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| Cataract |
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What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. The lens works much like a camera lens, focusing light onto the retina at the back of the eye. The lens also adjusts the eye's focus, letting us see things clearly both up close and far away.
The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way that keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. But as we age, some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it may grow larger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Cataracts are very common among elder people, they tend to develop during the fifth or sixth decade of a person´s life.
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Normal eye
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Eye with Cataract |
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Symptoms and Signs |
A cataract starts out small, and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass or viewing an impressionist painting. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did.
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The most common symptoms are:
- Blurry vision without pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Frequent changes in your lens prescription
- Poor night vision
- Yellowish or pale colors
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What causes a cataract? |
The most common cause is the natural aging process of the eye. About half of the population has a cataract by age 65, and nearly everyone over 75 has at least one. But in rare cases, infants can have congenital cataracts. These are usually related to the mother having German measles, chickenpox, or another infectious disease during pregnancy, but sometimes they are inherited.Other causes could be: diabetes, past wounds, over exposure to sun light or ultraviolet rays, etc.
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How are caratacts detected |
Many cataracts are not easily perceived by another person, a cataract usually starts very small and practically unnoticeable but grows gradually larger and cloudier. Only a meticulous eye exam done by an ophthalmologist can determine wether or not your vision problem is caused by a cataract and if surgery is required.
If your cataract is interfering with your vision to the point where it is unsafe to drive, or doing everyday tasks is difficult, then it's time to discuss surgery with your doctor. |
How fast do cataracts develop? |
It depends on each person and can vary even between both eyes. The majority develop gradually, as the patient ages. Others (specially on young people and diabetics) can form very quickly in several months. |
How can they be treated? |
Surgery is the only way to eliminate the cataract, nevertheless, if the symptoms are not severe, maybe a simple adjustment in the lens prescription can be all the patient needs to improve his vision. |
What is the surgery all about? |
Cataract sugery should be considered when the patient can no longer perform normal activities due to his poor vision.
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In the surgery the cataract is extracted using a microincisional procedure and replaced with an intraocular lens, using phacoemulsification (ultrasonic cataract removal) technology. This type of procedure is considered state-of-the-art for cataract surgery today.To the patient, this means minimal discomfort during and after surgery, a more speedy recovery of vision, and reduced risk of induced astigmatism. |
The surgery is very quick, painless and does not require sutures nor hospitalization. |
Phacoemulsification |
An ultrasound or laser probe is used to break the lens (cataract) apart without harming the capsule. These fragments are then aspirated out of the eye.
A foldable intraocular lens is then introduced through the 3mm incision. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds to take position inside the capsule. No sutures are needed, as the incision is self-sealing.
The extensions on the sides of the lens help it stay put in its place, and allow the light that comes in to be focused adequately on the retina, so the patient can see clearly again. |
Multifunctional intraocular lens |
| Afterwards you`ll be taken to the surgery, which is done one eye at a time. You will lay on a bed with your face under a microscope, looking at a flashing red light. The doctor will use a small tool to separate your eyelids and inmovilize your eye. Then he will use a special marker to draw a dot on the cornea where the flap will be done, will place a metalic ring over your eye and proceed to create the flap. You will experience some seconds of total darkness and feel some pressure at this point, but no pain at all. |
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How it works? |
Apodization is a gradual reduction or blending of 12 concentric step heights. The gradual change creates a smooth transition of light between the distance, intermediate and near focal points to improve image quality while minimizing visual disturbances.
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This unique technology optimally manages light energy delivered to the retina because it distriubutes the appropriate amount of light to near and distant focal points, regardless of lighting situations. |
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What to expect after the surgery? |
* Nearly 94% of patients were so satisfied they would have the procedure again
* 80% of patients were without glasses for both near and distance tasks most of the time
* 85% of patients were able to see without glasses 20/25 in distance and J2 at near (smaller than newsprint)
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inicio |
CORNEA & LASIK SURGERY 
