Cataract Surgery Treatment:

We have seen recent advances in the Cataract Surgery treatment with the majority of patients experiencing Cataracts are going through this surgery. Yes, the procedure of Cataract Surgery by the laser is becoming popular nowadays because it is the safest and effective treatment method that not only treats underlying condition completely but also restores your vision so that you can easily perform daily activities without the need for eye glasses or contacts. So, whether you have Cataract or you have a risk of developing it in future, here we give you some useful things about this popular treatment that could be helpful for you if you have decided to undergo Cataract Surgery:

Some useful things about Cataract Surgery treatment that you should know:

Cataract & Cataract Surgery is common:

The condition of Cataract is the common eye disorder that affects the older people and is the main cause of permanent vision loss worldwide. The majority of older Americans on reaching 80 years of age experience either Cataract or undergo Cataract Surgery that involves removing the clouded lens of your eye and replacing it with artificial intraocular lens (IOL) while different techniques are being used to perform this procedure. It has been observed that in the United States, more than 3.5 million Cataract Surgeries are performed every year. 

Cataract has various symptoms and risk factors:

At first, Cataract only affects a small part of your eye lens so you may not notice the symptoms. But when Cataract grows larger, it causes more cloudiness in your vision and you start noticing the symptoms. These symptoms include cloudy, blur vision, fading of colors, seeing glare or halos around lights, poor night vision and double vision in a single eye. Age is one of the biggest factors that increase the risk of developing Cataract. Some other risk factors include diabetes, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, excessive sunlight exposure and obesity.

 The average age of Cataract Surgery patient is falling:

There is an increase in the number of Cataract surgeries and the average age of patient undergoing surgery is decreasing. According to a recent study of patients in the United States, the average age of Cataract Surgery patient is now 65. Earlier, in 2004, this age was around 73-75 years.

Patients choose to undergo Cataract Surgery earlier:

Nowadays, patients chose to have Cataract Surgery earlier before the condition worsens their vision than the previous generations. The most important reason is that the Cataract Surgery by the laser is safe with few complications. Today, patients don’t want to wait until the condition severely affects their vision and so they undergo surgery before the symptoms become severe. In the past, the patients and the doctors wait for the appearance of noticeable symptoms. According to experts, the younger patients don’t want to hinder their daily activities with the vision problems, for example, poor night vision, sensitivity to glare, difficulty in reading or hindrance with sports such as tennis or golf. On a positive note, it is a good way because these patients are demanding restored vision.

Risks are associated with Cataract Surgery:

The possibility of complications is very less while most of the compilations can be treated. According to American Academy of Ophthalmology, the rate of severe complications is very low ranging from one to four percent. Some common complications include inflammation, dislocation of artificial lens and detachment of the retina.  

Moreover, the risk of complications becomes high if you have another eye disorder or any other medical condition because Cataract Surgery will not improve the vision in the presence of any other condition. So, it is important that the patient and the ophthalmologist should evaluate and then treat the underlying eye disorder before deciding about Cataract Surgery.

Cataract Surgery is simple and straightforward procedure:

Cataract Surgery is an outpatient procedure performed by an eye doctor (called as an ophthalmologist) and it means that you don’t need to stay in the hospital. At first, the ophthalmologist numbs your eye with anesthetic eye drops before Cataract Surgery and most of the patients want to stay awake during the procedure while some need to be given anesthetic drops. There are different techniques of removing and placing the artificial lens. Traditionally, ultrasound energy is used to remove the clouded lens which is then suctioned out from the eye and artificial lens is placed. In recent times, laser-assisted technology is also used to remove clouded lens.

Major advancements in Cataract Surgery procedure:

There have been major advancements in the surgical technique of Cataract Surgery procedure and replacement lens quality since the 1970s as the complete safety and experience of the patient has improved a lot. There is also increase in the benefits of Cataract Surgery due to these advancements.

In the 1970s, the procedure of Cataract Surgery was performed on inpatient basis that means the patient needs to stay in the hospital. The incision made for removing and replacing the lens is more than a centimeter and sutures are required after placing the lens. But today, the patient needs to stay for around less than two hours in an outpatient center. Around 15 minutes are required to perform Cataract Surgery procedure with an incision of only one fifth the previous size and no sutures are required.

Cataract Surgery is unavailable in many developing countries:

According to World Health Organization (WHO), Cataract is the main cause of half of permanent vision loss or blindness in the developing countries and it affects around 20 million people. The most important cause of these statistics is that the Cataract Surgery is unavailable in these countries or patients have a lack of access to the Cataract Surgery. According to a study conducted in the United States, the rate of Cataract Surgery is 10,000 cases per one million people, but in developing countries, this rate is very low.

Conclusion:

Only the early diagnosis of Cataract through regular eye exams and eye care and the effective Cataract treatment can protect and restores your vision. The Cataract Surgery is the best treatment option that can effectively and safely replace the clouded lens with artificial lens ensuring a clear vision. If you’re experiencing blurred vision or any other symptom of Cataract then you can consult ophthalmologists at Menger Eye Centers in Glendale, NYC. They are board-certified ophthalmologists who provide regular eye exams, advanced diagnostic tests and customized treatment plan that restores your vision. To schedule an appointment online, visit our website and fill out the contact form.