CATARACTWhat is a cataract? A Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. This lens is normally clear and transparent. When it becomes cloudy, it behaves like a frosted window and vision can become blurry.
What causes a cataract? The most common cause is aging. Others include diabetes, eye injury, metabolic diseases, drugs and hereditary conditions.
Does cataract cause pain or redness of the eyes? What are the symptoms it may give rise to? In the early stage, there are no symptoms. You may not feel any pain and the eyes do not turn red. Your vision may not be affected and you can still enjoy a normal life. As the cataract progresses, you may have the following symptoms: - blurry vision
One should understand that the progression of cataract in the two eyes
may be asymmetrical. If I have cataract, how should it be treated? Do I need to take any medicine? Surgery is the only effective way of removing the cloudy lens. No eye drop or oral medicine has been shown to be effective in preventing or reducing the progression of cataract in human beings. When shall I receive surgery? Should it become "mature" before surgery can be done? As mentioned, during the early stage of cataract, your vision is not affected. Hence, surgery may not be needed immediately. As the condition progresses, the patient and the doctor should decide together when to remove the cataract. It depends on how much the patient's work or daily activities is affected. The decision does not depend on whether it is mature or not. Can doctors use laser to treat my cataract? Cataract operation is done under an operating microscope. The cataractous lens can be removed with the help of special surgical instruments or an ultrasonic probe (phacoemulsification) through a wound created in the eye. Application of laser in cataract operation is still under investigation and this is not the standard choice. Shall I feel any pain during the surgery? Nowadays, most patients are fit for local anesthesia or even topical anesthesia, and the operation is pain free. However, for those who may not be able to cooperate; for example, children, the elderly with difficulty in lying flat due to shortness of breath, or those with complicated medical problems, general anesthesia may be a better choice. Should intraocular lens be implanted into my eye? Most patients are suitable for intraocular lens implantation. However, during the operation, the surgeon will examine the condition of the eye carefully after extraction of the cataractous lens to see if an artificial intraocular lens can be safely implanted without causing any side effect. Are sutures needed for my eye during the operation? Do they need to be removed later? Sutures are normally placed at the incision at the end of the operation and may be left in the eye indefinitely or be removed at a later stage, depending on the situation. However, for those cataracts that are not too dense, phacoemulsification technique may be applied. The incision in this procedure is much smaller and it may not need to be sutured.
Is there any special care after the surgery? Following surgery, the patient will need to use eye drops and medications as prescribed by the doctor. Rubbing, pressing on the eye and vigorous activities should be avoided until the wound has completely healed.
Why spectacles are needed after cataract operation in some patients? Implantation of the intraocular lenses eliminates the need of wearing of aphakic glasses with thick and heavy lenses. However, most patients may still have a low degree of refractive error and need a pair of low power spectacles, depending on their visual requirement. On the other hand, patients need reading glasses to see objects in close range and to read after the operation because the intraocular lens has only one single focal length, which is usually chosen for distant vision. After a successful operation, some patients' vision deteriorates again. Why? Is there any way to correct it? During the cataract operation, the cataractous lens is removed while the transparent posterior capsule of the natural lens is left behind for accommodating the intraocular lens. Occasionally, this capsule may become opaque months or years after the surgery. A special laser can be employed to make a clear opening in the capsule so that the vision can be restored. How safe and good is cataract surgery in general? With medical and technological advances, cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure in restoring eyesight; however, it is important to understand that complications can still occur during or after surgery, sometimes severe enough to limit vision. Although uncommon, infection, bleeding, glaucoma, and retinal detachment are some of the more serious complications. In general, the success rate is over 90% unless there was pre-existing problems with the cornea, retina and nerve.
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