CLINICAL & SURGICAL SERVICES
Services
CATARACT
The natural lens of the eye is transparent. When a cataract clouds the lens of the eye, it leads to vision loss. This cloudiness prevents light from passing through the eye and due to this the vision of the person turns blurry. It can affect a single eye at a time or even both the eyes. This condition is especially common amongst people over the age of 55.
Types of Cataract
- Senile / Nuclear Cataract: Occurs due to ageing and at first causes far away objects to be blurry but close objects look clear. It is the most common cause of cataract formation.
- Posterior Subcapsular / Polar Cataract: This cataract starts as a small spot that usually forms near the back of the lens. Though does not affect the vision in routine circumstances, but causes blurring usually in very bright sunlight and also results in severe glare from car headlights during night driving.
- Hyper-mature Cataract: Presents when patient neglects the early cataract, and as left untreated, the cataract has grown dense, hard, and pearly white.
- Complicated Cataract: This form of cataract usually develops due to recurrent eye inflammations in the past, and also could be steroid treatment induced.
- Traumatic Cataract: It is triggered by an eye injury.
- Congenital Cataract: This form of cataract is present at birth.
Cataract
Cataract
Cataract
Cataract
Cataract
Cataract
Symptoms
- Cataracts may take a lot of time to develop and remain asymptomatic for long
- Reading or driving a car during the night may be a challenge
- Long distance vision is affected
- Seeing people’s facial expressions might be tough
- Blurry vision is very common in patients
- Patients see a halo around bright objects and sometimes even have double vision
- Eyeglasses need to be changed regularly and soon become less effective
- Small patches or dots may appear on the patient’s field of vision.
- In advanced cases, there might be pain or inflammation as well
Post-Operation
As the surgery is performed without any stitches, the incision in the eye heals by itself and the patient experiences an improvement in vision almost immediately, though it might take a few weeks to recover completely. Patients can follow their daily routine but vigorous activities should be avoided for a while. Depending on the intra-ocular lens used, a new pair of eyeglasses may or may not be needed. If both the eyes need surgery, the surgeries can be done a week apart.
If a person experiences decrease in sight or his field of vision, an ophthalmologist should be consulted.
- A visual acuity test is conducted to determine how clearly can the patient view an object and the patient is asked to read alphabets/numbers placed at a distance.
- Slit-lamp examination- It involves examining the cornea, lens and iris with the help of a microscope.
- Tonometry – Measures the pressure within the eye.
- Dilating the pupils with the help of eye drops for a retinal examination is necessary to rule out any retinal causes of decrease in vision, which may or may not be associated with the cataract.
Presently, there is no medication, eye drops, exercises or glasses to cure or prevent cataracts.
Surgery alone is the treatment of cataract. No medicines or diet can reverse cataract formation. During the surgery the cataractous lens is removed and is replaced by an artificial intra ocular lens (IOL).
Surgery
It is done under local anaesthesia, where the patient will feel no pain. Patients will be aware of a bright light during the surgery but will not experience any pain. Patients are discharged usually 1-hour post-surgery.
The surgery process involves removing the old cloudy lens with ultrasound energy/Laser and replacing it with an artificial intra-ocular lens. The different types of intra-ocular lenses that can be used are:
- Monofocal Lens: Fixed strength lens usually for distant viewing.
- Multifocal Lens: Lens may have two or more strength is for both near and distant viewing.
- Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF or EDF), or Extended Range of Vision is a new technology that has recently emerged in the treatment of Presbyopia-correcting IOLs. Usually recommended for patients who need good vision for operating computers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cataract surgery significantly improves your vision, and most people achieve 20/20 vision afterward. However, the outcome depends on the overall health of your eye and any other associated conditions you might have. While many achieve excellent results, some may still need glasses for reading or other activities. It’s best to discuss your specific case with your doctor for a clearer expectation.
At our clinic, we use advanced techniques and personalized care to help you achieve the best possible vision. Schedule a consultation to learn more about your specific case and expectations.
After cataract surgery, it’s generally okay to watch TV and use mobile screens in moderation after the first post-operative visit with the operating surgeon. It’s important to avoid straining your eyes, so we recommend taking regular breaks. Our team will provide detailed post-surgery care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. If you have any concerns or experience discomfort, don’t hesitate to contact us for personalized advice and support.
Patients undergo cataract surgery as per their medical requirements and doctor’s recommendations. Surgery is suggested when the patient finds it difficult to carry out his normal activities even after changing spectacles, making the patient feel insecure in moving around or doing his work and driving.
With modern technique of cataract surgery, recovery from cataract surgery is usually quick. Most patients notice improved vision within a few days and can resume normal activities shortly after. However, it can take a few weeks for your vision to fully stabilize. We provide detailed post-surgery care instructions and schedule follow-up visits to ensure your recovery progresses smoothly.
Cataract surgery should always be performed on one eye at a time. The second eye is typically treated atleast 10-15 days later, after the first eye has healed and your vision has stabilized.