Cataracts surgery

Overview, purpose, steps, and risks.

Cataract surgery is one of most the commonly preformed surgeries, and arguably the safest compared to others across medicine. It is used to treat and eliminate cataract, which is a condition where the eyes lens (located behind the pupil) becomes foggy.

Cataracts is very common. In the U.S., majority of citizens have had cataracts and/or cataracts surgery by age 80. Although it is usually developed with age, it can be found in people of young age or even babies, sometimes present at birth, or developed due to other medical conditions.

The procedure is done while the patient is conscious. However, to ensure comfort, special eyedrops and numbing gel are put in the eye to avoid discomfort, while a calming medication is given in order to keep the patient mildly sedated.

The surgery itself takes about 10-20 minutes to complete, nevertheless, the patient must stay 30 minutes post-operation for nurses and doctors to ensure proper recovery from the effects of sedation.

There are 2 types of cataract surgery, phacoemulsification, and extra capsular cataract extraction.

Phacoemulsification is the most common type of cataract surgery. First, it is preformed by creating a small incision at the side of the outer cornea (the eyes clear outer coating). Then, a tiny probe is used to send off ultrasound waves to cause the core part of the cloudy lens to crumble. A separate probe is used to suck up the cataract.

On the other hand, in extra capsular cataract extraction, a larger and longer opening is made on the top part of the cornea along its length to take out the hard lens. Then, the cataracts is removed as a whole through suction by the large opening.

The lens inserted is an intraocular lens -IOL- through the openings in both surgeries prior to closing the flap of the cornea. An IOL is a clear lens that replaces the old infected eye's lens, it becomes part of the eye and does not require extra care. Individuals with an IOL have better sight due to light being able to pass through to the retina straight ahead. The patient is not able to see or feel the new lens post operation.

Some of the risks posed by cataract surgery:

• Eye infection

• Bleeding in the eye

• swelling in the front or inside of the eye

• Blurred vision

Steps for a phacoemulsification cataract surgery:

1. The patient is sedated with a sedative medication, an eye numbing gel and numbing eyedrops are given in order to avoid patient's discomfort throughout procedure.

2. An opening is made in the eyes cornea.

3. The front lens capsule is removed.

4. A vibrating probe that releases ultrasound waves to break the most harsh cloudy part of the cataract is used within the lens.

5. A different probe is inserted to vacuum the broken up cataract, which is then removed.

6. A flexible artificial lens is then injected into the eye through the small incision previously made. The lens unfolds within the lens capsule.

7. The eye naturally heals on its own, there are no need for stitches or for the incision to be closed.