Cataract Implants
Everything You Need to Know about Cataract Implants
This is an article that will provide all the information you need to have about cataract surgery and cataract implants. It is estimated that around 2.5 million people undergo cataract surgery every year in the US and so this is not an unusual surgery. Cataract describes a clouding of the natural lens of the human eye and it affects many people as part of the ageing process. It is believed that protein build ups over a period of time contribute to the cataract which impedes vision. If things go according to plan, cataract surgery is also not a very complicated procedure - which is why it is an outpatient procedure that does not require an overnight hospital stay. Today’s developments in medical science have made cataract surgery a very straight-forward experience and a well-informed patient will find it easy to handle the whole procedure.
Cataract surgery is usually performed under a local anesthetic which will help ensure that the patient will not feel any pain or discomfort when the doctor is working on an eye. After the anesthetic takes effect, a tiny incision is made to allow a microscopic instrument to be inserted. Ultrasound technology is used at the end of the instrument to gently break down the cataract covering the eye. By breaking it down into small enough pieces, the surgeon is making the process of removing the cataract from the body much simpler.
If one important part of the cataract surgery is the removal of the clouded lens, the other important part of it involves the insertion of a new intraocular lens to replace the removed lens. The new lens is placed where the old one used to be, using the incision at the edge of the cornea that was used for the removal of the old lens.
Following the completed surgery, patients can anticipate spending a short time at the hospital before being discharged. Usually, a follow-up visit is scheduled the next day to make sure that the eye has taken well to the changes. The eye doctor may recommend the use of eye drops to help with irritation or pain. Sometimes a protective shield, such as a pair of sunglasses, is recommended mainly to avoid any accidental contact and to prevent the patient f.rom rubbing the eye or eyes during sleep. In most cases patients are allowed to resume their normal activities in a couple of days after surgery.
The use of the cataract implants or lens implants becomes relevant in the context of Presbyopia or what is called "old eyes" in layman’s terms. As a natural outcome of aging, the crystalline lens inside the eyes hardens and becomes less flexible. This impacts the quality of a person’s vision as it reduces the sharpness of focus. Presbyopia can be managed by using the right kind of lens to improve focus. While in the past, patients had to use a monofocal lens implant which enabled good sight at a particular distance, today there is the option of multifocal lens also. Multifocal lens implants are a closer simulation of the eye’s natural ability to change focus according to distance or lighting and are a good aid to those who do not want to wear glasses. The cataract surgeon will make an appropriate recommendation for the patient depending on considerations such as lifestyle, age and cost. The patient should consider all the pros and cons and make a choice that best suits his or her daily life.
Cataract implants are one of the great steps in the development of medical technology and science which allows patients to deal with a fairly typical aging process without having to settle for reduced efficiency!