Cataract Surgery

Definition

Cataract is the loss of transparency of the lens.

In conjunction with the cornea, the lens (which is a transparent intraocular lens located behind the pupil) has the function of focusing the light rays sharply on the retina.

Advanced age is among other circumstances, the most common reason why the lens may lose transparency and may become cloudy. The cataract will affect vision and increase depending on its location in the lens and of the loss of transparency that it causes.

According to the location of the cataracts, they can be: nuclear (in the lens nucleus), sub capsular (under the capsule) or cortical (located in the cortex).

Symptoms

- Loss of colour intensity, predominating the yellowish tones.
- Dimming and decreased visibility at night.
- Blurred vision and sometimes double.

Causes

- Advancing age.
- Family history.
- Diabetes.
- Use of corticosteroid medications.
- Previous eye injury or inflammation (wound, cut, burn or by intense heat).

Treatment

The most modern method for cataract removal is phacoemulsification.

The lens is dissolved by ultrasound and absorbed through a small cannula. Then, through a 2.8 mm incision, an artificial intraocular lens is introduced and will function like the lens, improving its prescription with the proper focusing power in addition to the possible preoperative myopia or hyperopia that the patient had.

The operation is performed on an outpatient basis, it does not require hospitalization, the approximate time of the surgery is 20 minutes and it is done under local anesthesia.

Once the procedure is accomplished, the patient can go home on his own, gaining a very fast visual recovery.