What is a Cataract?
The eye sees light when it enters it, just like a camera. Much like the lens of a camera, your eye has a natural clear lens. The pupil controls the light rays that enter the eye onto the retina at the back.
The different parts of the retina collect light and transmit it to your brain, which allows you to see the image.
The lens should be clear so that light can pass through it. When you see clearly, light enters through your cornea, passes through your natural lens and is focused onto your retina.A cataract develops when the lens becomes cloudy or opaque.
A cataract scatters light rays as they pass through the eye, which causes blurred vision. The vision with a cataract may look fuzzy, colors may appear muted, and it may be more difficult to read signs while driving at night.
A cataract’s symptoms are progressive, and they cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Symptoms that interfere with daily activities or become bothersome should be treated.
What causes cataract?
Cataracts are most commonly caused by degenerative changes due to aging. Natural lens proteins break down with age. Degeneration leads to a clouded lens called a cataract. Among the possible causes are health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, smoking, eye injuries, infection and inflammation. Prolonged use of certain medications like steroids can also cause cataracts. Children can also suffer from cataracts due to genetic or metabolic defects.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
If you have cataract, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms.
Blurred vision
Objects' colors may appear faded
Night vision is poor
It is difficult to drive at night especially because of the glare of light
Insufficient light for reading
Haloes of colored light
There may be more than one image or a double image
What surgical techniques does IRIS offer for removing cataracts?
IRIS offers a variety of advanced, cutting-edge surgical techniques to treat cataracts.
The Doctor will recommend the best treatment option for you based on the type of cataract you have, your health condition, and your lifestyle. The two most commonly used surgical techniques are:
Phacoemulsification
The tiny instrument is inserted through a very small incision (approximately 2.2 to 2.8 mm wide).
As a result of ultrasound vibrations, the cataract is broken into tiny pieces. Suction is used to gently remove these pieces.
Closing the incision does not require stitches. With this minimally invasive procedure, healing is faster and safer, and you will be able to resume your normal activities in no time.
Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS)
It is also a new technique that involves the removal of the cataract manually through a slightly larger incision. Phacoemulsification may sometimes be difficult if the cataract is too hard.
What are the various lens options available at IRIS?
Options for intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataract surgery
Monofocal Lenses:
Monofocal IOLs are the most common type of lens implanted after cataract surgery. The lens provides clear distance vision. The patient will still need glasses for close detailed work and for reading. Monofocal lenses are available in different types of materials.
Toric Monofocal Lens:
This lens is used to correct corneal astigmatism. Provides correction for your distance vision and cylindrical power (if any), and will require you to wear glasses for near and intermediate work.
Aspheric Lens:
Almost all lenses have a spherical surface, which can cause aberrations in vision. A spheric lens enhances contrast sensitivity and vision quality. It also improves night vision and low-light visibility.
Multifocal Lens / Multifocal Toric Lens:
These lenses help users see clearly at close, intermediate, and far distances, thus reducing their dependency on glasses. A very few people may occasionally need them for fine tasks at close range. Newer generation multifocal IOL(EDOF) Extended Depth of Focus and (CRV) Continuous Range of Vision give best visual results.