A Comprehensive Guide to Cataract Surgery!

Cataract causes the eye lens to get blurry or cloudy, hence, affecting the vision. The blur of the vision is not curable by eye glasses. Thus. cataract surgery is there to correct the vision. Modern techniques like LASIK take less time and promise positive results as well.

Cataract Surgery: The Need!

Disturbed vision is one of the main reasons behind the requirement of cataract surgery. However, doctors also recommend the surgeries when it is not quite possible to detect other eye problems due to the presence of cataract. When the doctors/specialists are unable to detect other problems like age-related eye problems, or problems behind the eye lens, cataract surgery is suggested. Also, cataract surgeries need not to be conducted on immediate basis. One can think about it and can take time to research about the procedure as well. One may feel the discomfort in many day-to-day activities due to the blur vision. If yes, consulting a specialist is important. Usually, it happens with ageing and one may feel uneasy in doing one or more of the following activites: 1) Unable to drive properly 2) Problems in watching t.v. 3) Problems in seeing bright lights 4) Difficulty in daily activities like, reading, cooking, walking stairs, etc.

Risks Involved in Cataract Surgery

Talking about all the risks with the doctor makes sense. Not just talking, one must also talk about other eye problems beforehand. This helps to know about the involvement of potential risks. Generally, problems arise when one has more eye problems along with cataract. Some of the risks or problems that might occur are:

• Inflammation
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Glaucoma
• Dislocation of artificial lens
• Infection
• Retinal detachment
• Loss of vision

Preparation Before the Surgery

Before undergoing any surgical procedure, one must prepare for it. Before going for cataract surgery, doctor may ask the patient to follow these steps: Discontinuing Certain Medication: Doctors advise the patients to stop taking any kind of medication that may cause or increase bleeding while conducting the surgery. Doctors must be aware about all the medicines patient is eating. Medication for prostate may interfere with cataract surgery, thus, the doctor must be aware about the same. Conducting Tests: Ultrasound is done prior to the surgery to know the exact size and shape of the eye. This helps in proper lens implant in the eye. Eating or Drinking: Doctors can advise the patients to not eat or drink anything 12 hours prior to the surgery. Use of Eyedrops: In case of infection or in order to avoid the risk of the same, use of antibiotic eye drops is important. Post-surgery Activities: Patients are not able to drive immediately after the surgery. Thus, one should plan a ride to way back home. Also, doctors don't allow some of the other activities like lifting stuff, straining eyes to focus at something, etc.

Selection of IOL

Today, there are different Intraocular lens (IOL) to choose from. Different types serve different needs. Traditionally, there were options to correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. However, there are toric IOLs, which can help correct astigmatism. These lenses correct the sight by focusing the light on the back of the eye. Considering lifestyle and cost factors is important to avoid post-surgery regrets. IOLs come in different materials like plastic, silicone, and acrylic. Along with that, there are other vision factors as well which one must consider. Presbyopia occurs due to age and effects the vision. If the patient wants to be less dependent on eye glasses, surgeons can adjust one monofocal IOL's power. Consequently, the patient will need to use the glasses while reading only. However, one can completely opt out for putting on the eye glasses as well.  There are advanced presbyopia-correcting IOLs, which one can opt without compromising any vision abilities. This is a nice option to try. However, costs more than other procedures. Patients can talk to the doctors as well to understand the options and know which one is the most suitable. Also, one should discuss about the  medications and complications at length.

Different Types of Lenses

Monofocal Lens (fixed-focus): The type of lens has single focus for distance eye vision. For reading, one will need an eye glass. Monofocal (accommodating): The type of lens has a single focusing strength and can shift focus from distant to nearby objects. Multifocal: This lens type allows focusing for near, medium, and even far visions. Toric: Toric lens help cure astigmatism and help the correct the overall vision.

Cataract Surgery AfterCare

One must not expect the vision to be clear right away the surgery. It takes a few days for the vision to be clear. Patients feel the colors to be brighter than ever. One needs to visit doctor regularly for the following week to ensure the proper healing of the eye. Along with this, there might be a little discomfort in the eye, but rubbing the same won't work. Doctors or specialists also advise to use the eye drops and eye patch or glasses for some days to ensure healthy healing. Doctors suggest steroid shots as well to avoid inflammation. often, it takes eight weeks to proper healing of the eye. There are some of the effects that one may notice. In case, consulting a doctor is important. Some problems are:

• Loss of vision
• High redness in eye
• Spots in the eye
• Extensive unsettling pain

In case of cataract presence in both eyes, doctors advise the second surgery after the proper healing of first eye.

Results

Cataract surgeries are helpful in restoring the eye vision. People who've had cataract surgery may develop the complication of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). This takes place when the part of the lens is not removed in the first surgery. Thus, that seeks support of the lens implant. Once the patient has gone through the procedure , the patient is kept in the hospital for an hour. Doctors also ensure to avoid pressure on the eye. Renal detachment and increased eye pressure are rare scenarios during or post surgery.