subject: About Cataract Surgery Lens Implants Eye Care Treatment Information [print this page] When the lens in the eye clouds over a period of time, it is necessary to remove the cataract to maintain or restore the vision. There is no known diet or medicines that slow down the cataract growth. If left untreated, lens clouding will worsen completely obliterating eye vision. To correct this, ophthalmologists perform cataract surgery, usually with a technique known as phacoemulsification.
Cataract eye surgery using the phacoemulsification technique is done as a day case under local anesthesia. Before the procedure, a consent form is required to be signed in order to confirm that you fully understand the risks involved. Other tests and checkups will follow. For example, your urine sample will be tested as well as your blood pressure and heart rate.
During the operation, patients are kept awake but may be given a sedative to help them relax during the operation. Anesthesia is either injected into the tissue around the eyes or given as drops, widening the pupils to make it easier for the surgeon to see the lens inside the eye.
Patients are asked to lie in a special chair while the surgeon works with fine instruments and using a microscope to look deep into the eyes. After the effect of anesthesia takes over, surgeons make a tiny cut on the eye surface and bread the cataract or cloudy lens with the help of ultrasound energy. A small tube is then used to remove the cataract and an artificial replacement lens is inserted through the cut after removing the cloudy tissue. This replacement is made of silicone or plastic and is permanent. The entire surgery lasts a maximum of 20 minutes.
After the surgery it is important to take good care of your eyes and follow the instructions of your surgeon. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory eye drops to help avoid any infection.
