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With the formation
of a cataract, activities like reading, sports, or
driving can be difficult. Fortunately,
vision usually can be restored quickly, allowing
the patient to return home and back to normal
activity within a short time after surgery.
With new advances in cataract surgery, noticeable
visual improvement usually begins almost
immediately, and an eye patch is rarely needed.
Note:
Be sure to slide your mouse over each of the
"eye" graphics to see the image change
and offer you additional information.
What
is a Cataract?
A cataract is the
clouding of the lens of the natural eye.
Normally, light passes through the clear lens
and is focused onto the retina. However, as a result of the natural aging
process, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. The cataract, or cloudy lens, blocks the passage
of light through the eye and causes distorted or
blurred vision.
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Restoring
Vision
Once a cataract
has formed, the most effective way to restore
vision is to remove the cloudy cataract and
replace it with a plastic lens implant
(Intraocular lens or IOL -- provides excellent
vision and requires no special care after
cataract surgery).
With recent
advances in cataract surgery equipment and
techniques, vision can be restored safer and
faster, allowing patients to resume normal
activities within hours after surgery (some
activities may be limited during healing).
Using these state-of-the-art techniques,
cataract surgery has a success rate of greater
than 98%.
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Topical
or "No-Needle" Anesthesia
Previously,
cataract surgery was performed under general
anesthesia, requiring patients to stay in the
hospital. Later advances used a local
anesthesia injected behind the eyeball.
Although this procedure allows the patients to
return home the same day and is safer than using
general anesthesia, it is not entirely free of
risk.
Today, with
recent advances in cataract surgery anesthesia,
topical anesthetics are usually used.
Patients may be given an IV sedative to help
them relax and to keep them comfortable during
the procedure. Next, the eye is
anesthetized with eye drops instead of a needle
injection.
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Advantages
of Topical Anesthesia
 | Faster
with greater patient comfort. |
| No
patient anxiety over receiving a deep
injection next to the eyeball. |
| Visual
recovery begins immediately since the eye
muscles are not paralyzed as with local block
anesthesia. |
| Eliminates
potential complications such as perforation of
the eye, hemorrhage, or damage to the optic
nerve. |
| Removes
the chance for a relatively dangerous
anesthesia-induced allergic reaction. |
| Eliminates
the potential for postoperative headaches
caused by conventional blocks. |
| Eliminates
the need for an eye patch. |
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No-stitch,
Self Sealing Incision Surgery
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A
small 1/8 inch opening (instead of a
relatively wide incision) is created with
a specific self sealing technique. The new
technique places the incision into the
cornea (clear part of the eye that covers
the iris or colored portion of the eye)
just next to the sclera (white part of the
eye). |
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Ultrasound
is used to gently break up (or emulsify)
the cloudy lens into tiny pieces which can
be removed through the tip of the "phaco"
probe instead of a wide incision. |
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A
special lens (IOL) is then implanted
through the smaller incision. |
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The
final replacement lens is shown in place.
The small "No Stitch" incision
does not require sutures. |
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Key
Benefits of "No Stitch", Clear Corneal
Incision
| No
placement or removal of sutures. |
| May be
performed under local or topical anesthesia. |
| Requires
NO PATCH when combined with topical
anesthetics. |
| It is a
bloodless incision. |
| Reduces
postoperative restrictions. |
| Improves
postoperative vision and minimizes
postoperative astigmatism. |
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What
to Expect After Surgery
Many patients are
pleased to find that after topical, clear
corneal cataract surgery, their vision
improvement begins almost immediately, and they
return home shortly after the procedure.
Patients may find their vision better than ever;
however, many will need to wear glasses for
reading and other activities following the
procedure. During the initial
healing period, there may be a few limitations
on strenuous activities. However, most
people find that they are able to return to a
normal lifestyle immediately, in addition to
doing things poor cataract vision had restricted
them from doing in the past.
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"Secondary"
Cataracts
During cataract
surgery, a clear capsule surrounding the
cataract is left in place to support the lens
implant. In some cases, this capsule may
turn cloudy months or years after surgery,
creating a "secondary" cataract.
If this occurs, an outpatient laser procedure
will quickly restore good vision.
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Sight
Loss Can Be Prevented
Permanent loss of
sight from cataracts is usually preventable.
With modern technology, cataracts can be removed
and good vision restored when a person feels the
loss of vision is great enough to interfere with
daily activities.
If you are
experiencing the symptoms of cataracts or other
vision problems, you should obtain a complete
eye examination.
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Free
Screenings for Cataracts
Every Friday at
the Idaho Eye Centers in Idaho Falls and
Pocatello between 10:00
AM and 4:00 PM
(no
appointment necessary)
Any
day at the Idaho Eye Center in Rexburg by
appointment.
Click
here to request additional information.
Cataract information provided by
ApaGrafix INC.
 
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