Cataract is clouding of the natural lens of the eye. It often causes decreased vision. If generalization is made, approximately half of the age group over 65 years old have cataracts at varying rates.
Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün
Retina Diseases and Vitreoretinal Surgery Specialist
Born on March 20, 1968, in İzmir, Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün completed his middle education at Saint Joseph College and his high school education at Karşıyaka Gazi High School. After graduating from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1992, which he entered in 1986, he began his residency training in the Department of Ophthalmology at Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in the same year. In 1997, he became a specialist...
About Me VideosHow do cataracts occur?
The eye structure can be compared to a camera. The transparent cornea, which is the outermost surface of the eye, and the lens in the middle coincide with the lens of the camera. It refracts and focuses the light like a lens, allowing it to fall on the retina.
The lens is generally composed of water and protein. Over time, the deterioration of the water/protein balance and the accumulation of old cells in the lens towards the center cause the lens to become cloudy.
Cataract also causes a decrease in the light coming into the eye, so that clear vision decreases and blurry vision begins. As the cataract progresses, vision becomes more blurred.
What kind of complaints does cataract cause?
Cataracts cause other complaints as well as decreased vision. The most common complaints are the change in the number of glasses of the person in a short time, the deterioration of distance vision, the disappearance of the need for glasses for close-ups, the very discomfort of strong lights such as car headlights, the loss of brightness of colors, decrease in night vision, double vision.
How many types of cataracts are there?
- Age-related (senile) cataract: It is the most common form of cataract. As the name suggests, its frequency increases with age.
- Congenital (congenital) cataracts: Some babies are born with cataracts for various reasons or develop cataracts in infancy. These reasons can be genetic, related to birth trauma, microbial, developmental.
- Secondary cataract: Sugar (diabetes), long-term use of some drugs (cortisone, diuretics), exposure to ultraviolet or radiation are the main causes.
- Traumatic cataract: Blunt or penetrating injuries to the eye cause cataract formation.
Apart from these, living conditions (such as dietary habits, smoking and alcohol consumption) are also factors affecting the formation of cataracts.
| Operation Time | 15 minutes |
| Risks | Infection, lens shift |
| Side Effects | None |
| Who Can Be | People with reduced vision due to cataracts |
| Back to Work | 1 week |
How is cataract treated?
If the patient’s vision does not improve with the change of glasses, if the cataract has reached a level that will affect the patient’s quality of life, the treatment is surgery.
Today, cataract surgery is most commonly performed with the phacoemulsification (phaco) method. In this surgery, which lasts about 10 minutes, a small incision of 2 millimeters is entered and the lens with cataract is cleaned inside the eye with ultrasound waves, and then an artificial intraocular lens is placed through the same incision.
Cataract surgery with phaco is an extremely comfortable operation for the patient. The eye is anesthetized with drop anesthesia, and no stitches are put into the eye at the end of the operation. Therefore, it takes days for the patient to regain his sight and continue his daily life after the surgery.
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What is Phaco with Femtosecond Laser?
Today, laser technology has also entered into cataract surgeries. Some steps applied in the phaco method can be done with a femtosecond laser cutter. These stages are the creation of the main incision and lateral incisions, a round cut of the anterior membrane (capsule) of the cataract, the dissection of the cataract.
In the phaco method with laser, the variables that may belong to the doctor are eliminated as much as possible, these steps I have mentioned are carried out in an extremely standard and perfect way. Astigmatism can be corrected up to a certain number with the phaco method with a femtosecond laser.
Is it possible to get rid of glasses with cataract surgery?
Although cataract surgery in Izmir is the process of cleaning the blurred lens (cataract) of the patient and replacing it with an artificial lens, it is possible to completely or partially get rid of glasses after cataract surgery with the developing technologies.
Thanks to today’s technology, the artificial lens placed in the eye can be produced to correct the refractive errors of the patient. DETAILED INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT IS GIVEN IN THE SECTION OF MULTIFOCAL LENSES.
How many days does cataract surgery heal?
With the increase in awareness about cataracts, the question of how many days cataract surgery will heal gains importance. The recovery process after cataract surgery may vary depending on the age, general health status of the person and the surgery itself, but generally, the vast majority of patients can return home immediately after the surgery. For the recovery process, it is important for patients to follow the instructions given by their doctor after the surgery. These instructions may include the use of eye drops, eye protection, and avoidance of certain activities.
After cataract surgery, patients may have mild pain, swelling or stinging sensation in their eyes. In addition, temporary symptoms such as blurred vision or light sensitivity may occur, but usually, these symptoms subside within a few days and patients can return to their normal activities. A full recovery may take several weeks after surgery. During this time, patients may need to take certain precautions to help their eyes heal naturally. These measures may include wearing eye protection glasses or a bandage, avoiding certain activities, and taking medication as prescribed by the doctor.
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What should be considered after cataract surgery?
After cataract surgery, your doctor will give you a series of recommendations. These recommendations can be given in order to speed up the postoperative recovery process and increase the success of the surgery. For example, your doctor may advise you not to scratch your eyes, to close your eyes and rest, and to protect your eyes from water or dust. In addition, your doctor can advise you on the use of medications after surgery.
The healing process after cataract surgery can vary between individuals and may be faster in some individuals and slower in others. The recovery period after cataract surgery usually takes a few weeks and there may be swelling and bruising in the eyes in the first few days after surgery.
How Much Are Izmir Cataract Surgery Prices?
You can contact your doctor to get information about Izmir Cataract surgery prices.
F.A.Q
What are the first signs of having a cataract?
The first signs of having a cataract can be: Decreased visual acuity Changes in the visual field Changes in the colors seen Sun rays bothering the eyes Visual disturbances These symptoms may be mild and can become more severe over time. Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms of cataracts and see a doctor. Cataract can be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, and the necessary treatment can be applied.
At what age does cataract usually start?
Although there is no exact figure about the age at which cataract disease starts, it is known that this disease is more common in elderly individuals. Cataract disease, which can be seen rarely in young people, is generally seen in individuals over 60 – 70 years of age. There are very effective methods used for the treatment of this disease and generally positive results are obtained from these methods.
How long does cataract surgery last?
Cataract surgery is usually completed in as little as 10-15 minutes. However, when the pre- and post-operative examinations and other procedures are taken into account, the operation process may take even a few hours in special cases. Cataract surgery is usually performed under drop anesthesia, and during the surgery, the ophthalmologist removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a new one. New lenses used during surgery can offer a variety of options, and the ophthalmologist can choose the most suitable one based on the patient’s needs.
References:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21472-cataract-surgery
Tabin, G., Chen, M., & Espandar, L. (2008). Cataract surgery for the developing world. Current opinion in ophthalmology, 19(1), 55-59.