Cataract Surgery

Cataract is the clouding that occurs in the lens of the eye and the loss of transparency of the eye’s natural lens. The lens of the eye is located behind the iris and the pupil, behind the transparent layer at the front of the eye. If the lens begins to cloud, the passage of light is obstructed, vision deteriorates, and a change occurs in the composition of the lens affected by the cataract. The best known type of cataract is the one that occurs unexpectedly. This type of cataract is seen at the age of 45 or even younger. The causes of cataract are age, severe blows to the eye, intraocular inflammation, diabetes, long-term use of cortisone, drug use, eye injuries and other diseases. Sometimes it can also be seen in newborn babies together with various metabolic diseases. The main symptoms of cataract are sensitivity to light, blurred vision, difficulty reading, double vision, deterioration of night vision, gradual decrease in vision, glare, fading of colours and frequent changes in prescription. When these and similar symptoms appear, cataract surgery should be discussed and an examination should be carried out, because these symptoms may be the sign not only of cataract but of another disease as well. This is why a detailed eye examination is always very important. Sometimes, because the cataract is small, no symptom is felt, since cataract is a slowly progressing condition. As it progresses, losses in vision occur. Sometimes, on the contrary, near vision may seem to improve, but this is temporary. Surgery for cataract should be performed with early diagnosis, before the patient’s clear vision is lost and their ability to work is weakened. Not all cataracts are the same; they generally form as a clouding of the lens. In some, the clouding first forms in the lens of the eye and then spreads to all parts of the lens.

Cataract is not a condition that can be treated with glasses or any medicine. People who develop this condition, which is generally seen as a result of ageing, may also experience problems such as greying hair and increased wrinkles. Other causes are a patient who has suffered trauma being exposed to high doses of X-rays, smoking, congenital conditions and genetic factors. In a patient diagnosed with cataract, treatment consists of removing the lens that has lost its transparency and placing an artificial lens in its place so that the patient sees well again. The decision for the patient to have surgery is made by specialist surgeons when the patient experiences blurring severe enough to prevent daily activities. Since medicines, eye drops and exercises cannot remove a cataract, the only way of treatment is to replace the clouded lens of the eye with an intraocular lens. Because the success rate of cataract surgery is very high, patients should not hesitate to have this operation; on the contrary, they should be examined promptly for early diagnosis.