Cataracts are a leading cause of partial blindness all over the world. The condition which may be the result of congenital causes or aging is due to progressive cloudiness of the eye lens. Hundreds of thousands of operations to treat this problem are performed throughout the world every year. There are a number of important facts on cataract surgery San Antonio residents need to know if they intend on having the operation.
Not all cases of cataract are operated. People who have cloudiness that only interferes with their vision only slightly need not be operated on. On the other hand, if the condition has adversely affected the quality of life and one is having difficulties in carrying out day to day activities such as reading and driving, surgery should be considered.
Before the operation, your surgeon will have to examine you to determine whether you are fit to undergo the operation. The evaluation is meant to confirm that one is indeed suffering from cataract and it is the cause or the main cause of their visual impairment. The pressure of the eye is measured and if abnormal (as in the case of glaucoma), drugs are administered to normalize it.
The operation itself is considered a day procedure that takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Local anesthesia is used and you will remain conscious as it is carried out. The surgeon makes a small incision on the eye to access the lens. The defected lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one made of plastic. In the event that both eyes are effected, the two operations are scheduled a few weeks apart.
The complications that are seen with this type of operation are very rare. In the immediate postoperative period, those that are seen include bleeding, eye infection, tearing of lens capsules. The commonest long term complication is a condition characterized by formation of an opaque membrane behind the lens. This condition is known as posterior capsule opacification or PCO. It is corrected using laser eye surgery.
You will be discharged on some eye drops to be used at home especially during the first two to three days. The operated eye should not come into contact with anything (including soap and water) for three to four weeks as instructed by the doctor. This notwithstanding, you will be able to carry out your normal activities as soon as you leave the hospital.
There are several benefits realized after the operation. Generally, vision is improved greatly in spite of the fact that glasses are often needed. The initial days may be a bit hazy but progressive improvement is seen with time. Focus becomes a lot better and patients are comfortable looking into light and identifying bright objects. Another benefit is the ability to differentiate colors with ease.
The main treatment of cataracts is surgery. Success is dependent on proper evaluation of candidates and adequate postoperative care. The good news is that complications are rare and those that occur can be easily managed using drugs or a second operation. While the artificial lens may not be as good as a normal natural one, the quality of life is greatly improved after the operation.
Not all cases of cataract are operated. People who have cloudiness that only interferes with their vision only slightly need not be operated on. On the other hand, if the condition has adversely affected the quality of life and one is having difficulties in carrying out day to day activities such as reading and driving, surgery should be considered.
Before the operation, your surgeon will have to examine you to determine whether you are fit to undergo the operation. The evaluation is meant to confirm that one is indeed suffering from cataract and it is the cause or the main cause of their visual impairment. The pressure of the eye is measured and if abnormal (as in the case of glaucoma), drugs are administered to normalize it.
The operation itself is considered a day procedure that takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Local anesthesia is used and you will remain conscious as it is carried out. The surgeon makes a small incision on the eye to access the lens. The defected lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one made of plastic. In the event that both eyes are effected, the two operations are scheduled a few weeks apart.
The complications that are seen with this type of operation are very rare. In the immediate postoperative period, those that are seen include bleeding, eye infection, tearing of lens capsules. The commonest long term complication is a condition characterized by formation of an opaque membrane behind the lens. This condition is known as posterior capsule opacification or PCO. It is corrected using laser eye surgery.
You will be discharged on some eye drops to be used at home especially during the first two to three days. The operated eye should not come into contact with anything (including soap and water) for three to four weeks as instructed by the doctor. This notwithstanding, you will be able to carry out your normal activities as soon as you leave the hospital.
There are several benefits realized after the operation. Generally, vision is improved greatly in spite of the fact that glasses are often needed. The initial days may be a bit hazy but progressive improvement is seen with time. Focus becomes a lot better and patients are comfortable looking into light and identifying bright objects. Another benefit is the ability to differentiate colors with ease.
The main treatment of cataracts is surgery. Success is dependent on proper evaluation of candidates and adequate postoperative care. The good news is that complications are rare and those that occur can be easily managed using drugs or a second operation. While the artificial lens may not be as good as a normal natural one, the quality of life is greatly improved after the operation.
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If you need to have cataract surgery San Antonio eye specialist is the best person to speak with. Come and arrange for an appointment online via http://www.saeye.com.
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