Cataract: Symptoms, Cure and Recovery
A very common eye condition leading to a decline in vision, cataract is a result of the clear lens of the eyes becoming cloudy or opaque. Though the actual reason behind cataract is still to be found, it is believed that the disease is caused by slow changes in the protein structure in the natural lens, a trait which causes loss in transparency & gives it the cloudy appearance. Though cataract is most prevalent amongst the ageing population, in rare situations, it can also be due to a birth defect, severe injury, steroid consumption, unhealthy lifestyle or genetics.
In most cases, a cataract surgery under the guidance of cataract surgery specialist eye doctors is the best and sure-shot solution to it.
Symptoms
Look out for symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, resistance to glare, trouble in reading, difficulty in conducting daily visual activities, near sightedness and frequent changes in glasses power – these are signs suggestive of a cataract. In case you are facing one or more of these, book your appointment with a reputed eye specialist doctor. He will examine your eyes through specialized viewing instruments and check for lens opacification.
All these symptoms can be handled with utmost ease through a cataract surgery.
Cure
The only cure for cataract is a cataract removal surgery which is usually a day care procedure. The specialist eye doctor numbs your eye with anaesthetic drops (sometimes an injection), begins a process called Phacoemulsification. An operating microscope is used in this process to make a small incision near the cornea and to break the clouded natural lens through high ultrasonic vibrations. Once this lens is pulled out, the empty space is filled with a synthetic Intra Ocular Lens (IOL). The artificial IOL is inserted after thorough measurement, calculations & examination and advice by the surgical specialist doctor to aim for restoration of excellent vision post cataract surgery.
Other cataract removal procedures like extracapsular cataract surgery and intracapsular cataract surgery are also performed in specific instances in advanced cases of cataract.
Recovery
The surgery is usually followed by medications and eye drops for a few weeks to reduce inflammation, keep the pressure low and protect the wound from infection. One or two visits to the eye specialist in the week post surgery followed by 1-2 more in the next few weeks can be expected. These visits are to check for the progress and ensure no post-surgical complications. In most cases, the patient feels an improvement in vision within few days and is able to resume normal activities within a week to a fortnight post the surgery. Glasses may be prescribed after 5-7 days of surgery.