Cataract refers to the clouding of the lens inside our eye, meaning our natural lens loses its transparency. This condition can develop with age or can be congenital. It can also be observed in infants and children.
What Are the Causes of Cataracts?
Generally developed with age, this condition can also be influenced by eye traumas (injury, surgery, prolonged illnesses). Diabetes and long-term use of steroid-containing medications can also lead to this condition.
Symptoms of Cataract
In this situation, symptoms such as double vision, cloudiness, night vision loss, light sensitivity, gradual vision decline, difficulty reading, colors fading over time, and frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions are observed, necessitating immediate consultation with a specialist.
How Does Cataract Develop?
Adult cataracts usually manifest at an advanced age. As the body ages, every organ, including the eyes and especially the eye lens, undergoes degeneration. These degenerations might alter the water content of the lens in some patients or cause deformation in the alignment of the lens fibers. For some, cellular debris might accumulate at the front and back of the lens, while for others, both situations might arise. In any case, the end result is the loss of transparency in the natural intraocular lens.
How Many Types of Cataracts Are There?
Age-related cataracts: This is the most common type of cataract, occurring with the aging of the intraocular lens over the years. The intraocular lens begins aging from the 40s. Diabetes, UV exposure, smoking, and nutritional deficiencies can accelerate this aging process.
Secondary cataracts: In young people, external factors like radiation therapy, or internal factors such as side effects of corticosteroids used in the treatment of certain diseases or diabetes, can cause cataract development. These occurrences are classified as secondary cataracts.
Congenital cataracts: In this type, cataract may be observed in infants immediately after birth. This condition can be hereditary or might be influenced by exposure to radiation while the baby is in the womb, the medications used by the mother, or smoking during pregnancy.
Is Cataract Treatable?
Cataract refers to the clouding and opacification of our normal natural lens inside the eye. Its only treatment is surgical.
Cataract Surgery
In a standard cataract surgery, corneal incisions are made with knives capable of precise micron-level cuts. The anterior capsule of the lens developed with cataract is opened in a circular manner with fine instruments. The cataract is fragmented and aspirated using the phaco method, which employs high ultrasonic sound waves, and an intraocular lens is placed within the capsule cleaned from the cataract.
When Should Cataract Surgery Be Performed?
Our natural intraocular lens is normally clear and transparent, allowing lights entering the eye to pass through and thus enabling vision. Cataract is the term used when this transparent intraocular lens becomes cloudy. It becomes difficult for light to pass through the clouded lens, reducing vision. The decrease in the patient’s vision and quality of life determines the timing of cataract surgery.
Can Cataract Surgery Be Done with Laser?
In femto cataract surgery, knives normally used for corneal incisions are replaced with femtosecond lasers. The anterior capsule of the cataract is cut and removed circularly with a femtosecond laser instead of tools. Additionally, the lens developed with cataract is divided into pieces using a femto-second laser and the phaco technique is utilized for cataract removal from the eye.
In Femtosecond laser cataract surgery;
- Corneal incisions
- Circular cutting of the anterior capsule
- Fragmentation of the cataract
- Creation of corneal incisions for astigmatism are performed.
Which Lenses Are Used in Cataract Surgery?
In this surgery, intraocular lenses that perform the same function as our own lens, which has lost transparency, are implanted. In our centers, every type of lens suitable for the patient’s needs and condition can be used.
Pre-Cataract Surgery
A comprehensive eye examination is performed before cataract surgery. Detailed investigations are conducted on the front and back portions of the eye. The power of the lens planned to be implanted is measured with special instruments. These procedures typically take 1-2 hours.
Post-Cataract Surgery Vision
Vision begins to return gradually immediately after cataract surgery. However, burning, stinging, and tearing occur in the first few hours. The quality of vision begins to improve within 1-2 days, and the desired level of vision is usually reached within 10-15 days. It should be noted that healing may vary from person to person.
Is There Pain After Cataract Surgery?
There is no pain after cataract surgery, but there is burning, stinging, and tearing. If severe pain is present, it indicates something is wrong. In this case, it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately.
Does Cataract Recur?
Cataract does not recur. The tissue that developed cataract, namely the lens, is removed and a new lens is placed instead. Since cataract will not develop in the newly implanted lens, the condition will not recur.
Is Cataract Genetic?
Cataract is a condition that develops with age. However, cataract development is rapid following eye trauma. In systemic diseases (like diabetes), cataract develops at an early age. Cataract can develop due to systemic medications (like corticosteroids).
Cataract can also be observed in infants from birth. It develops based on diseases the mother experiences during pregnancy. Early diagnosis (within the first 12 weeks) and surgical intervention of infant cataract are very important. Therefore, it is essential to conduct an eye examination on babies immediately after birth.
How Long Does Cataract Surgery Take?
In cataract surgery, the procedure duration for one eye is approximately 10 to 20 minutes. However, with pre-operative preparations including patient preparation, drop administration, and eye sterilization, the entire process in the hospital covers about 1-2 hours. During this period, the patient can usually undergo surgery with local drop anesthesia and no general anesthesia, without experiencing any pain during the procedure.
Post-Treatment Recovery Process of Cataract
The recovery process after cataract surgery varies from person to person, but usually a quick recovery is expected. Blurred vision is a common occurrence in the first few days following cataract surgery.
Complaints such as burning, stinging, or tearing in the eye decrease within the first few days. However, full visual clarity is typically achieved within 1-2 weeks. During this period, it is important for patients to use the drops recommended by the doctor regularly, avoid rubbing the eye, and wear protective glasses.
What Determines Cataract Surgery Costs?
Cataract surgery costs may vary based on the chosen hospital, the technology used, the experience of the physician, and the quality of the intraocular lens to be implanted. The suitable treatment and lens type for each individual diagnosed with cataract are personalized. Therefore, it would be more accurate to receive price information after evaluation by the physician.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is cataract diagnosed?
Cataract diagnosis is made through a comprehensive eye examination. The inside of the eye is examined using a drop that dilates the pupil, and it's checked whether the intraocular lens is cloudy. Visual acuity tests and detailed examinations of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, sometimes using advanced imaging techniques like optical tomography (OCT), can assist in diagnosis. When cataract is diagnosed, the impact on the patient's quality of life is evaluated and surgery is planned accordingly.
How long does blurred vision last after cataract surgery?
In the first hours and even for 1-2 days, vision may not be entirely clear. This is due to edema around the eye, light sensitivity, and the healing process. On average, visual acuity significantly improves within 10-15 days.
Are the intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery personalized?
Yes, the intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery are specifically selected based on the patient's visual needs. There are options for single-focus, multi-focus, or trifocal lenses. Some lenses can also correct astigmatism. The type of lens is recommended by the doctor based on the patient’s lifestyle, expectations, and eye structure. Therefore, the most suitable lens may differ for each patient.
Does cataract recur after surgery?
No, once cataract is removed, it does not recur in the same lens tissue. Because the natural lens that lost transparency is removed during surgery and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens. However, some patients may develop opacification behind the capsule post-surgery. This condition is known as "secondary cataract" and is usually treatable with a simple laser procedure.
