Diagnosis:
There are chances that you might have cataract if you experience any of these symptoms:
Once you think you experience any of these problems, contact our eye care experts for a confirmed diagnosis. A timely diagnosis of cataract can prevent a lot of further damage to your eye and help you restore an optimum vision on time.
Diagnosing Cataract:
Our ophthalmologists use different examinations for diagnosing cataract. There are various tests used to make a clear diagnosis. A clinical eye examination is supported by glare sensitivity tests, night vision, contrast sensitivity; side vision tests are also performed. Besides these, a snellen eye chart, macular evaluation and corneal evaluation may also be needed.
Treatment for Cataract:
The most common and safest cataract surgery is Phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is a procedure which makes use of a small microscope which uses ultrasound energy to remove deposits from eye lens and a foldable intraocular lens is placed in capsule of the eye.
Phacoemulsification makes use of a microscopic probe. A small incision (about 2-2.5mm) is made in the eye ball. A circular opening is made in the anterior part of the capsule (a membrane that encloses the eye lens). The probe removes the deposits on the eye lens using ultrasonic energy. A foldable ocular lens is then placed in the capsule. This lens can remain in the eye for a lifetime and does not cause any problem. The incision is self-healing and requires no stitches. This stitch less procedure is completely safe and provides faster post-operative healing. The healing time is minimized because of the absence of any stitches.
Cold Phaco: Our latest and top-of-line Phacoemulsification machines are capable of performing Cold Phaco. One such machine is the ‘The WhiteStar Sinature with Ellips "Transversal Phaco" These machines minimize the intensity and amount of the ultrasound energy that is used for the procedure. Use of lesser ultrasound energy enhances safety and comfort of the procedure.
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in Phacoemulsification
There are different types of intraocular lenses used in the cataract surgery. The new decade IOLs come with better contrast sensitivity and glare correction. These are categorised as:
Micro incision IOL: These are ultrathin IOLs designed for micro incision cataract surgery.
Monofocal IOL: These IOL implants provide a good distant vision but will need reading glasses for near work. They come with a regular or aspheric surface. The aspheric design IOL gives better night contrast.
Multifocal IOL: These IOLs have different optical zones for different distances. They have various advantages over the monofocal lenses. They have been designed to give good functional distant, intermediate and near vision. They reduce the patient's dependence on glasses for routine activities.
Toric Lenses: These lenses have rapidly gained popularity for correction of astigmatism. These have different power incorporated in different part of the lens. They can correct the cylindrical power up to 4 dioptres in glasses. They reduce the dependence on glasses post-operatively. However spectacles may still be needed for reading, writing etc.
Accommodative IOL: Accommodative IOLs (Crystalens) simulate the movement of the natural eye lens. These lenses are able to move within the eye and are thus able to provide vision at different distances.
Besides Phacoemulsification, the other surgical options for the treatment of cataract include:
Extracapsular Cataract surgery: Extracapsular cataract surgery is performed in advanced cataract cases where the lens cannot be cleared using Phacoemulsification. This procedure requires postoperative sutures and the postoperative recovery is slower.
Intracapsular Cataract surgery: Intracapsular cataract surgery is rarely used. It is mostly used in cases of trauma. The capsule is removed along with the lens and the lens is laced at a new location in front of the iris.
Postoperative care: After the procedure you will be asked to come for a few follow up visits to monitor healing of the eye. A few eye drops will be prescribed to keep the eye lubricated and infection free. A few instruction about avoiding to stoop or bend forward or lifting heavy objects will be given .You will find the vision improving within few days.
Cataract surgery provides a significant vision improvement post-operatively. Prescription glasses with a small power might still be needed in few cases. The defects of the optic nerve and retina can only be noticed postoperatively.
There are chances that you might have cataract if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Blurred Vision. One might also experience foggy or filmy vision.
- Increased and frequent changes in the glasses prescription. An increase in the negative reading with a reduction in positive reading is observed
- Difficulty driving in the night
- Changes in the color perception
- One doesn’t feel the need for reading glasses
- Appearance of spots in vision when facing bright light at night time
- Double vision
Once you think you experience any of these problems, contact our eye care experts for a confirmed diagnosis. A timely diagnosis of cataract can prevent a lot of further damage to your eye and help you restore an optimum vision on time.
Diagnosing Cataract:
Our ophthalmologists use different examinations for diagnosing cataract. There are various tests used to make a clear diagnosis. A clinical eye examination is supported by glare sensitivity tests, night vision, contrast sensitivity; side vision tests are also performed. Besides these, a snellen eye chart, macular evaluation and corneal evaluation may also be needed.
Treatment for Cataract:
Treatment for cataract is decided based on the extent to which it affects one’s daily functioning and activities. Cataract can sometimes be corrected by a change in the glasses prescription or by the use of contacts. However, if the doctor feels that it is affecting your daily activities, then a cataract surgery is the only solution.
Cataract surgery- simple step to a clear vision
Cataract surgery is a completely safe and painless procedure which is performed in day care. The eye surgeons use local anaesthesia or topical anaesthesia (eye drops) which makes the procedure free of any pain or discomfort.
One should not delay getting the procedure done as the delay might worsen the cataract and cause unnecessary complications.
Phacoemulsification –Stitch less Cataract SurgeryThe most common and safest cataract surgery is Phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is a procedure which makes use of a small microscope which uses ultrasound energy to remove deposits from eye lens and a foldable intraocular lens is placed in capsule of the eye.
Phacoemulsification makes use of a microscopic probe. A small incision (about 2-2.5mm) is made in the eye ball. A circular opening is made in the anterior part of the capsule (a membrane that encloses the eye lens). The probe removes the deposits on the eye lens using ultrasonic energy. A foldable ocular lens is then placed in the capsule. This lens can remain in the eye for a lifetime and does not cause any problem. The incision is self-healing and requires no stitches. This stitch less procedure is completely safe and provides faster post-operative healing. The healing time is minimized because of the absence of any stitches.
Cold Phaco: Our latest and top-of-line Phacoemulsification machines are capable of performing Cold Phaco. One such machine is the ‘The WhiteStar Sinature with Ellips "Transversal Phaco" These machines minimize the intensity and amount of the ultrasound energy that is used for the procedure. Use of lesser ultrasound energy enhances safety and comfort of the procedure.
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in Phacoemulsification
There are different types of intraocular lenses used in the cataract surgery. The new decade IOLs come with better contrast sensitivity and glare correction. These are categorised as:
Micro incision IOL: These are ultrathin IOLs designed for micro incision cataract surgery.
Monofocal IOL: These IOL implants provide a good distant vision but will need reading glasses for near work. They come with a regular or aspheric surface. The aspheric design IOL gives better night contrast.
Multifocal IOL: These IOLs have different optical zones for different distances. They have various advantages over the monofocal lenses. They have been designed to give good functional distant, intermediate and near vision. They reduce the patient's dependence on glasses for routine activities.
Toric Lenses: These lenses have rapidly gained popularity for correction of astigmatism. These have different power incorporated in different part of the lens. They can correct the cylindrical power up to 4 dioptres in glasses. They reduce the dependence on glasses post-operatively. However spectacles may still be needed for reading, writing etc.
Accommodative IOL: Accommodative IOLs (Crystalens) simulate the movement of the natural eye lens. These lenses are able to move within the eye and are thus able to provide vision at different distances.
Besides Phacoemulsification, the other surgical options for the treatment of cataract include:
Extracapsular Cataract surgery: Extracapsular cataract surgery is performed in advanced cataract cases where the lens cannot be cleared using Phacoemulsification. This procedure requires postoperative sutures and the postoperative recovery is slower.
Intracapsular Cataract surgery: Intracapsular cataract surgery is rarely used. It is mostly used in cases of trauma. The capsule is removed along with the lens and the lens is laced at a new location in front of the iris.
Postoperative care: After the procedure you will be asked to come for a few follow up visits to monitor healing of the eye. A few eye drops will be prescribed to keep the eye lubricated and infection free. A few instruction about avoiding to stoop or bend forward or lifting heavy objects will be given .You will find the vision improving within few days.
Cataract surgery provides a significant vision improvement post-operatively. Prescription glasses with a small power might still be needed in few cases. The defects of the optic nerve and retina can only be noticed postoperatively.