What Is Cataract & How To Treat It ?
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December 10, 2016What Is Cataract & How To Treat It ?
Cataract Surgery In Pune
What is a cataract ?
A cataract is clouding of the lens in the eye resulting into blurred vision. It severely affects the eyesight of elderly persons & can affect one or both eyes. It’s non-infectious & does not get transmitted from one person to another. But there is a catch - If left unattended, a cataract can cause loss of vision in people, warns our cataract surgeon in Pune. A recent survey has brought out the fact that untreated cataract is the prime responsible factor behind a loss of eyesight in people over age 40. It’s a misconception that cataract affects people over 60 years of age. During middle age, cataract is small without affecting vision in a significant manner & hence goes unnoticed. At a ripe age, when it starts interfering with clarity of eyesight, we sit back & take cognizance.
Normal human eyes contain light-sensitive tissues called retina situated right at the back of the eye. When light falls on an object, the transparent lens present in the eyes allows the light pass through it to the retina. The retina converts the light into signals & sends them across to brain using optic nerves & we are able to identify & distinguish objects, colors, etc. If the lens on which light falls, is clouded & opaque, an image of the object will lose its sharpness & we will have a blurred vision unable to distinguish between them. A person suffering from cataract of eyes loses the sense of judgment in terms of height, distance & is prone to accidents.
Cataract can be removed through eye surgery & we will discuss at length the various causes, symptoms & procedure available to get our vision clarity back. At our Best eye hospital in Pune, we have a world-class facility with state of the art equipment to deal with eyesight related problems.
Signs & symptoms of cataract
If you experience any of these signs & symptoms it’s high time to visit our eye specialist in Pune.
- Clouded or blurred vision
- Worn out, faded colors that seems to have lost its sheen
- Glaring headlights ; sunlight, light emanated from lamp will appear brighter than usual, you might see a halo surrounding the lights
- Poor night vision
- Double vision or multiple vision in the affected eye
- Frequent changes in prescription glasses or contact glasses
Symptoms as severe as these require an in depth analysis of the various causes that eventually lead to development of cataract.
Causes of cataract
Aging accelerates protein deposits around the otherwise transparent lens that acts as a camera adjusting the focus of eyes letting us see object in all directions. Water & protein build up the lens & are arranged in a precise way to let the passage of light without any hindrance. As we age, the lenses become less flexible & thicker; some of the protein may form a clump like structure & get deposited on the lens clouding our vision. This is known as cataract which grows over time & covers the entire lens. Pre existing medical condition like diabetes mellitus & hypertension may aggravate the development of cataract, says a reputed cataract specialist in Pune.
Injuries & trauma causes swelling, thickening, and whitening of lens fibers. Damaged capsules allows fluid pass from other parts of the eye to enter lens causing hindrance to light from reaching retina & back. Immediate attention needs to be provided to patient in case of trauma related impairment of vision. Mahaveer eye hospital not only provides affordable Motibindu surgery in Pune but also provides one of the best in class trauma surgery.
Ultra violet radiation leads to formation of cataract. Microwave radiation, X-ray radiation is associated with the development of cataract.
Genetic make over can impact & influence the progression of cataract.
Long term usage of steroids & medications like triparanol can lead to protein deposits on eyes impairing vision & eventually leading to cataract.
Smoking & alcohol intake harms vision, doubles up the rate of nuclear sclerotic cataract & triples the rate of posterior sub capsular cataracts. Though no direct link about alcohol consumption is evident in progression of protein deposits on eyes.
Deficiency of vitamin C progresses the ailment & intake of supplement has not resulted in any benefits so far.
Cataract is heterogeneous in nature & not limited to one form of shape & size. Its heterogeneity is attributed to its various causes & not only to aging & yields diversified results.
Types of cataract
They include:
- Nuclear cataracts that affect the center of the lens, initially starts with improvement of reading vision however the protein deposit becomes dense over time clouding the entire vision. If left untreated the cataract changes its color to brown leading difficulty in distinguishing colors, explains our best cataract surgeon in Pune.
- Cortical cataracts affect the edge of the lens. It’s characterized by a white wedge shaped opacities developing in the periphery of the lens & work their way to the centre like a poke slowly engulfing the entire nucleoli.
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts are the ones formed at the back of the lens. People with diabetic complications or those who take high dosage of steroid for long are more prone to this type of cataract. It blocks the passage of light interfering with reading vision, causes reduction of/p
- vision in bright light & leads to see a halo around bright light at night. Progression of subcapsular cataract is faster than any other cataract.
How a cataract is diagnosed ?
Diagnosis of cataract does not take long & few eyesight examinations mentioned below is carried out by our retina specialist in Pune to arrive at the correct prognosis & further treatment is initiated.
- Visual acuity test is an eye chart test to measure the degree of impairment of vision. An eyesight test chart showing larger to smaller letters are read by the patient enabling the doctor check on the level of impairment
- Dilated eye exam where eye drops are placed in eyes to dilate the pupils. The doctor examines the widened eyes, retina & optic nerve to detect & identify signs of damage. Eye drops enable the doctor examine even the back of the retina using a medical device called ophthalmoscope.
- Tonometry is a medical device that measures the pressure inside of an eye. Eye drops are given to numb the eyes & its surrounding area to help the doctor carry out a series of test for correct diagnosis.
How to treat cataract ?
At an initial stage cataract can be treated by non-surgical procedure using new prescribed eye glasses, strong bi-focal, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying glasses however an advanced stage cataract has to be removed only through surgery. Motibindu surgery in Pune at our hospital is an outpatient procedure which removes the dense deposit from the eyes & replaces them with an artificial lens. 90% of patients without any pre existing medical condition get back vision clarity & get relief from cataract through surgery that is performed under local anesthesia.
Experienced doctors, similar to our best cataract surgeon in Pune, advise surgical procedure for cataract removal only when latter interferes with daily activities like reading, driving & watching TV. Rushing into surgery with unripe cataract may do more harm than good; always take an informed decision along with your doctor about going ahead with cataract surgery. There exist various methods of cataract removal surgical procedure.
Phacoemulsification happens to be most widely used safest & effective method across the world. So, while performing Motibindu operation in Pune at our clinic, we use ultrasonic energy to emulsify the cataract lens. A local anesthesia is applied to numb the area surrounding the eyes. The corneal incision is done via two slits made at the periphery of the clear cornea. Using a thin sharp needle or a pair of forceps a circular hole is created in the capsule containing the lens.
The process is called capsulorhexis in medical terminology. A handheld ultrasonic probe breaks up & emulsifies the lens into liquid applying ultrasound waves. Medical term for this procedure is known as phacoemulsification. It sucks away the soft outer layer of cataract. Removal of fluid is substituted by saline water solution to prevent collapsing of the frontal eye chamber. A plastic foldable lens is then inserted in the capsular chamber containing the lens. Antibiotic is injected to reduce risk of infection along with saline water into the corneal wounds to facilitate swelling & seal incision.
A successful cataract treatment in Pune at our hospital through surgical procedure takes almost about 45-60 minutes to get completed. Followed by a 7-10 days of restricted activity, the patient recovers from cataract surgery & is able to resume normal daily routine without any further complication. If both eyes have mature progressive cataract, surgical procedure is performed in a gap of 4 weeks. There might be initial blurry vision which is an adjusting process with the other cataract affected eye. On receipt of permanent intraocular lenses, color vision will improve & you will need new prescribed glasses. Here are a few tips one should follow after a cataract surgery to ensure they recover quickly from the same.
- Avoid driving – designate someone Post the surgery, your eye will be bandaged limiting your vision. Although you won't experience any pain, you should avoid driving and designate the task to a member of your family for a few days.
- Do not lift heavy objects After the surgery, your eye specialist will suggest avoiding lifting heavy objects, bending, and carrying out physically intensive tasks. It is essential you avoid lifting heavy objects for a few days after the procedure.
- Medication Ensure you take your medication on time and follow the instructions given to you by your eye specialist. Apply the anti-inflammatory drops on time to ensure your eyes recover in the most ideal manner.
- Avoid swimming After the surgery, it is essential you avoid activities that may cause irritation to your eyes such as swimming.
- Avoid exposing your eyes to foreign objects It is crucial you do not expose your eyes to dust, dirt, and other foreign objects to avoid further complications in your eye.
Risk factors involved with cataract
Certain risk factors associated with cataract surgery is that of swelling & bleeding which is however very rare to find unless of course the patient has some pre existing medical condition like diabetes & ongoing treatments for cancer. Old age, heavy usage of alcohol & smoking, obesity, hypertension, previous injuries, too much sun exposure has a serious negative impact on cataract eye surgery however with the help from Mahaveer eye hospital’s cataract surgeon in Pune, the risk is minimized to a great extent.
Advises to patient undergoing cataract surgery lists keeping the eyes clean, using prescribes medicines, and washing hands before touching the eyes.
- eyes from direct ultra violet rays of the sun by using sun glasses with UVA/UVB protection & hats
- Beware of smoking & excess alcohol consumption which brings about grave health disorders.
- Visit eye doctors for regular check up after age 60 even if you are blessed with clear vision.
Cataract surgery increases risk of retinal detachment. Previous disorder like myopia increases the risk & emergency medical attention is to be sought though the condition is simply too rare. If you detect painless floating of cobweb in front of eyes, seek medical attention immediately to prevent eventual loss of vision.
What is prognosis of cataract ?
Post operative recovery from cataract removal surgery is rather quick & faster than other surgical procedures, confirms our eye doctor in Pune. The eye examination is usually done 1-2 weeks before cataract surgery & they include measuring curve of cornea, size & shape of one’s’ eyes to enable the doctor select the right type of intraocular lens (IOL). Consumption of food is restricted 12 hours before surgery.
On completion of Motibindu operation in Pune at our hospital, the patient is discharged from facility with a word of advice not to put too much strain on oneself. Post operative care includes not lifting heavy burden, putting water on eyes which is strictly prohibited for a month & 7 days respectively. Dark glasses protect the eyes from external foreign particles & bright light for 7 days. Intraocular lenses are permanent lens fitted into the eyes.
Certain complications like retinal detachment & endophthalmitis might develop in rarest of rare cases which leads to sudden decrease in vision associated with a sensation of pain. Risk of retinal detachment is about 0.4% within first 5.5 years of surgery & that of endophthalmitis occurrence is 1 out of 1000.
How to prevent cataract & protect your precious vision ?
Vision is precious & in no circumstances we can afford to lose it, advises our hospital’s eye specialist in Pune. Better be safe than sorry. Follow the below methods to protect precious gift of vision.
Eating right foods goes a long way in restoring good health. These include green leafy vegetable, fruits & vegetable containing anti oxidants like beta carotene, selenium, vitamin C&E.
Protect your vision
Now that we have in depth knowledge about cause of occurrence of cataract, its prevention & all plausible treatment options, let us enlighten ourselves about the intraocular lenses that are implanted permanently in our eyes as a replacement to natural lenses. Remember, the total cataract surgery cost in Pune or other cities of India is largely based on the type of lens you choose for the procedure.
Intraocular lenses
A cataract removal surgery is associated with removal of cataract affected natural lenses of eyes replacing them with artificial intraocular lenses implanted permanently in our eyes. Before 1980s, people would use thick eyeglasses for vision clarity post cataract removal surgery. Intraocular lenses came into being in 1980 with a variety of options which gets implanted in the eyes permanently & helps the patient regain vision clarity.
The doctors choose the best intraocular lens for the patient depending on his/her lifestyle & visual needs.
Monofocal intraocular lenses: This is the most commonly used intraocular lens with one focusing distance as the name suggests. It’s set to focus for up, close & medium distance vision. People wear eyeglasses for reading or close work.
Multifocal intraocular lenses: These lenses provide both near & far off distance focus simultaneously. It has different zones set at different powers. It’s designed in a precise way to enable the human brain automatically select the right focus.
Accommodative intraocular lenses: These lens move & change shape inside the eye acting like an absolute natural lens allowing focusing at all directions.
Toric intraocular lenses Astigmatism is imperfection of the curvature of cornea which is otherwise smooth & equally curved in all directions. Irregular shape of cornea leads to refractive error & distortion of object shapes. The condition is called astigmatism & they use toric intraocular lenses post removal of natural lenses. These lenses are designed to address & rectify refractive error arising out of astigmatism.
Medical experts make the patient undergo eye examination before the surgery to check the size & shape of the cornea & other relevant factor to select the best suited intraocular lens for the patient depending on his lifestyle & daily activity parameter.
Cost of cataract surgery
Cataract removal surgery is one of the most common types of surgery performed across the world. A cataract is not advised to be operated upon until it matures, gets into an advanced stage wherein it interferes with vision & clarity of eyesight. One need not rush into a surgery; however, delaying the process unnecessarily might lead to permanent loss of vision. Hence it’s always advisable to reach out to expert medical professional & seek their consultation on when & how to proceed with any medical procedure.
Cataract surgery cost in Pune varies from 20k-35k depending on type of lens & facilities availed. It’s an outpatient procedure & performed at Govt. hospitals as well.
In Pune, Mahaveer super specialty eye hospital & laser centre offers best in class LASIK eye surgery and other ophthalmology services by expert medical professionals under the distinguished guidance of Dr. Vimal Parmar. A dedicated team of well trained healthcare staff smilingly offers help round the clock to patient & his/her associates. Their credibility, state of the art equipment & facilities & testimonials provided by previous patients have made them a brand in itself in terms of eye care in India. Take a virtual tour of the website to book appointment, have consultation with our expert team of professionals. You can always contact our cataract specialist in Pune through scheduled appointments and get all your doubts clarified.
6 Essential Factors While Preparing For A Cataract Surgery
Planning to have cataract surgery? Well, the first thing you need to know is that this is nothing to panic about. Caratact surgeries today are one of the safest procedures which involve minimal invasion and heal quickly. However, like any other surgery, you are thoroughly evaluated to check your complete fitness for the surgery. Also, your doctor will guide you with some essential precautions and lifestyle changes. Here are six of these factors that everyone must follow that you’ll have to conform to prepare yourself for your cataract surgery:
Pre-surgery Evaluation:The first step of evaluation will be a brief analysis of your health history. This evaluation will also include general tests, your previous surgical results and current medications.
Then, your ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine your eye and its internal parts. If your eye diagnosis appears positive for cataract, then you’ll be given some guidelines and suggestions for surgical treating it.
The next step is to choose the right type of Intraocular lens (IOL), which will be used to replace your cataracted lens. IOLs that are available today are technologically advanced and provide a clear and sharp vision at all distances, just like a natural healthy eye lens.
You may have to undergo a few more evaluations to check your candidacy for a lens implant. If you are tested as a right candidate for implantation, then rest assured that you’ll be able to read and drive without ever needing corrective glasses.
Most of the insurance companies in India will cover your cataract lens replacement surgery with a primary monofocal lens. You’ll have to discuss with your insurance company for the types of lenses that can be covered under your plan. Also, if you used corrective glasses before the surgery, you may need to revisit your optometrist after the surgery to get new ones.
Typically, the cost of the surgery and the surgeon’s fee are cover under a medical health plan. However, if any other advanced treatment becomes necessary during the surgery, these treatments may not be covered..
Hence, it is suggested that you have a thorough discussion about all these points with your ophthalmologist and get a brief idea of how much of your treatment will be covered by your insurance plan.
You’ll be asked to make an appointment with your ophthalmologist to undergo some preliminary tests to decide which IOL to use for your eye.
As you won’t be able to drive back home after the surgery, it is wise to ask a friend and family member to arrange for your ride to and fro the hospital.
Same applies to help you out with daily chores if you have kids or other dependent family members in the house.
If your ophthalmologist has prescribed any eyedrops of medications to be taken the night before the surgery, take them without fail.
You must not drink alcohol or consume tobacco products for 24 hours before the surgery.
Unless allowed by the surgeon, do not eat anything at night and get a good night’s rest.
Do not eat your breakfast on the day of your surgery. Also, avoid using any cosmetic products around your eyes and face.
Since it is a daycare surgery, ask your ride to wait for a few hours or come back in a few hours.
The procedure will be quick, and you’ll be out of the operation theatre in about two hours.
Depending on the state of your cataract growth and health conditions, there are several other guidelines that you’ll need to ensure your fitness before your surgery. If you’re looking for a good cataract specialist or hospital in Pune to have your eyes treated, then Mahaveer Eye Hospital should be your first choice. Employing highly experienced retina specialist in Pune, you can have the most effective cataract treatment in this hospital. Visit Mahaveer Eye hospital website to find your best options for having cataract surgery in Pune.
Due to age or various other reasons, the clear lens inside the eye that helps focus the external light on the retina gradually starts to grow cloudy and turns yellow. This clouded formation in the eye lens is a cataract.
The goal of cataract surgery is to replace the clouded lens entirely with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) which are made from silicone or acrylic compounds. Here, the cataract surgeon makes a circular incision around the membrane that encloses the eye’s natural lens. Once the underlying lens is exposed, it is broken into smaller pieces with a laser or an ultrasonic device and sucked out of its place.
As cataracts are an aggravating condition which worsens with time, the lenses become increasingly opaque. Even though the growth rate of cataracts varies from person to person, it ultimately leads to blindness. Advanced development of cataracts makes them more difficult to remove with increased risks and complications.
The total expense on a typical cataract treatment collectively depends on various factors such as:
- your doctor’s fee
- type of IOLs used for replacement
- the miscellaneous charges of the hospital
- the severity of your eye’s condition
- the type of cataract procedure opted by the surgeon
- pre-operative and post-operative lab tests
Taking all these factors into account, the minimum cost of having cataract surgery in Pune is around Rs.16,000 to 26,000. With an expensive IOL, this cost can go up from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 85,000.
The goal of every cataract surgery is to remove the cataracted lens and replace it with an IOL. the process of removing the damaged lens is performed in three different ways:
- Extracapsular surgery
- Phacoemulsification
- Intracapsular Cataract surgery
Unfortunately, there are no specific guidelines that can prevent cataracts from forming. Still, the chances of having them can be reduced by limiting your exposure to sunlight, decreasing or discontinuing smoking and eating a balanced diet.
Even though the patient may experience enhanced vision in the next two to four days, overall recovery may take up to a month depending on your healing capabilities. Your cataract surgeon can better guide you in understanding your distinct recovery process and how soon will you be able to restart your routine life.
