Cataract is a visual impairment caused by clouding of the lens in the eye. The lens provides clear vision by collecting the light inside the eye, but with aging and other factors, the lens can become cloudy over time and this blurring is called cataract.
What is Cataract? What are the symptoms?
Cataracts usually come with aging and occur as a result of the lens in the eye becoming cloudy over time. However, other factors can also cause cataracts to form. For example: smoking, exposure to excessive amounts of harmful rays, use of certain drugs, eye diseases and injuries.
Symptoms of cataracts include impaired vision, blurred vision, discoloration, difficulty seeing when driving at night, and distorted images on television or computer screens. Cataract symptoms may be mild at first and may get worse over time. Cataract treatment is possible by replacing the cloudy lens in the eye with a clear lens. This surgery can be done with laser or conventional methods and usually has a high success rate.
In cataract treatment, your doctor will provide you with the most appropriate treatment method and all necessary information before surgery. Cataract treatment can help improve the quality of vision and make your daily life easier. To prevent the formation of cataracts, measures such as quitting smoking, using sunglasses, having a healthy diet and exercise, and having an eye examination can be taken. These measures can help maintain the quality of vision and prevent cataracts from forming.
What is Cataract Surgery? How come?
Cataract surgery is a surgical procedure performed by replacing the lens with a clear lens. Cataract surgery is usually performed on a day-to-day basis, the patient does not need to be hospitalized and does not require anesthesia. The doctor makes a small incision in the front of the eye and removes the defective lens. A clear lens implant is then attached. This lens implant replaces the cataract lens and improves the quality of vision. During the surgery, the doctor may use different techniques according to the level of clouding of the lens of the eye.
Cataract surgery is generally very pleasing and can improve the visual quality of patients, but like any surgical procedure, this surgery has some risks. Doctors can advise patients in the pre- and post-operative period and provide information about treatment options when necessary. Patients can receive advice on using glasses suitable for your eyes after surgery. Doctors also recommend that patients have eye check-ups in the postoperative period to monitor their eye health.
How Does the Cataract Treatment Process Work?
Cataract treatment is cataract surgery, which is a surgical procedure performed by replacing the lens with a clear lens. The cataract treatment process includes the following steps:
- Eye exam: The doctor performs an eye exam to evaluate the quality of vision and eye health. The doctor determines whether cataracts are present and whether treatment is necessary.
- Lens selection: The doctor makes the most appropriate lens selection according to the patient’s vision needs and eye health condition. There are different options such as far-near, single-focus, anti-astigmatism lenses.
- Preoperative preparation: The patient may be subjected to tests such as eye examination, eye closure test and tear film test before the operation, and the doctor may inform the patient about any necessary medications.
- Surgery: Cataract surgery usually does not require anesthesia, the eye is anesthetized with anesthetic drops. The doctor makes a small incision in the front of the eye and removes the defective lens. A clear lens implant is then attached.
- Post-operative treatment: The patient can use an eye bandage after surgery and follow eye closure recommendations. The doctor may advise the patient to do eye checks after surgery.
Cataract treatment is usually successful and improves the patients’ visual quality. Of course, like any surgical procedure, this treatment has some risks. It is important to get information about the treatment process from specialist doctors after the examination.
References:
Allen, D., & Vasavada, A. (2006). Cataract and surgery for cataract. Bmj, 333(7559), 128-132.
Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün is a professor of ophthalmology with nearly 30 years of experience in retinal diseases and vitreoretinal surgery. At the Private Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital in Izmir, he provides advanced treatments such as retinal detachment surgery, diabetic retinopathy management, macular disease treatments, and cataract surgery.
A graduate of Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Erakgün completed his ophthalmology specialization at the same institution. He advanced rapidly in his academic career, becoming an associate professor in 2004 and a full professor in 2010. He has also gained international expertise through advanced retina surgery training in Antwerp, Frankfurt, and Duisburg.
Prof. Dr. Erakgün is the designer of two surgical instruments that have entered the global medical literature: the “Erakgun Spatula Knife” and the “Erakgun Snare.” These innovative devices have been significant milestones in the global development of vitreoretinal surgery. Having performed more than 15,000 surgical procedures to date, he is recognized as a respected authority in ophthalmology both in Turkey and worldwide, thanks to his scientific contributions and clinical achievements.
He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Turkish Ophthalmological Association, the European Vitreoretinal Society (EVRS), and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).