What is cataract & how to prevent

What is a cataract?

A cataract is clouding of the natural lens inside the eye which causes the vision to be blurred or diminished.

Can you prevent cataracts?

Cataracts are very common in older people, and cannot be avoided. It is helpful to keep your eyes healthy by protecting them from bright sunlight and ultraviolet light. Most importantly, if you are at a higher risk for cataracts because of diabetes or other medical problems, you should follow your doctors instructions and get regular checkups.

How do I know if I need cataract surgery?

Only your doctor can recommend the correct treatment for cataracts. If your cataracts imped your vision such that glasses also do not help and is your daily activities are getting affected, you may be a candidate for cataract surgery.

Can cataract surgery restore vision loss?

Often cataract surgery can improve vision with great results and little complications. However, your doctor can predict the outcome based on your individual case.

Will the lens implant ever have to be removed, replaced, or cleaned?

The lens implant is designed to last for the rest of your life. It does not need to be removed or cleaned. The lens will only be removed if in the rare instance it needs to be replaced or adjusted in position if it causes any injury or severe inflammation in the eye or if it becomes dislocated.

Latest technology in cataract surgery?

Femtosecond Laser technology is the latest and best technology for cataract surgery available throughout the world. It has significantly automated the complicated steps of cataract surgery.

Facts About Femto Laser Cataract Surgery

·         Blade Less Laser cataract surgery

·         The actual working of the laser takes less than 1 minute

·         Greater safety, precision & accuracy

·         Capsular opening, fragmentation of cataract with  laser & corneal incisions are fully  automated

·         Reduces phaco energy by more than 50%

·         Better visual outcome# with quicker recovery

What is Advantages of Femtosecond Laser?

• 100 percent blade free laser created incisions: deliver precise cuts and is more accurate than manual blade incision.

• The wound architecture in traditional surgery is limited by hand held instruments and manual incisions. In contrast, the femtosecond laser allows for computerized programming of corneal incisions.

• The precisely structured self-sealing incisions heal faster and minimize the risk of post-operative infections.

• Consistent circular laser created capsulorrhexis enhances final visual outcome.

• The first step in Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery is the creation of the capsular opening (capsulorrhexis) around the cataract with the help of laser. The opening in the capsule through the use of this technology is twice as strong and 5 times more accurate in size and shape as compared to the manual opening. The laser then breaks down the cataract into smaller fragments.

• Enables Astigmatism correction at the time of cataract surgery

• In people suffering from astigmatism, the front surface of the eye (cornea) is not curved evenly. The curve is irregular resulting in blurred vision. Laser assisted cataract surgery allows for correction of astigmatism to a certain degree at the time of surgery.

• Improved safety for the patient

• Femtosecond laser aims to convert the manual, multi-step, multi- tool phaco procedure to one with laser created, and computer controlled precision. The critical high resolution eye image mapping and measurements that are used to plan & perform the surgery to exact specifications are not attainable with traditional surgery.

Does cataract surgery hurt? How long will the surgery take?

Most people feel that cataract surgery is not painful, although there might be some discomfort or pressure. However, everyone has a different threshold for discomfort so your experience may be different.   The procedure is performed  on one eye at a time. Anesthetic eye drops will be administered to numb your eye and you’ll be offered medication to help you relax. The actual surgery usually takes less than 10-20 minutes.

Can a cataract return?

No. A cataract cannot return because all or part of the lens has been removed. However, in some instances the capsule holding the lens may eventually become cloudy a year or more after surgery, causing the same vision problems as a cataract. There is a simple, quick and painless treatment called YAG Capsulotomy if this occurs which normally results in a return of good vision.

#This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Clinical outcomes may vary in individuals. 

Our Specialist:

Dr. Ritika Sachdev

Qualification - MS

Location - Delhi

Dr. Ritika Sachdev completed her basic medical education from Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi. Following her Masters in Ophthalmology from Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi she pursued specialization in Cornea, cataract and refractive surgery from the prestigious R P Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi.

Dr. Sachdev is presently working as Additional Director Medical Services at Centre for Sight. Her specialization areas include Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgery. Her surgical experience encompasses surgeries like Femtosecond cataract procedures, Microincision cataract surgery, LASIK & Relex Smile for laser vision correction, penetrating & lamellar keratoplasty (corneal transplantation) etc.

Dr. Sachdev’s academic journey has been adorned with awards such as Dr. Krishna Sohan Trophy 2013 by Delhi Ophthalmological Society, Dr. Dheeraj Jain Gold Medal, Lala Jeewan Mal Memorial Prize for being the best candidate in Ophthalmology (Delhi University). She is the youngest national recipient of the Intra Ocular and Refractive Society India (IIRSI) Gold Medal.

Dr. Sachdev has also been an active speaker at many National & International conferences including American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS), All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and Delhi Ophthalmological Society (DOS). She is a member of Executive committee – IIRSI and Editorial board of DOS times and is recognized as faculty training resource for PG teaching programme across the country for AIOS. She has various national and international publications in peer-reviewed journals of ophthalmology besides having contributed numerous chapters for textbooks in ophthalmology.