Best Cataract Treatment

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery, in simple terms, is the replacement of the affected lens with a new one. The operation involves making an incision near the cornea to suction out the natural lens, inserting and placing the new intraocular lens. The incision allows the surgeon to access inside the eye to break the cloudy lens and pull it out using suction. In the case of laser surgery, a precise incision is made with the help of 3D imaging. With laser cuts, the chances of self-healing are higher and the risk of infection is lower.

Grades

The progression of the cataract is divided into stages. 

A nuclear cataract is classified as:

• Grade 1- Mild
• Grade 2 – Moderate
• Grade 3 – Pronounced
• Grade 4 – Severe

Cortical cataracts are graded by the degree of interpupillary space obscured

• Grade 1- 10%
• Grade 2 – 10-50%
• Grade 3 – 50-90%
• Grade 4- > 90%

Posterior subcapsular grading:

• Grade 1- 3%
• Grade 2 – 30%
• Grade 3- 50%
• Grade 4- .50%

Factors Responsible for the Cataract Surgery

• Aging- After the age of 40, the proteins in the lens start breaking down naturally leading to dense clouds.
• Injury- Eye injury could cause damage to the lens tissues
• Exposure to sun – Overexposure to UV rays
• Genetic- Higher possibility to develop cataract due to inheritance

Complications involved in Cataract Surgery

The probability of complications in cataract surgery is minimal and treatable in most cases. The chances of complications are higher if the patient has other eye diseases or medical conditions. If there is underlying eye damage, cataract surgery might not improve vision damage. It is advisable to treat the other conditions before scheduling cataract surgery. The most common risks involved in cataract operation are inflammation, infection, bleeding, retinal detachment, drooping eyelids, glaucoma, loss of vision. All these conditions are treatable.

What should I do?

A cataract is a naturally developed condition that occurs with age. However, to slow the progression and reduce its impact on the vision it is essential to have regular eye checkups and control other risk factors that could increase the chances of cataract formation earlier than expected. If blurry and foggy vision starts developing, it is best to get medical help and discuss the treatment options with an ophthalmologist. Although surgery isn’t needed unless the quality of life is compromised, it is advisable to get the cataract removed as soon as it’s detected in order to avoid further damage to the vision.

Surgical Cures

The removal of cataract through surgery can be undergone at any stage. Corrected vision is achieved in most cases unless there are other underlying eye diseases. Phacoemulsification is the more preferred type of procedure, where the lens is broken down using ultrasonic energy. An ultrasonic probe is inserted through incisions around the cornea and the lens is emulsified. The emulsion is then sucked out. A plastic lens is then inserted in the place of the natural lens. Cataract surgery laser allows surgeons to complete these steps with much more precision and lesser chances of infection. Laser surgery for cataracts is a recent development and has a significant impact on cataract surgery costs.

Prevention from Cataract Surgery

Timely action to control any risk factors can help prevent cataracts or at least slow their progression. Early-stage detection is possible by having regular eye checkups. If caught at an early stage the condition can be treated before it affects the vision. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can also help prevent cataract development. Since the development of cataracts is a possible complication of diabetes, it is essential to treat and manage blood sugar levels. A healthy diet always plays a crucial role in preventing any health issue. The diet must have fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants to help maintain eye health. Protecting the eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses will also stop damage to the lens and developing a cataract.