WHAT IS CATARACT?
The cataract is nothing more than the cloudiness of the natural clear eye lens. The lens is an
important part of our optical system and helps us see far, intermediate, and near while we are
young, or far and intermediate in the older age.
It is considered that cataract is one of the most common eye diseases in people over 65 years of
age. However, lens clouding can occur at any age, and it can even be congenital.
A general ophthalmic examination, which includes dilation of the pupils and examination of the
front and back of the eye, can indicate the presence of cataracts in one or both eyes.
When the cataract is diagnosed, the best (and only) option is to perform the surgery as soon as
the patient feels that his/her everyday activities are not performed as they expect.
How is a cataract treated?
Despite previous difficult and dangerous procedures to solve this eye disease, technological
advancement now allows for a highly successful cataract surgery, with excellent postoperative
results and fast recovery.
Indeed, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed ophthalmology surgical procedure
worldwide.
The entire surgery is done under topical anesthesia (anesthesia with eye drops), where the
clouded eye lens is removed through a small opening in the cornea, and an artificial lens is
implanted. The cornea wound heals itself, so stitches are not necessary. Depending on the type of
intraocular lens that is used, the patient can expect great vision on one or more distances without
glasses.
How long is the postoperative recovery?
The patient can leave the hospital immediately after the surgery, and the postoperative and the
postoperative recovery in no longer than five days. Therapy in the form of
antibiotic/corticosteroid drops is used, and advice is given to avoid smoke, wind, dust, and lifting
heavy weights for the period of recovery.
Depending on the type of lens that will be implanted, the patient can expect to be able to see at a
distance without glasses, or both at a distance and up close.
Currently, there is no other cure for cataract other than the surgical procedure. The most
important thing is that cataracts cannot lead to permanent vision damage, i.e., visual acuity is
restored after the removal of the clouded eye lens (under the premise that there are no other eye
diseases).
