What is a Cataract ?
The common condition of Cataract results in the clouding of the natural eye lens. The cause of this cloudiness in the lens is the accumulation of protein. The progression of the cataract involves painless loss of vision. People above 60 faces a gradual loss of vision leading to the clouding of the lens. The main reason of cataract is unknown. However, other causes include illness, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, injury, smoking and certain medications.
Cataract Surgery
The surgical procedure involves the clouded natural eye lens removal by replacing it with an artificial lens. The surgery is performed to restore the eye vision. Cataract uses modern procedures that involve high-frequency ultrasound probe. This probe breaks the cloudy lens into little pieces which are then carefully removed from the eyes by using suction. The procedure is known as Phaco or Phacoemulsification is performed by making small incisions.
Symptoms of Cataracts
- Frequent changes in contact lens or eyeglass prescription
- Hazy or blurred vision
- Poor vision at night
- Double vision in one eye
- Yellowish tinged vision
- Seeing halos around lights
- Poor vision in bright light
Types of Cataracts
Congenital Cataracts (childhood cataracts) : This type of cataract usually occurs either when a baby is born or after the birth. Many times cataracts are diagnosed in older children and babies. These are referred to as infantile, developmental and juvenile cataracts.
Age Related Cataracts : This is the most common type of cataract and usually occurs in later stages of life.
Causes of Cataracts
Following are cataracts causes that increase a person’s chance of developing them –
- Over or long term exposure to the sunlight
- Prior eye inflammation
- Age
- Previous eye injury
- Crystallins (protein) loss : A particular type of protein that starts to lose its function as the age of an eye progresses. This loss leads to formation of small peptides that are made up of 10-15 amino acids. This formation of small peptides accelerates the formation of cataract in the eye.
- Corticosteroids long-term use : The development of cataract is higher in those people who rely heavily on asthma inhaled and also on intake of steroids. The intake of these certain medications can aggravate the risk of cataracts.
- Family history of cataracts.
- Exposure to ionizing radiation : The continuous exposure to cosmic radiation leads to the development of nuclear cataract especially in airline pilots.
- Diabetes.
- Over or long time exposure to lead can aggravate the risk of cataracts.
Cataract Surgery
This minimally invasive cataract procedure starts by making the eye numb by giving anesthesia. A small incision is made in which the ultrasonic probe is inserted. The function of the probe is to break the cloudy lens into small pieces. These pieces are then suctioned out from the eye. After the removal of cloudy lens, the new artificial lens (intraocular lens) is then implanted. The new lens is generally inserted from the similar incision from where the old lens has been taken off. It is a painless surgery and the procedure takes a few minutes.
The cataract cure at an early stage can be managed by following measures –
- By using medication that can dilate the pupil.
- Strong lightening
- Wearing stronger contact lenses or eyeglasses
- By using a magnifying glass while reading
No-stitch Cataract Surgery
Cataract removal through this advanced no-stitch technique made the cataract operation all the more successful. This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia with minimum or no discomfort. The new revolutionary technique lowers the risk of Endophthalmitis that causes loss of vision. In accidental case of a blow to the eye, the incision is quite strong. The patients can return to their normal activities after a short while.
Cataract Lens Replacement
To enhance the vision of the eye, the intraocular lens (IOL) is used to correct and replace the eye’s natural lenses. The intraocular lens is replaced by performing the cataract surgery. The IOL can now also be used to correct the vision of the eye by eliminating the use of contact lenses or glasses.
Benefits of Cataract Surgery
- Vision can be improved by removing the cloudy lens of the eye.
- The high success rate of the operation allows the patients to have improved vision shortly after the surgery.
- It drastically improves the vision by which patients can even clear the driving license test.
- It immensely reduces the dependence on wearing corrective eyeglasses or lenses.
- The patient after the surgery can get back to his normal life exploring the vivid colors of the life.
Cost of Cataract Surgery
The low cost of cataract surgery in India attracts many patients from all over the world. All the hospitals in India are fully equipped with latest technology and medical services. All the doctors are well trained and are highly experienced as of the doctors of other developed countries like USA or UK.