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Medical Video: Cataract Surgery (2009)
Definition
What is cataract?
Cataracts are when your eye's natural lens becomes blurred, usually caused by age. Cataracts cause blurred vision or focus on the eyes to change.
When should I have cataract surgery?
If the lens of your eyes is blurred and your vision begins to become foggy, you may have cataracts. Cataract surgery is an operation to remove lens fog in your eyes (cataracts) and replace it with a clear artificial lens. Although cataracts are generally related to age, several factors can cause this problem to appear at a younger age. No matter how old you are, cataract surgery can help increase the quality of your life.
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing cataract surgery?
You can undergo cataract surgery at any stage; You shouldn't have to wait until your eyesight has gotten worse.
One problem that can occur after cataract surgery is posterior capsular opacification. This condition occurs when cells from a retractable lens are left behind after surgery and begin to grow again. This causes problems with your vision that are similar to cataracts. You can use a laser treatment to correct the problem so that the lens does not need to be replaced.
Process
What should I do before doing the surgery?
You may have a pre-operative test. An ophthalmologist (eye health specialist, including eye surgery) will measure your eyes and vision. This test helps decide whether an artificial lens will be good for you, so that your vision will be as good after surgery.
You can help yourself by preparing questions to ask about alternative risks, benefits, and procedures. This will help you to get all the information needed before you give your doctor permission to do the surgery. You may be asked to sign the consent form.
What is the process of this operation?
Usually this operation takes about 30 minutes.
The surgeon will drip eye medication on your eyes to dilate the pupils and relax your eye muscles. This will make it easier to examine your eyes and remove the lens. They will also put local anesthesia in the form of eye drops into your eyes and cover your face with a clean cloth. This cloth will form a small tent above your face so you can still breathe and talk. Your surgeon will use a small clip to hold your petals open so you don't have to worry about flashing at the wrong moment.
When the anesthetic starts, your surgeon will make a small slice on the surface of your eye. Even though your eyes are open and you will be in a conscious state, you will not be able to see what tools are used. However, you can see light and some movements. You will not feel pain.
The most common way to get rid of cataracts is by a type of surgery called phacoemulsification. Your surgeon will use a special device that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to break the lens fog. You can hear a little noise when using this tool. The surgeon will remove the damaged lens from your eyes. He will then put an artificial lens that will be permanently inside your eyes.
Your surgeon will usually allow your eyes to heal naturally without seams.
What should I do after surgery?
After being sedated, it will take several hours before your eyes can feel again. Your eyes may be covered with protective shields, which you will use all night.
You may be given antibiotic drops to use at home to help prevent infection. You may also be given steroid drops to help control the swelling of your eyes. It is important to follow your surgeon's advice about how often it drips.
Usually you are allowed to go home a few hours after surgery, when you feel ready. Make sure someone takes you home, and asks someone to stay with you a day or a few days until the effect of the anesthetic disappears.
Complications
What complications can occur?
As with every procedure, there are several risks associated with cataract surgery. The risk depends on your condition, so it will be different for everyone. Ask your surgeon to explain how the risk is to you.
Complications of cataract surgery are rare but can include:
- there is a tear in the lens capsule
- problem with a new lens, for example the type is wrong or there is a problem with its position in your eyes
- severe eye infection
- the retina detaches (when a thin line behind your eyes is separated from its veins)
- suprachoroidal haemorrhage - your surgeon may need to stop the operation and you have to do it another day
If there are complications that occur, this can affect your vision and you may need to do another operation. Ask your surgeon to explain the risks in detail to you.
The most common problem you can get after cataract surgery is called posterior capsule opacification (PCO). This occurs when the cells of the released lens are left behind after surgery and begin to grow again. This will cause problems with your vision, with symptoms similar to cataracts. You can do laser treatment to fix this.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
