Cataract Surgery
Cataract and Treatment Options
• Let’s understand the eye structure better to understand cataract better.
• Within the eye the coloured part is called iris and the transparent structure behind it is called the lens.
• When the normal lens becomes opaque or non-transparent, it is called a cataract.
• Patients with cataract cannot properly see through their eye lens and hence experience vision difficulties.
• Cataract develops in different people at different ages, but as a general rule, they develop slowly over a period of time. A cataract can take months or even years to reach a point where it starts affecting the vision in an adverse manner.
Causes Of Cataract
Age-Related Cataract – The natural aging process causes the lens fibres to become opaque over a period of time leading to cataract.
Traumatic Cataract – The traumatic causes include penetrating injury, concussion, electric shock, lightning, Ionizing radiation during ocular tumour treatment, or surgical trauma.
Metabolic Cataract – Defects in body metabolism due to diabetes, Galactosaemia or inborn metabolic error, or calcium disorder.
Steroid-Induced Cataract – Excessive intake of oral steroids or instilling steroid drops in the eye.
Drug Induced Cataract – Lens can become opaque due to drugs such as Chlorpromazine, Miotics, Busulphan, Amiodarone, or Gold.
Secondary Cataract – Primary eye disease such as glaucoma or chronic ocular inflammation can increase the risk of secondary cataract.
Cataract Evaluation
Early cataract detection is treated with prescription glasses.
Cataract surgery is suggested when lifestyle is affected and glasses are not helpful anymore.
Visual acuity – Vision in both eyes is checked using manual and tools such as glasses and pin-hole view. The macular function is evaluated and the visual post-recovery pattern is assessed.
Intra ocular pressure – If cataract causes intra-ocular pressure then surgery is required to avoid complications such as glaucoma.
Slit-lamp examination – Helps in diagnosis of type, opacity, morphology, etiology, and any other eye disease associated with cataract.
Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy – For detailed fundus examination.
A-scan biometry – For mature cataract, the posterior segment of the eye is evaluated to calculate the AL and IOL power for implantation.
Optical biometry – A highly accurate, friendly, and non-invasive method to calculate the IOL power for implants.
Surgical Options for Cataract
Q. What does FLACS do?
This Robotic System makes self sealing incision of perfect dimensions as opted by the surgeon. Accurate Corneal Incisions to correct astigmatism can be made. It also eases precise capsular openings (Capsulorhexis) along with fragmenting the cataractous nucleus & thus making the surgery safer with the best possible outcome.
FEMTO LASER ASSISTED ROBOTIC CATARACT SURGERY : Is It Worth the Cost?
• 100% Blade Free & 3D Imaging and Mapping • Safe & Precise
• Speedy Recovery
• Less Discomfort
• Critical Steps of Surgery are completely Computerised
Other Options For Cataract Surgery (Different Techniques)
Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (Ecce)-It is the Conventional technique which requires multiple stitches. The surgeon makes an incision of 10 – 12 mm to remove the clouded lens and then implants a non-foldable lens.
Phacoemulsification – An advanced and stitch less operation in which the surgeon emulsifies the cataract using ultrasound energy. A phacoemulsifier probe sucks out the liquefied cataract after that. The surgeon carefully implants a foldable intra- ocular lens in the eye. Vision is restored in a very short time and post-operative rehabilitation and recuperation are minimal.
MICS(Micro Incision Cataract Surgery)– A type of more advanced and stitch less micro-incisional phaco operation using ultrasonic energy
Femto Laser Assisted Robotic Cataract Surgery
The most advanced and reliable Femto Cataract or Laser-assisted cataract surgery.