For your eyes only

The microsurgery of cataract has undergone a sea-change

Dr Rajan ChughThe treatment of cataract,an age-related decrease in vision is surgical and no medicine/eye drops can cure or slow down the progression of cataract and should not be used,for these may have side affects on other parts of the eye and body. The microsurgery of cataract has undergone a sea-change in recent times,and the surgical treatment for cataracts is easy,simple,patient-friendly. The procedure of stitchless cataract surgery,called phacoemulsification or Phaco,is executed by a sophisticated equipment where the ‘entry’ is just a tiny one that obviates the need of stitches resulting in safe outcome,faster healing and stabilization of vision – a minimal invasive approach. This procedure is not essentially a ‘laser’,as erroneously thought,but it has benefits akin to laser treatment which are tremendously useful in other diseases of the eyes. The procedure lasts for about 7-10 minutes. There is no pain,no hospitalisation,no green shield and not many precautions. One can join work within a couple of days depending upon the body’s response. This surgery is a continuously evolving one and there have been further advancements in phacoemulsification,namely Phaconit and cold Phaco. The cataractous lens is replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL). There is wide choice of lenses and consumables that can be used during cataract surgery with different results/parameters of vision as regards quality,night vision and precision. The total cost of surgery also depends upon these. Corneal endothelial cell buffers /protectors help preserving small endothelial cells during surgery which is important. There is a wide range of such operative consumables depending on which the efficacy,quality,function and cost varies. We are lucky that in India,this treatment is not costly. Don’t unnecessarily delay treatment of cataract and ‘struggle’ with decreasing sight (risking injuries and fractures) or a changed lifestyle. Cataract need not be “mature” or “ripe” resulting in complete loss of vision before an operation is planned. Also if cataract is allowed to remain as such,it tends to become hard making the operation difficult and decreasing chances of stitchless surgery. Remember that all old age visual problems are not due to cataract alone,so don’t self-diagnose and depend only on a specialist.