HOME           HOSPITAL           SERVICES  &   FACILITIES           COMMUNITY  OUT-REACH           PATIENT GUIDE           PROCEDURES      

     PUBLIC  RELATIONS           EYE BANK           FEES & CHARGES           REPORTS           COURSES           LOCATION           CONTACT US      
PATIENT GUIDE                                                        Click here to go back.

Cataract :

Cataract is the leading cause of decreased vision and blindness not only in our country but also in the world. It is the single largest cause of blindness in the world, blinding an estimated around 17 million people all over the world.

How does normal eye function?
The eye is like a camera. The lens of the eye works like the lens of camera and focuses image of an object on the retina, which can be equated with photographic film of camera. The image is perceived and interpreted by brain as optic nerve carries impulses from the retina to the brain.

What is the cataract?
A cataract is opacification or clouding of eye lens, which is normally clear and transparent. Clouding of lens gradually increases which blocks the passage of light through the lens. This blurs vision gradually and blurring of vision progresses with opacification leading to total or almost total loss of sight.

What are different types of cataracts?
There are various types of cataracts, which are briefly discussed below: -
1) Hereditary or Birth Cataract or Congenital Cataract :
	As the name suggests, this form of cataract is present at birth, but cataracts developed within the first year
	are also included. They can be either associated with inborn errors of metabolism or caused by an infection
	of the mother during pregnancy.
2) Cataract associated with systemic diseases :
	This type of cataract develops in those patients who are suffering from some other diseases such as diabetes,
	certain skin diseases, liver diseases, high blood pressure etc.
3) Traumatic Cataract :
	Eye injuries can cause cataract in patients of any age. A hard blow or perforating injuries can damage the lens
	and lead to opacification.
4) Cataract due to radiant or other energy :
	Most type of radiant energy such as heat, X-rays, electric current can induce lens opacity or cloudiness.
5) Secondary cataract or cataract due to other eye diseases :
	Certain eye disease may induce opacification of the lens. Glaucoma, iritis, iridocyclitis, retinitis pigmentosa
	are examples of this category.
6) Drug induced cataract :
	Local or systemic treatment with steroids for long periods can sometimes lead to opacification of lens.
7) Senile cataract or age related cataract :
	This type of cataract is most common type of cataract. Statistics reveal that around or over 90% operated cases
	account for this type of cataract. Senile cataract occurs in persons usually around 50 years of age. Both men
	and women suffer equally. It is normally the result of ageing process, which causes transparent protein fibers of
	the lens to harden and become opaque or cloudy gradually. This progress is almost always slow to involve entire
	lens.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
    1. Blurring or dimness of vision.
    2. Sensitivity to light and glare from lamps or the sun.
    3. Feeling of a film over the eyes.
    4. Frequent changes in glass prescription or contact lens, which help for short periods only.
    5. Double or multiple vision initially.
    6. Change in colour of pupil.
    7. Difficulty in driving and reading.

How is cataract detected or diagnosed?
In early cases, a cataract is not readily visible because cataract is the clouding of lens inside the eye. Therefore, cataract is diagnosed during an eye examination by your ophthalmologist i.e. medical eye doctor. A variety of instruments such as ophthalmoscope and slit lamp are used to judge the type, size and location of the cataract. The above instruments illuminate and magnify the structures of the eye. Once a cataract is diagnosed, a series of tests are conducted to determine the degree of interference the cataract is causing with vision, the length of the eye, power of the lens implant. All these tests are conducted with an objective to determine as to how much vision can be improved with surgery.

Who all are at risk?
Everyone can suffer from cataract. But following factors increase the chances of cataract :
    1. Increasing age.
    2. Family history.
    3.Medical problems such as diabetes, liver diseases etc.
    4. Injury to the eye.
    5. Medication such as steroids.
    6. Prolonged unprotected regular exposure to sunlight.
    7. Previous eye surgery.

How is cataract treated?
The medicines to prevent or treat cataract are not available. Treatment of cataract is essentially surgical.
In other words, surgery is the only option to restore clear vision by removing cloudy cataractous lens surgically. An artificial lens must be used to see clearly after the removal of cataractous lens. This artificial lens may be cataract glasses, contact lenses or an intraocular lens implant. Intraocular lens (IOL) is the most effective replacement lens used these days because IOL is like permanent focusing device for the eye and does not require care once surgical healing is completed.

Certain Common Questions Asked :

When should cataract surgery be performed?
Initial development of the cataract itself is not an indication for surgery. Generally, cataract surgery is performed when loss of vision begins to interfere with daily activities.

What is done during surgery?
An operation of cataract is very small operation. This operation is performed under local or topical anaesthesia. The patient is awake during the process of surgery but does not feel any pain or discomfort. During the surgery, the cataractous lens is removed and replaced by cataract eye glass or contact lens or intraocular lens implant by Phaco-emulsification Procedure (Stitchless Surgery)

What is IOL?
IOL is a small plastic lens which has power very near to natural lens. This will avoid the need to wear very thick glasses after surgery. It is quite safe, stable and need not be cleaned or replaced. Glasses with small power are usually prescribed following surgery specially for reading because IOL does not change its focus for various distances like natural lens.

What is done after surgery?
The patient is allowed to go back home the same day. The bandage is put on an operated eye for one or two days. The routine activities can be resumed within a few days. Eye drops promoting healing are prescribed for about 45 days. There is little or no pain. There are no dietary restrictions. Your ophthalmologist or eye doctor will call you for follow up check-ups to judge your progress towards recovery.

Is there any possibility of cataract reoccurring after surgery?
There is nor possibility of cataract after the surgery. However, it has been observed that back part of the lens capsule on which IOL is placed becomes thick in some patients, which can obstruct vision. This is easily corrected by a very minor laser treatment called capsulotomy.

It is possible to prevent the development of cataract?
There is no effective way to prevent the development of cataract. But loss of sight from the disease is generally preventable.

Conclusion
Cataract is common cause of decreased vision progressively leading towards blindness particularly for elderly persons. But the disease is very much treatable and near normal vision can be achieved following surgery. Your ophthalmologist is the right persond to tell you whether cataract or some other problem is the cause of poor vision, loss of vision or discomfort and help you to decide if cataract surgery is appropriate for you and also the time of surgery.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1