What are cataracts?
Cataracts are the result of the natural ageing of the lens, which causes sclerosis (loss of elasticity) and opacification (loss of transparency). As a result, light rays do not reach the retina correctly and the patient cannot see clearly.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Cataracts usually appear gradually, so that the patient does not usually notice the decrease in their visual quality until they are moderately advanced. Some of the most frequent symptoms include:
Different types of cataracts
Although the most common form of cataract is that associated with the natural aging of the individual, it is not the only type of cataract that can occur. Depending on the cause and time of presentation, we differentiate:
CATARACT CORRECTION
WATERFALLS
The only effective treatment for cataract removal is through surgery . Optical correction (glasses or contact lenses) and medications do not eliminate this pathology.
Cataract surgery replaces the opacified natural lens with a intraocular lens (MESS).
Cataracts are removed using the technique of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implant. This technique can be assisted by the use of laser femtosecond (femtophake), or be replaced by the use of nanolaser.
SURGERY
PHACOEMULSIFICATION
The phacoemulsification It is a microincisional procedure for sutureless, completely outpatient cataract surgery.
This technique makes use of a ultrasonic tip which is responsible for fragmenting the opacified lens and, using a suction system controlled by the surgeon, the cortical material is extracted through a minimal incision.
Advantages of cataract surgery
Being a harmless material, the lens lasts a lifetime and there is no established age limit for this.
Fix more defects
It also allows for the correction of refractive defects (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism).
Whenever
It is not necessary to wait for the cataract to mature before performing the procedure.
Simple surgery
Sutureless surgery with rapid recovery. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.
INTRAOCULAR LENSES
PSEUDOPHAKIC
In cataract surgery, the opacified crystalline lens is replaced by an intraocular lens. These lenses are in all cases inert and biocompatible, meaning they are completely harmless to our eyes.
However, not all pseudophakic intraocular lenses are the same, as it will depend on whether our objective is only to eliminate the cataract or also to eliminate the patient's prescription. Based on whether the intraocular lenses will allow the patient to see without glasses or contact lenses, at short, medium or far distance, we can distinguish between monofocal or multifocal lenses. Those that also correct astigmatism are known as toric.
Over the years, the posterior capsule of the lens on which the intraocular lens is implanted becomes fibrous, causing visual impairment months/years after the intervention. This is what is generally known as “getting the contact lens dirty” although the reality is that it is not the intraocular lens that gets dirty, but the capsule on which it rests. The solution is quick and simple by using YAG capsulotomy.