Cataract Clinic

What is Cataract?

Cataract is opacity in the lens of the eye. The normal lens is transparent and allows light to reach the retina. When it becomes opaque (Cataract) light does not reach the retina and the patient is unable to see clearly.

Why does Cataract form?

Cataract is the most common cause of blindness in our country. The causes o formation of cataract are not fully known.

  • It is an aging problem.
  • Ultraviolet light exposure.
  • Deficiency of protein and vitamins.

Apart from cataract in old age cataract can also occur in children or adolescents. Injuries can produce cataracts in all age groups. Patients with diabetes mellitus develop cataracts earlier than a normal person.

Symptoms

  • Blurring of image in bright light.
  • Double images.
  • Image distortion.
  • Unequal vision in eyes.

Treatment of Cataract

Till today there is no drug, which has been proved to cure cataract. The only treatment available is surgery i.e., removal of cataract.

When does cataract require removal?

Apart from the mature cataracts, even immature cataracts need to be removed if it hampers with the patients visual requirements. There is no necessity to wait for the cataract to ripen as in earlier times.

At Rajan Eye Care Hospital we are performing the latest techniques for cataract removal. We remove the cataract through a small incision by an ultrasonic aspiration technique called Phacoemulsification. Almost all the patients are implanted with intraocular lenses. The success rate after surgery is close to 99.5%.

Phacoemulsification

Small incision cataract surgery is increasingly gaining in popularity as compared to a large incision of 13mm used previously to remove cataract. Phacoemulsification is a method of removing cataract through small incision by means of ultrasonic energy, which emulsifies the cataract. It involves highly sophisticated technology, cost and lot of training on the part of the surgeon. The incision size is 2.5 mm. There is no suture required because of the tunnel incision, which is self-sealing. Over 90% of surgeons in the USA are currently using phacoemulsification as the procedure of choice in cataract surgery. Over 90% of surgeons in the USA are currently using phacoemulsification as the procedure of choice in cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification is used as the routine method of cataract removal. Dr. Mohan Rajan & Dr. Sujatha Mohan have extensive experience in phacoemulsification procedures. The IntraOcular Lenses implanted (IOL's) may be the Foldable or Non-foldable type. The Foldable lens is definitely a better option, because it retains the incision size to 2.5 mm. whereas a Non foldable lens requires extension of the incision to 5.5 mm and hence may require a suture. The advantage of small incision cataract surgery using phacoemulsification is that visual recovery and rehabilitation is fast which enables the patient to resume normal activities within a few days and even attend to routine office work.

Are they too expensive?

Just compare the disadvantages of traditional surgery anaethesia, inability to attend work/ business for some days. Poor vision etc. you will appreciate that the marginal increase in cost of surgery is more then compensated.

Will I need glasses after surgery?

Not very often. You may need to wear glasses only to fine tune your vision. These are normal glasses and not those "thick" spectacles as in the past. Phaco and small incision cataract surgery is probably a great leap forward in the field of ophthalmic surgery.

What is after cataract?

In about 25% of the patient who undergo cataract surgery thickening of the posterior capsule of the original lens occurs causing mild blurring of vision. This can occur anytime between 3 months to 5 years after surgery. The treatment for this is very simple. We do what is called laser treatment for these patients. The YAG Laser is used to make a small opening in the thickened capsule behind the IOL. It is a painless outpatient procedure. If you have any queries, you can meet your pothalmic surgeon at Rajan Eye Care. If you are interested in watching videotape on Cataract and Implant Surgery, please contact the Reception of Rajan eye care.