Cataract Surgery & Treatment

Cataract Surgery & Treatment

Definition

Cataract is a condition where the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurred or reduced vision. Cataract surgery is a medical procedure to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), restoring clear vision.

Purpose of Cataract Surgery

  • To restore clear vision affected by cataracts

  • To improve quality of life and daily functioning

  • To prevent complications caused by advanced cataracts

Types of Cataract Surgery

  1. Phacoemulsification (Small Incision Cataract Surgery)

    • Most commonly used modern technique

    • Uses ultrasound waves to break the cloudy lens into tiny pieces

    • Lens fragments are removed, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted

    • Small incision heals quickly with minimal stitches

  2. Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE)

    • Used for very advanced or hard cataracts

    • Cloudy lens is removed in one piece through a larger incision

    • IOL is implanted

    • Requires stitches and longer recovery compared to phacoemulsification

  3. Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)

    • Uses a laser for precise incisions and lens fragmentation

    • Minimizes manual intervention, improves accuracy

    • Often combined with phacoemulsification

  4. Intracapsular Cataract Extraction (ICCE) (less common today)

    • Entire lens and surrounding capsule are removed

    • Rarely performed; used in complex cases

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • Restores clear vision

  • Reduces dependence on glasses for daily activities

  • Improves color perception and contrast

  • Enhances safety by reducing risks of falls

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