Cataract is easily curable by surgery
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. According to the World Health Organization, it is responsible for 51% of blindness worldwide. Though most cases are associated with aging, infants can be born with the condition. Many factors can contribute to cataract development besides aging - UV wavelength exposure, blue light wavelength exposure, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and long-term usage of corticosteroid medications.
Cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens, the natural lens inside the eye. With some 16 diopters of power, it’s the second most powerful structure of the eye, surpassed only by the cornea, which has about 45 diopters of power.
The primary function of the crystalline lens is to focus light onto the retina. It achieves this by changing shape so that objects at various distances come to a focus on the macula, the central region of the retina that contains photoreceptive cells.
Accommodation is the automatic adjustment of the crystalline lens to provide vision at different distances. When viewing objects up close, the crystalline lens becomes more convex. This change results in a more plus-powered lens that enables us to see objects clearly at near.
The eye lens is primarily made of water and protein. In a normal lens the proteins are dissolved in the lens cells and are arranged to let light through to the retina. Cataracts form when the protein inside the lens crystallizes and clumps together. This causes light to scatter in the eye rather than coming to a sharp focus on the retina.
In the early stages of a cataract, patients may complain that their vision isn’t as clear as it used to be, that colors aren’t as saturated as they normally are, and that night driving is problematic. Streetlights or car lights may appear to be too bright or even seem to have halos around them.
When vision deteriorates to a point that it interferes with daily activities, cataract surgery may be advised. Performed on an outpatient basis, it is the most common surgery now a days. It involves surgical removal of the crystalline lens and insertion of an intraocular (IOL) plastic lens. The IOL replaces the crystalline lens and the power of the IOL may be ordered to correct refractive errors, most often for distance correction. Even presbyopia-correcting IOLs are available so patients can see well up close as well as at a distance. The ultimate decision regarding the power and type of IOL to be inserted is made by the ophthalmologist.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. Before surgery begins, patients are given medication to help them relax. Modern cataract surgery employs phacoemulsification, an ultrasonic tool that liquefies the cataract, and then uses suction to remove the debris. Then, a small incision is made to insert the intraocular lens (IOL), which looks like a soft contact lens with two nylon cords attached. IOLs are custom-ordered to a patient’s prescription. They are pliable and fold for insertion through the incision. Once the IOL is inserted into the anterior chamber, it unfolds immediately and snaps into place. The two nylon cords attached to the IOL keep it in position, says Dr Maneesh Kumar. more
Cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens, the natural lens inside the eye. With some 16 diopters of power, it’s the second most powerful structure of the eye, surpassed only by the cornea, which has about 45 diopters of power.
The primary function of the crystalline lens is to focus light onto the retina. It achieves this by changing shape so that objects at various distances come to a focus on the macula, the central region of the retina that contains photoreceptive cells.
Accommodation is the automatic adjustment of the crystalline lens to provide vision at different distances. When viewing objects up close, the crystalline lens becomes more convex. This change results in a more plus-powered lens that enables us to see objects clearly at near.
The eye lens is primarily made of water and protein. In a normal lens the proteins are dissolved in the lens cells and are arranged to let light through to the retina. Cataracts form when the protein inside the lens crystallizes and clumps together. This causes light to scatter in the eye rather than coming to a sharp focus on the retina.
In the early stages of a cataract, patients may complain that their vision isn’t as clear as it used to be, that colors aren’t as saturated as they normally are, and that night driving is problematic. Streetlights or car lights may appear to be too bright or even seem to have halos around them.
When vision deteriorates to a point that it interferes with daily activities, cataract surgery may be advised. Performed on an outpatient basis, it is the most common surgery now a days. It involves surgical removal of the crystalline lens and insertion of an intraocular (IOL) plastic lens. The IOL replaces the crystalline lens and the power of the IOL may be ordered to correct refractive errors, most often for distance correction. Even presbyopia-correcting IOLs are available so patients can see well up close as well as at a distance. The ultimate decision regarding the power and type of IOL to be inserted is made by the ophthalmologist.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. Before surgery begins, patients are given medication to help them relax. Modern cataract surgery employs phacoemulsification, an ultrasonic tool that liquefies the cataract, and then uses suction to remove the debris. Then, a small incision is made to insert the intraocular lens (IOL), which looks like a soft contact lens with two nylon cords attached. IOLs are custom-ordered to a patient’s prescription. They are pliable and fold for insertion through the incision. Once the IOL is inserted into the anterior chamber, it unfolds immediately and snaps into place. The two nylon cords attached to the IOL keep it in position, says Dr Maneesh Kumar. more
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Technically an IOL can be taken out and a new one can be implanted, but this is not generally required except, say, in cases of its displacement, may be, due to an injury. There may be other issues like the health of optic nerve, retina, and cornea etc. on which the question of taking out of an IOL depends...and most important, each case has to be dealt with on its individual condition, and the person in question may seek another opinion - Dr Narendra Kumar more
Mar 19
I know of cases where the artificial lens has deteriorated and sight further deteriorated and doctor says it cannot be changed again my relative in jaipur more
Mar 18
Cataract is the condition when the natural lens inside the eye becomes less transparent, Chakresh ji; at the time of surgery the diseased lens is removed and an artificial lens (IOL) is implanted in its place...and the IOL doesn't become cataractous. My thanks to Upadhyay ji for his comment, and to all those who viewed this post. more
Mar 18
once this operation is done and after few years sight deteriorates further can this lens be changed again more
Mar 17
