Cataract Surgery - Restoring Vision through Modern Techniques
When the lens of the eyes which are in the shape of small transparent disc develop cloudy patches than this disease is termed as “Cataract”. Cataract can cause loss of vision and can be dangerous over time it can cause you to become completely blind, so it is very important to have regular appointments with your optician to check for signs of developing a cataract.
Considering that you have developed cataract than cataract surgery is the only viable option, since none of the current medicines or eye drops have shown to be effective in the treatment of cataract. Cataract if left untreated can degrade your quality of life and your vision over time. The surgery for cataract can be done through the NHS for some people, but if you are not one of these people than cataract surgery will be a costly procedure for you through private means.
Understanding the Basics of Cataract Removal
The preparations for a cataract removal procedure will include: referring to an eye specialist, who will take a full assessment of your condition, measurements of your eye and will guide you in deciding the best possible treatment for your case. The doctor will check with you about the lens he/she will use as per your need for long sightedness or short sightedness. He will also assess the risk associated with the procedure and determine if there will be a need for glasses after the procedure.
The cataract surgery is quite a simple procedure that usually lasts anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour. There would be no need for an overnight stay, you would only be administered with local anesthetic. You will likely to be discharged on the same day of the procedure after you have recovered from the effect of anesthesia.
The procedure consists of making a small incision on the eye to remove the old cloudy lens and fit a new lens; the choice of lens could be Mono focal or multifocal depending on the choice you have made beforehand, considering that both the eyes require surgery for cataract then the procedure for the second eye would be done 6 weeks apart. It allows sufficient time for the first eye to heal completely and to reduce any loss of functionality due to vision between the two procedures.
