CATARACT
Cataract is the clouding or loss of transparency of the normally clear lens inside the eye that obscure your vision. It may be like looking through a frosty window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night). Most people experience a gradual blurring of vision and glare in bright light. Cataracts are common and most cataracts develop slowly as you get older. It is part of aging process. In fact, a third of people aged over 65 have a cataract. Good news is, it is treatable.
Causes of Cataract
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The most common cause of cataract is aging. Other causes include trauma, long term use of steroid medications, systemic diseases such as diabetes and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and smoking.
Some inherited genetic disorders that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts. Cataracts can also be caused by other eye conditions and previous eye surgery
Symptoms of Cataract
As most of the Cataracts develop gradually, it is often not noticed at first when the clouded vision cause by a cataract may affect only a small parts of the lens in the eye. But with time, the cataract grows larger causing the lens becomes very cloudy. The cloudiness of the lens blocks the light from focusing onto the retina and makes the vision become very poor.
Main Symptoms
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Clouded or blurred vision
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Haloes or glare around bright lights
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Increasing difficulty with vision at night
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Fading or yellowing of colours
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Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
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Frequent changes in spectacles or contact lens prescription
Treatment for Cataract
Cataract will continue to develop if it is left untreated and may lead to complete blindness in the affected eye. Good news is, Cataracts can be treated safely, simply and effectively. It is important to treat cataracts not only to improve your quality of life but to prevent serious worsening of your eyesight. The only treatment option for cataracts is surgery as it cannot be treated with medication. Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the cloudy lens of your eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens, Intraocular Lens (IOL) . This surgery is common and generally a safe and effective procedure and it is one of the most successful surgeries. The operation takes approximately 20 minutes. Patient is admitted to our day care surgery centre for only 4 to 8 hours. Hence, when the impaired vision affect your daily activities, you may consider Cataract Surgery to restore your vision.
Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery
Phacoemulsification cataract surgery, sometimes called 'no-stitch' or "sutureless" surgery, is a procedure in which an ultrasonic device is used to remove a cataract from the eye to improve the vision. The insertion of an intraocular lens (IOL) usually immediately follows phacoemulsification.
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During a procedure, a tiny incision about 2.2 to 2.75mm is made at the edge of your cornea (clear front part of your eye) and a needle-thin probe is inserted into the cloudy lens substance/cataract. The probe, a high-frequency ultrasonic device breaks up the cloudy lens into small pieces, which are then gently removed from the eye with suction. After all remnants of the cloudy lens have been removed from your eye, a clear intraocular lens (IOL) will be positioned securely and permanently behind the iris into the capsular bag, same place as your natural lens. It helps to focus light onto the retina. The tiny incision often does not require sutures to close.
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Phacoemulsification is painless, without injection and does not require suturing. With the modern technology, the surgery can be performed within 10 to 20 mins by an experienced surgeon. Vision restores quickly and generally the patient can see clearly on the next day of surgery. New technologies in phacoemulsification have promoted faster healing and reducing the risk of cataract surgery complication such as a retinal detachment, corneal decompensation and expulsive hemorrhage. This cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures performed today.
What is Intraocular Lens (IOL)?
Intraocular Lens (IOL) is an artificial lens made of clear plastic that is implanted in the eye. It replaces the eye's natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery.
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When the lens inside the eye is clear, it will allow light to focus onto the retina. When a cataract develops, the lens will become so cloudy that lights is blocked and vision becomes blurry. The IOL implant is used to replace the lens with cataract and allows to restore the vision. IOL remains in the eye after surgery and lens implant is expected to last a lifetime.
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Types of IOL implants:
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Monofocal+/- Toric lens - only corrects the distance vision and astigmatism
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Multifocal +/- Toric lens - corrects both distance, near vision and astigmatism
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Trifocal +/- Toric lens - correct for distance, intermediate, near vision and astigmatism
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Today there is a wide variety of premium IOLs to choose from. The best intraocular lens for you depends on many factors, including your lifestyle and your specific visual needs. Our cataract specialist consultant, Dr Ho, will choose the best IOL for your needs during your preoperative exam and consultation with him.
Benefits of Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery
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No hospitalization required - Walk in, Walk out surgery/Daycare surgery.
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The procedure is quick, safe and effective.
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Incision size is small, hence heal faster.
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Lesser induced astigmatism because of smaller incision.
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With or without bandages depending on patient's preference.
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Normally can gain back good vision immediately after surgery.
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Can return to normal activities faster.
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Final spectacles at 3-4 weeks preferably.
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Early visual rehabilitation.
