Cataract is a common cause of visual impairment world over. It may be seen in newborn babies or in the elderly. In the case of newborns, its presence is suggestive of exposure to chemicals or physical trauma during the pregnancy. Among the elderly, it is largely considered part of the aging process. If they plan on having cataract surgery San Antonio eye patients need to understand a number of things on the procedure.
The severity varies and one or both eyes may be affected. The typical history is a gradual onset of clouded vision that progresses slowly over time. The substance that clouds vision forms within the lens but the rest of the eye is largely unaffected. Surgery is used to either remove the lens in its entirety then replace it with an artificial one or to get rid of the cataract and return the lens in its position.
The more preferred option is replacement of a damaged lens with an artificial one. Artificial lenses are more transparent but have the disadvantage of not being able to stretch like the natural ones when focus shifts from one object to another. The method that is used to remove and replace the lens is referred to as phacoemulsification. It involves the opening up of the lens through a surgical incision and melting the hardened center before suctioning it out using a vacuum.
Proper preparation should be done before you undergo the operation. One of the most important steps is an ophthalmic examination that is aimed at confirming the diagnosis and its severity. The doctor will assess your suitability as a candidate at this time and share the same with you. Underlying conditions such as high intraocular pressure and infections may increase the risk of complications and should be managed first.
The operation is a minor surgical procedure that can be safely performed in an outpatient clinic. Except in rare cases, general anesthesia is not needed. What this means is that you will be awake as the operation goes on. To reduce the sensitivity of the eye being operated on, local anesthesia will be administered as eye drops or as an injection to the eye lids.
The use of laser in this type of surgery has greatly improved the outcomes. Apart from reduced complications, the technique has also significantly reduced the time needed for the patients to fully recover from the operation. Laser is used in two main ways. The first is in creation of surgical incisions on the cornea and the lens so as to access the hardened center. The second use is in the liquefaction process.
Improvements are usually noticed as early as the first day after the surgery. Maximal benefits will, however, be realized within a couple of weeks. When an artificial intraocular lens is used, glasses are usually required as well. Apart from improved visual acuity, patients will also find it easier to look directly into light or bright objects and will also be able to differentiate colors.
As is the case with many surgical operations, complications may be encountered in the course of this operation. Bleeding and infections are the most probable but are fairly easy to manage. The most serious long term complication is a condition referred to as posterior capsule opacification (or PCO). It occurs when the cloudy opacity reappears within the lens. Surgery is needed to correct the problem.
The severity varies and one or both eyes may be affected. The typical history is a gradual onset of clouded vision that progresses slowly over time. The substance that clouds vision forms within the lens but the rest of the eye is largely unaffected. Surgery is used to either remove the lens in its entirety then replace it with an artificial one or to get rid of the cataract and return the lens in its position.
The more preferred option is replacement of a damaged lens with an artificial one. Artificial lenses are more transparent but have the disadvantage of not being able to stretch like the natural ones when focus shifts from one object to another. The method that is used to remove and replace the lens is referred to as phacoemulsification. It involves the opening up of the lens through a surgical incision and melting the hardened center before suctioning it out using a vacuum.
Proper preparation should be done before you undergo the operation. One of the most important steps is an ophthalmic examination that is aimed at confirming the diagnosis and its severity. The doctor will assess your suitability as a candidate at this time and share the same with you. Underlying conditions such as high intraocular pressure and infections may increase the risk of complications and should be managed first.
The operation is a minor surgical procedure that can be safely performed in an outpatient clinic. Except in rare cases, general anesthesia is not needed. What this means is that you will be awake as the operation goes on. To reduce the sensitivity of the eye being operated on, local anesthesia will be administered as eye drops or as an injection to the eye lids.
The use of laser in this type of surgery has greatly improved the outcomes. Apart from reduced complications, the technique has also significantly reduced the time needed for the patients to fully recover from the operation. Laser is used in two main ways. The first is in creation of surgical incisions on the cornea and the lens so as to access the hardened center. The second use is in the liquefaction process.
Improvements are usually noticed as early as the first day after the surgery. Maximal benefits will, however, be realized within a couple of weeks. When an artificial intraocular lens is used, glasses are usually required as well. Apart from improved visual acuity, patients will also find it easier to look directly into light or bright objects and will also be able to differentiate colors.
As is the case with many surgical operations, complications may be encountered in the course of this operation. Bleeding and infections are the most probable but are fairly easy to manage. The most serious long term complication is a condition referred to as posterior capsule opacification (or PCO). It occurs when the cloudy opacity reappears within the lens. Surgery is needed to correct the problem.
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