WHAT IS CATARACT?
Some people know this disease as a cataract, others as a cloudiness, but what is certain is that it represents partial or complete clouding of the naturally transparent eye lens that allows us to create a clear image both at a distance and up close.
It is considered that cataract is one of the most common diseases in people over 70 years of age. However, lens clouding can occur at any age, and it can even be congenital.
A general ophthalmological examination, which includes dilation of the pupils and examination of the back of the eye, can indicate the presence of cataracts in one or both eyes.
And that diagnosis is not a reason for discouragement, because a solution exists.
How is a cataract treated?
Despite previous difficult and dangerous procedures to solve this eye problem, technological advancement now allows for successful cataract surgery, with excellent vision being restored to the patient just one day after surgery.
Indeed, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed eye operation worldwide.
The entire operation 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 which restores vision to the operated eye. The cornea wound heals itself, so stitches are not necessary.
How long is the recovery after surgery?
The patient leaves the clinic immediately after the surgery, and the postoperative course lasts 5 days. Therapy in the form of antibiotic drops is used, and patients are advised to avoid smoke, wind, dust, and lifting heavy loads.
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.
There is no other medicine or other form of treatment for cataracts except surgical procedures. 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 (provided there are no other eye diseases).
