Cataract surgery: procedures, safety, risks, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is a cataract?

Cataracts are when the natural lens of your eye becomes blurry, usually as a result of getting older. Cataracts cause blurred vision or the focus in the eye to change.

When should I have cataract surgery?

If the lens in your eye is blurry and your vision starts to become cloudy, you may have cataracts. Cataract surgery is an operation to remove lens fog in your eye (cataract) and replace it with a clear artificial lens. Although cataracts are generally associated with age, several factors can cause this problem to appear at a younger age. No matter how old you are, cataract surgery can help improve your quality of life.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before having cataract surgery?

You can have 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 the removed lens are left behind after surgery and begin to grow back. This causes problems with your vision that are similar to cataracts. You can use laser treatment to fix the problem so that the lens doesn't need to be replaced.

Process

What should I do before having surgery?

You may have pre-operative tests. An ophthalmologist (a doctor who specializes in eye health, including eye surgery) will measure your eyes and vision. This test helps decide whether the artificial lens will be good for you, so that your eyesight will be just as good after surgery.

You can help yourself by preparing questions to ask about the risks, benefits, and alternative procedures. This will help you to get all the necessary information before you give your doctor permission to perform the surgery. You may be asked to sign a consent form.

How is this operation process?

Usually this operation takes about 30 minutes.

The surgeon will place eye drops on your eye to dilate the pupil and relax your eye muscles. This will make it easier to examine your eye and remove the lens. They will also put a local anesthetic in the form of eye drops into your eyes and cover your face with a clean cloth. This cloth will form a small tent over your face so you can still breathe and talk. Your surgeon will use a small clip to hold your lid open so you don't have to worry about blinking at the wrong moment.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon will make a small incision on the surface of your eye. Even if your eyes are open and you will be in a conscious state, you will not be able to see what instrument was used. However, you can see light and some movement. You will not feel pain.

The most common way to get rid of cataracts is with a type of surgery called phacoemulsification. Your surgeon will use a special instrument that uses ultrasound (sound waves) to break up the lens fog. You can hear a slight noise when this tool is used. The surgeon will remove the damaged lens from your eye. He will then place an artificial lens which will be in your eye permanently.

Your surgeon will usually allow your eye to heal naturally without stitches.

What should I do after surgery?

After you have been sedated, it will take several hours before your eyes can feel again. Your eyes will probably be covered with a protective shield, which you will wear throughout the 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 on how often to drip it.

Usually you are allowed to go home a few hours after surgery, when you feel ready. Make sure someone drives you home, and ask someone to stay with you for a day or a few days until the anesthesia wears off.

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 vary from person to person. Ask your surgeon to explain how the risk is to you.

Cataract surgery complications are rare but can include:

• • there is a tear in the lens capsule
  • a problem with the new lens, such as the wrong type or a problem with its position in your eye
  • severe eye infection
  • detached retina (when the thin line behind your eye separates from the blood vessels)
  • bleeding inside the eye (suprachoroidal haemorrhage) - your surgeon may need to stop the operation and you will have to do it another day

If any complications occur, they can affect your vision and you may need to have 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 cells from the removed lens are left behind after surgery and start growing back. This will cause problems with your vision that have symptoms similar to those of cataracts. You can do laser treatment to fix this.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.