What is a cataract?

An eye cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, thereby permitting less light to pass through to the eye screen. Normally chances of a cataract increase with age. Nearly 68% Americans above 80 have had a cataract during their lifetime. A cataract cannot be corrected by glasses, contact lenses, or LASIK surgery. While research is going on for medicines which will reduce the cloudiness, currently, IOL surgery is the only solution to cataracts.

Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is now a very routine procedure which lasts about 15 minutes (apart from the preparatory steps) as an outpatient. In cataract surgery, the lens inside your eye that has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL) to restore clear vision.

The procedure

Cataract surgery is preceded by a rigorous examination, measurement of eye parameters, and history-taking to ensure suitability, and to determine the appropriate power of the lens to be placed. During the surgery:

·         The clouded natural lens is broken into small pieces by ultrasound (phaco) emulsifiation or lasers.

·         A very small incision is made and these pieces are sucked out

·         The selected artificial lens is inserted through the incision positioned (normally) behind the iris and the pupil of the eye.

·         The incision is closed (with or without stiches).

·         A protective shield is put over the eye for physical safety of the eye.

After the surgery

·         You will be kept in rest for about an hour so that the anesthetic effect reduces. You will be given dark glasses to wear outdoors and in bright light.

·         You can get someone to drive home.

·         You can remove the eye shield at home but must wear it at night.

·         In case there is some abnormality, report it the next day.

·         You should see quite clear images by the next day or even earlier.

·         Normally far vision will be corrected, but you may be prescribed reading glasses after about a month.

Glasses correct many vision defects. But they have disadvantages. Imagine you are looking your glasses and cannot find them because you can’t see without them. This can be particularly frustrating if your glasses fell off accidentally in an emergent situation. Would you like your glasses to be inside your eyes rather than over them? That is what implantable collamer lenses (ICL) can do for you.

What is an implantable collamer lens?

A pair of implantable collamer lenses are just like your pair of glasses, but they reside inside your eyes always. You do not have to remove them for wiping, and you won’t misplace them! It is a tiny, foldable lens made of a biocompatible material called collamer, which is placed inside your eye, normally behind the iris and in front of the lens.

LASIK is currently the most common and popular laser vision correction surgery. Except for very severe abnormalities, LASIK will reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses in the following problems, such as: 

•             Near vision

•             Far vision 

•             Astigmatism

Types of LASIK Surgery Procedures :

Several types of LASIK surgery are available. The type chosen by the surgeon will depend on the nature of your eye problems, and the technology available to him. 

•             Wavefront Optimized LASIK, 

•             Wavefront-Guided LASIK, 

•             Topography-Guided LASIK,

Who can benefit from LASIK Eye Correction Surgery?

Most people with ages between 18 and 50 years who have mild to moderate vision problems can benefit from LASIK surgery. However, LASIK treatment may not be advised if you:

•             Have severe focusing problems

•             Are under 18, i.e., your eyesight is still changing.

•             Have dry eyes.

•             Have a thin cornea

•             Have cataracts or advanced level glaucoma, or have had ocular herpes.

•             Have immunity disorders

•             Possess large pupils

Possible side effects of LASIK Eye Correction Treatment 

LASIK surgery is effective and safe, but may have some side effects which your eye surgeon will explain to you before surgery. In some situations, these possible effects may preclude LASIK operation.

•             Dry eyes- The treatment can temporarily reduce tear output. If you are already suffering from reduced tear output your ophthalmologist may think of other solutions.

•             Under- or over-correction- The treatment will give you a definite improvement but your vision may be under-corrected or overcorrected.

•             Night vision problems- Even though you perfectly in daylight you may experience glare at night. These symptoms may reduce over time.

•             Temporary Eye infections- Eye infection may arise after treatment but can be treated easily with antibiotic eye drops or steroids.