The role of the lens is to bend (refract) light rays that enter the eye, allowing you to see. Your lens should be clear, but with a cataract, it becomes clouded. Having a cataract is similar to seeing through a cloudy or dirty automobile windshield. Things may appear foggy, hazy, or less vibrant. The only way to remove a cataract is through surgery. If a cataract prevents you from performing activities you want or need to accomplish, an ophthalmologist will recommend that you get it removed. Eye center in Modesto, CA says that during cataract surgery, the clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial one. That lens is known as an intraocular lens (IOL). In this article, we will discuss the types of cataracts, its diagnosis, and treatment
How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery
On the day of the operation, you will be given antibiotic-containing eye drops. A little plastic tube will be placed into one of your arm’s veins. You may be given an injection around the eye or eye drops to make it numb. The majority of patients have a local anesthetic and minimal sedation, however, some receive a general anesthetic.
Types of Cataract Surgery Include:
- Phacoemulsification: This is the most popular form of surgery. The doctor creates a tiny incision in your eye and uses an ultrasound probe to separate your clouded lens. The little fragments of the lens are removed and replaced with an artificial one.
- Extracapsular extraction: This method requires a bigger incision to remove the lens in one piece. It has been replaced by an artificial lens.
- FlACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery): This employs laser technology to replace the natural lens with an artificial one.
Diagnosing and Treating Cataracts
A routine eye exam will be the first step in diagnosing cataracts. Your ophthalmologist can assess whether you have cataracts during these tests, which may include:
- Visual acuity test (eye chart)
- Retinal exam: Involves dilating the eyes with special drops to determine the health of your retinas
- Slit-lamp exam: Magnifies the front of the eye to identify abnormalities.
If your doctor diagnoses cataracts, the severity of your visual issues will decide the best course of action for cataract surgery. For moderate cataracts, your doctor may take a cautious approach and suggest a reexamination at a later date to assess cataract development. Very light cataracts usually do not require surgery; surgery is only undertaken when the hazy lenses harm one’s quality of life.
