How do you treat cataracts?
How do you treat cataracts?
Once a cataract has advanced, there is no other treatment than surgery. Some eyedrops are being sold in the market but this may only delay the progression of the catarct. Eventually, when the patient wants to see clearly, an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon), can do a surgical procedure called phacoemulsification.
Phacoemulsification
“Phaco” is the latin word for the lens and “emulsification” is the process of cracking and breaking into small pieces. Therefore, phacoemulsification is a surgical process wherein the lens is emulsified and then removed from the eye. It involves a small incision (2.2mm-2.75mm) and then the surgeon places viscoelastic get before removing the anterior capsule of the lens. This capsule surrounds the whole lens and is not removed during cataract surgery. The space inside the capsule is where the intraocular lens (IOL) will be placed, thereby replacing the old lens that was just emulsified. Most of the time, the surgeon uses a foldable IOL to maintain the small incision. If a non-foldable lens is used, then the incision can be enlarged up to 5.0 mm. However, the surgeon might place a suture once the incision is enlarged to prevent the wound from leaking after the surgery. Most foldable lenses don’t need suturing because wounds up to 3.0mm are self-sealing. The IOL will be left permanently.
Learn more by clicking on the links below.
