CATARACT AND SURGERY
What is a Cataract?
It is the partial or total opacity (cloudy) of the crystalline lens, with which we can usually focus both from far and near. It’s located behind the pupil and iris, we enjoy its transparency most of our lives, however the fact that this crystalline lens is no longer transparent we call it CATARACT.
Usually cataracts are associated with age and does not give initial symptoms but it diminishes the vision progressively. Some patients may experience symptoms like:
Cataract Surgery
Over 30 million surgeries around the world make this the most frequently performed procedure and its succesful rate one of the highest in medicine.
Today the most advanced technique is called “PHACOEMULSIFICATION” and it uses ultrasound to fragment the cataract into small pieces and aspirate them, all this within the eye and through wounds smaller than 2.8 milimeters. Finally an intraocular lens is implanted that usually has the ideal power to correct the individual prescription of each eye.
The surgery is usually done in one eye at a time and the other eye as soon as the next day or as late as wanted. It is done with topical anesthesia (drops) and sedation (relaxing / anxiolytic) under the care of an anesthesiologist. This outpatient procedure usually lasts only about 15-20 minutes.
Recovery
Just minutes after completing the procedure, the patient usually retires home to rest with a protective patch on the operated eye. The next day the patch is removed in the office and the results are usually immediate and extraordinary.
Mild discomfort is not rare after surgery, and may last two or three days. Eye drops are prescribed to prevent infection and promote healing.
One week of relative resting is necessary to avoid early postoperative complications. Sunglasses are recommended during daytime to avoid discomfort of sunlight and also protect the eye.
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