Key points:
- The cataract is made up of opaque fibers and proteins that make it difficult to see.
- A cataract can be removed by a cutting procedure or with an ultrasound.
- Once the cataract is removed, the patient will be fitted with a lens that will strengthen their vision.
“Blindness and visual impairment are preventable in about 80% of people. To reduce blindness and visual impairment, it is necessary to increase access to eye care services by strengthening public services in the poorest areas of each country.”1
A cataract is an opacity that is generated in the eye and is located in the crystalline lens, which progressively makes vision difficult. Since this opacity prevents a good quality of life by not being able to read, not being able to drive, or not feeling safe at night, it is recommended to consider surgery.
Dr. Lorena Ramírez Patiño, an ophthalmologist and retina specialist at ABC Medical Center, says there are two different surgical procedures for treating cataracts. The first, and rarely used anymore, is through an incision in the middle of the eye to remove the cataract.
In the second and most used, a two millimeters incision is made, allowing ultrasound waves to enter and destroy these opaque fibers and proteins that make up the cataract. Then, an intraocular lens will be placed in the posterior capsule of the crystalline lens that has been released.
Additionally, near vision can be corrected with this procedure if a multifocal lens is used.
Cataract surgery is a painless procedure where both sedation and local anesthesia are used to prevent any pain and help the patient feel good after the procedure, with little or no pain.
Subsequently, the patient may have a little redness in the eye and some dryness, which is completely normal, but you should talk to your doctor if this is excessive. If a stitch has been placed, it will be removed between five and eight days after surgery.
Once cataract surgery is performed, the patient will have a good vision from the first 24 hours, although everything will depend on the hardness of the cataract that was removed.
It will not be necessary to replace the lens if everything goes as planned in this surgery, if it begins to become opaque over the years, different treatments can be used, such as an outpatient and painless one where a laser will clean this opacity.
At ABC Medical Center’s Ophthalmology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuente:
Dr. Lorena Ramírez Patiñon – ophthalmologist and retina specialist at ABC Medical Center
YouTube Centro Médico ABC
PAHO.org
