Understanding cataracts and the surgery to treat them
June is observed as Cataract Awareness Month. What is a cataract? Will everyone get it? At what age does one get it? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about cataract.
A cataract is defined as the opacification of lens and/or its capsule. Normally, the human lens is transparent. With ageing, the normal transparency is lost and the lens become opaque: this is called cataract. In general, the aged population gets cataracts. Even a newborn can develop a cataract; however, the most common type is the senile cataract, amongst the older population.
When do you intervene?
Earlier, cataracts used to be removed in toto and a rigid intraocular lens (IOL) used to be placed inside the eye. Nowadays however, with advancements in technology, cataract surgeries are generally done as keyhole procedures. With a less then 3 mm incision, and using ultrasound energy, the cataracts are removed. Femto surgeries are now performed, which are blade-less and needle-less surgeries. A laser breaks the cataract into small pieces, which are then easily removed by phacoemulsification.
Intraocular lens (IOLs) have also evolved considerably. From the rigid IOLs used earlier, we have come a long way. Now, we use foldable IOLs . Multiple varieties of foldable IOLs are available from monofocal and modified monofocal to extended depth of focus IOL, trifocal and toric IOLs. Depending on the patient's need, the type of IOL is decided upon and it is implanted post cataract removal.
With the latest medical advances, the surgery has become more precise and gives excellent results. The surgical time has been reduced; it is a safe surgery and the patients recover very fast. They are able to resume their routine daily activity in a day or two.
(Dr. S. Soundari is regional medical director, Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai. soundari.s@dragarwal.com)
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