What is Cataract?

Cataract is clouding or haziness of the eye's natural lens. It is a natural process of ageing. Every individual gets it sooner or later. Cataract impairs focusing of light on the retina and hence blurs vision.

What are the types and causes of cataract?

1. Senile Cataract (Due to old age)
2. Congenital Cataract (occurs by birth)
3. Traumatic Cataract (Due to eye injuries)
4. Medicine Induced Cataract (commonly a side effect of steroid drugs)

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery or cataract operation is a medical procedure aimed at removing the natural clouded lens of the eye, which causes impaired vision. During the cataract procedure, the surgeon replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The cataract eye treatment not only eliminates the cataract but also improves the patient's overall vision quality.

Signs You May Need Cataract Surgery.
The below mentioned symptoms may suggest the presence of cataracts. (Make the below list into 2 columns)

1. Cloudy vision
2. Blurry vision
3. Glares and halos around lights
4. Light sensitivity
5. Difficulty seeing at night
6. Double vision (multiple vision)
7. Fading of colors
8. Frequent changing of prescriptions
9. Distorted vision

Recognizing the signs indicate that the need for cataract surgery and timely medical intervention to reduce further and irreversible vision loss.

Surgical options Available

The decision to treat a cataract is made together by the eye care practitioner and the patient. It is based on the degree to which the cataract is impairing vision and the effect on the patient's quality of life. We provide an extensive list of surgical options and lens combinations to best suit our patient's needs.

There are 2 major treatment options available for cataract:

1. Phacoemulsification: A most common and modern technique for cataract eye surgery. It involves using ultrasound energy to break up the cloudy lens into small fragments, which are suctioned out of the eye.
2. Extra capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE): In this traditional method, the surgeon removes the entire lens in one piece. Phacoemulsification is more common today due to its smaller incisions and faster recovery.

What lens should I choose?

The choice of suitable Intra ocular lens (IOL) is of paramount importance when it comes to success of surgery and vision recovery. Since this choice has the most long term effect, we provide a comprehensive list of lenses to suit all combinations of medical needs, patient preferences and budget demands as well as rigorous counseling and patient education helping our patients make the best choice for their needs.

Intraocular Lens Options

• Monofocal IOL: This lens type provides clear vision at a single focal distance, typically for distance vision. Glasses may be needed for reading or other tasks.
• Multifocal IOL: These lenses are designed to provide clear vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses after surgery.
• Toric IOL: Corrects astigmatism in addition to cataracts.
• Accommodative IOL: Mimics the natural lens' ability to shift focus between near and far distances.

Facilities Available at Netra Nidan Eye Hospital and Research Center for Treatment of Cataract

1. Topical non-stitch, non-pad Phacoemulsification Cataract operation.
2. Phaco Emulsification units from Abbot Medical Optics U.S.A
3. TAKAGI ZOOM operating microscope for micro surgical procedures from Japan
4. Implantation of Specialised lenses like Multifocal & Toric lenses
5. Comfortable ward and private AC room facility for outstation patients
6. YAG Laser Capsulotomy for After Cataract
7. Ultrasound A-scan