsightedness or even a short term improvement during reading. But after some time, the lens darkens with age, changing its color from yellow to brown.
A cortical cataract
It starts at the edges of the lens and spreads towards the centre of the eye in a spoke-like manner. Some of its symptoms include blurry vision, vision loss, difficulty driving at night, etc.
A posterior capsular cataract
It is a fast-growing opacification of the posterior part of the lens. This type of cataract can occur alone or in combination with other types of cataracts. It can cause significant loss of vision.
Cataract Surgery Procedure
Cataract surgery (motibindu operation) is done to treat cataract conditions. During this procedure, the damaged, cloudy natural lens is detached and changed with a clear artificial lens. The artificial lens is known as an intraocular lens (IOL). Your ophthalmologist will explain the different IOLs and their benefits to choose one for your eyes.
Types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
| Types |
Purpose |
Suitable For |
| Monofocal Lenses |
These lenses can only restore vision either for short distance or for long distance |
It is useful for patients with cataract conditions in both the eyes. |
| Multifocal Lenses |
They help restore eye vision for both near and far distances and provides multiple point of focus |
Anyone with vision problem can have these lenses, especially elderly with farsightedness |
| Toric Lenses |
They can rectify both spherical and cylinder eye components |
They are preferred if the patient has a high pre-existing cylinder or astigmatism in their eyes. |
Once the lens is selected, the patinet is prepared for the surgery.
Before the procedure
- Your eye specialist will recommend urine tests, chest X-rays, and blood tests to check if you have diabetes or other health conditions.
- You may have to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) test to rule out any heart problems. Inform your ophthalmologist if you have any blood disaeses like haemophilia, thalassemia, etc. Your doctor will ask if you are taking any medications or have allergies.
- Eye-drop medicines will be prescribed before eye surgery. These eye drops will help prevent eye infections and decrease swelling during and after the surgical procedure.
- The eye surgeon will measure your affected eye to decide the proper focusing power for your IOL.
- Your eye surgeon may suggest you to avoid eating solid foods at least 6 hours before the operation.
During the procedure
Cataract surgery or motibindu operation may be done in a hospital or an outpatient facility.
- First, the affected eye will be numbed with eye drops or with an anaesthetizing injection around the eye. You may be given a sedative to relax.
- You will not be completely unconscious during the surgery. You can see the light and the doctors' movements during the operative procedure, but you can't see how the eye operation is done.
There are four main types of cataract surgery -
- Phacoemulsification
- Extracapsular cataract surgery
- Intracapsular cataract surgery
- Laser Cataract Surgery
- Phacoemulsification -
- It is a very common type of cataract operation. The procedure is completed in less than half an hour, with very little use of sedation.
- In the phaco procedure, the eye surgeon makes a tiny incision around the edge of the cornea to open through the membrane surrounding the natural lens.
- The surgeon inserts a small ultrasonic probe through this opening to break up the lens into tiny fragments with the help of sound waves.
- The ultrasonic probe tip contains an attachment that acts as a suction to remove the broken fragments. An intraocular lens implant is then placed in the eye to complete the procedure.
- Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) -
- This kind of cataract surgery is preferred in severe cataract cases that are difficult to treat with phacoemulsification. It involves a larger incision to remove the cataract altogether in one piece, and not in fragments.
- Once the damaged lens is removed, the intraocular lens is positioned in the lens capsule in the eye. The eye surgeon will then suture the wound and use eye patches to cover it.
- Intracapsular cataract surgery: -
- The surgeon will make a bigger incision in this operative procedure than in the other two eye surgeries.
- Here is the complete lens and the capsule are detached, and the IOL is positioned in front of the iris.
- Laser Cataract Surgery-
- It is also referred to as Refractive Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery. The eye surgeon makes an incision in the cornea, followed by an anterior capsulotomy, removing the upper part of the capsule to gain direct access to the cloudy lens.
- The laser then makes the lens soft to break it into fragments. The intraocular lens is then placed in the eye capsule.
After the Procedure
- You will be shifted to a recovery room to monitor your health. As soon as your health is fine, you can go home.
- Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops for you to use at home. Follow the eye drop instructions properly.
Cataract Surgery Precautions
Cataract surgery requires a lot of precautions to be taken because of the nature of the surgery and the sensitivity of the site of the surgery. Follow the below precautions to recover faster with a great vision back.
- You have to wear protective eyewear like goggles or transparent wrap-around glasses round the clock.
- Take care not to let the soap and water get into your eyes for the first few days.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Wear a protective eye shield when you sleep.
- Stay away from dust, dirty water, or any type of strain on the eyes, especially from the TV, mobile phones, or tabs.
- Don't lift heavy objects for the first few weeks.
- Follow up with your doctor as suggested
For any unusual symptoms, you must talk to your doctor as going out after the surgery should be avoided. For a better eyesight, go for regular eye check-ups.
Cataract Surgery Care at Medicover Hospitals
At Medicover Hospitals, we have the most trusted team of ophthalmologists or eye specialists and eye surgeons working together to provide satisfactory eye care to our patients. We provide different types of eye treatments and eye surgeries using the most advanced technologies and world-class infrastructure bringing the best results for our patients. Schedule an appointment with our doctors to get properly diagnosed and treated for a healthy vision.
