Cataract is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is a condition that may be seen at birth or in the elderly. When it appears in newborns, it is usually the result of chemical or physical injury during pregnancy. In the elderly, on the other hand, it is a normal change of aging. Surgery is performed to remove the cataract and restore vision. There are some things on cataract surgery San Antonio residents need to know as they plan to have the procedure.
The severity of visual impairment due to cataract varies from one person to another. One or both eyes may be affected. The natural history of this condition is a gradual onset of cloudiness of vision that progress slowly over some years (in the case of adults). The role of surgery is to get rid of the opacity in the lens. The natural lens may be returned to its position or replaced with an artificial one.
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.
There is a need for one to be properly prepared. Part of the preparation entails an ophthalmic examination that is done to confirm the diagnosis of cataract and its severity. Cases that are associated with mild impairment may not necessarily require surgical intervention. Infections and increased intraocular pressure may mean that the procedure be postponed until the conditions have been managed.
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 adoption of laser techniques has contributed to better outcomes. Another major benefit of using laser is that more precise surgical incisions can be made compared to those made by the surgical knife. Bleeding and other complications are fewer when laser is used. Apart from making surgical cuts, laser beams have also replaced ultrasound probes in liquefying the hardened opacity before suctioning.
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.
There are a number of complications that may arise from this surgery. Although rare, one may suffer from bleeding into the eye. Infections may also be noted if adequate antibiotics are not used. The two complications are usually quite easy to manage and rarely impact on the outcomes. The main complication seen in the long term is posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It requires surgical correction.
The severity of visual impairment due to cataract varies from one person to another. One or both eyes may be affected. The natural history of this condition is a gradual onset of cloudiness of vision that progress slowly over some years (in the case of adults). The role of surgery is to get rid of the opacity in the lens. The natural lens may be returned to its position or replaced with an artificial one.
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.
There is a need for one to be properly prepared. Part of the preparation entails an ophthalmic examination that is done to confirm the diagnosis of cataract and its severity. Cases that are associated with mild impairment may not necessarily require surgical intervention. Infections and increased intraocular pressure may mean that the procedure be postponed until the conditions have been managed.
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 adoption of laser techniques has contributed to better outcomes. Another major benefit of using laser is that more precise surgical incisions can be made compared to those made by the surgical knife. Bleeding and other complications are fewer when laser is used. Apart from making surgical cuts, laser beams have also replaced ultrasound probes in liquefying the hardened opacity before suctioning.
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.
There are a number of complications that may arise from this surgery. Although rare, one may suffer from bleeding into the eye. Infections may also be noted if adequate antibiotics are not used. The two complications are usually quite easy to manage and rarely impact on the outcomes. The main complication seen in the long term is posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It requires surgical correction.
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