What is Cataract?

Eye Cataract is the most common eye problem which occurs to 4 out of 10 people. A dense, cloudy patch is formed in the lens of your eye resulting in the unclear vision. The inception of cataract usually starts when proteins form clumps in your sight blocking the lens from transferring clear images to your retina.

Your retina primarily works by converting the light coming from the lens in signals. These signals are sent to the optic nerve. The optic nerve then carries them to your brain and you eventually see the real picture. This can be treated by the cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the safest eye treatment.

Cataracts Symptoms

Common cataracts symptoms include:

• Trouble seeing at night.
• Halos circling lights.
• Increased sensitivity to glare.
• Blurry vision.
• Seeing colours as faded.
• Increased sensitivity to glare.
• Double vision in affected eyes.
• Frequent changes in prescription glasses.

If you are facing any of the above mentioned, it is always safe to see a doctor in order to prevent further complications. Cataract surgery is not the only option. We will help you sort it out.

What Causes Cataracts?

There are various concealed causes of cataracts. They include:

• An excess generation of oxidants, which are oxygen molecules that have been chemically altered due to normal daily life.
• Smoking
• Ultraviolet radiations
• Long-term use of medications and/or steroids
• Some diseases, like diabetes
• Trauma
• Radiation therapy

Types of Cataracts

• There are various types of cataracts. They are classified by how and where they are developed in your eye. There are Nuclear cataracts formed in the middle of the lens and causes the nucleus or the centre of eye to become yellow and brown.
• Cortical cataracts are wedge-shaped and are formed surrounding the edge of the nucleus.
• The Posterior capsular type of cataract forms faster than the other two types of cataract and mostly affects the backside of the lens.
• Congenital cataracts are the type of cataracts which are present from the time of birth or developed during the baby’s first year. These are less common than age-related cataracts.
• Exposure to radiations can cause Radiation cataracts. People usually undergoing radiation treatment for cancer are more prone to it.
• Cataracts may develop after an injury to the eye; these are called as Traumatic cataracts. It can usually take several years for this to develop and happen.
• Disease or medications cause secondary cataracts. Conditions that are linked with the development of cataracts include glaucoma and diabetes. The use of the steroid prednisone and other medicines can sometimes lead to cataracts.

Treatment for Cataracts

For cataract sometimes your doctor may suggest you to use stronger eyeglasses or lenses, magnifying lenses or sunglasses with anti-glare coating. This is usually done when patient is unable to get cataract surgery or not interested in cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery is recommended by your doctor when it hinders in moving about your daily activities, like reading or driving. It is also carried out when cataract meddles with the treatment of other eye problems.

Phacoemulsification is a type of cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification includes the use of ultrasound waves to break the lens and remove the pieces.

Extracapsular surgery is another type of cataract surgery. Extracapsular surgery includes removing the cloudy part of the lens by a long incision in the cornea. After the surgery, an artificial intraocular lens is installed where the natural lens was.

Cataract Surgery to remove it is usually very safe and also has a high success rate. Most people are allowed to go home the same day as their surgery. Don’t worry you are in safe hands.

1. Phacoemulsification (Phaco)-

The most common technique used in developed countries. It involves the use of a machine with an ultrasonic hand piece equipped with a titanium or steel tip. The tip vibrates at ultrasonic frequency (40,000 Hz) and the lens material is emulsified. A second fine instrument (sometimes called a "cracker" or "chopper") may be used from a side port to facilitate cracking or chopping of the nucleus into smaller pieces. Fragmentation into smaller pieces makes emulsification easier, as well as the aspiration of cortical material (soft part of the lens around the nucleus). After phacoemulsification of the lens nucleus and cortical material is completed, a dual irrigation-aspiration (I-A) probe or a bimanual I-A system is used to aspirate out the remaining peripheral cortical material.

2. Monofocal Lens (Asperic Hydrophobic and hydrophilic)-

A monofocal IOL is an intraocular lens with a fixed focus for one distance. A cataract doctor may select monofocal IOLs that are for near focus, for mid-distance focus, or for distant focus. Only one of these three can be selected and the focus will not change after surgery.

Most IOLs are made of a flexible, foldable material and are about one-third of the size of a dime. Like the lenses of prescription eyeglasses, your IOL will contain the appropriate prescription to give you the best vision possible.

Multifocal Lens (Asperic Hydrophobic and hydrophilic)-

Advances in lens technology and new FDA approvals have provided more lens options for patients seeking multifocal capabilities. With a Multifocal Intraocular Lens, patients can experience excellent vision up close, far away and at every point in between.

Designed to deliver excellent visual quality and acuity over a range of distances, Multifocal Intraocular Lenes could reduce your dependence on spectacles for activities such as:

• Cooking, Cleaning and Playing Cards
• Reading, Smart Phone or Tablet Use
• Watching TV, Driving and Attending Sporting Events
• Shopping, Golfing and More

4. Sclera Fixated lens (SF IOL)-

Sclera fixation lens are implanted inside the eyes with the help of scleral support. Scleral fixation is an alternate way of fixing the IOL in the posterior chamber.It is indicated in case of Weak zonules, Posterior capsular tear and improper capsular bag support.

5. Trifocal lenses -

These latest-generation lenses are called trifocals because they offer clear vision at middle distances, which is generally anything at arm’s length. This is in addition to providing near and far vision.

What’s more, trifocal lenses allow a person to switch effortlessly between all three distances – near (reading) distance, long distance and the in between distances. Vision is clear at all those points – something the previous multifocal IOLs couldn’t achieve.