What are cataracts and what treatments are available?

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:

- Loss of distance vision. Decreased color and brightness of objects.

- Blurred vision or the sensation of having a veil in front of you.

- Glare (dysphotopsia). Double vision (monocular diplopia).

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:

1. SENILE CATARACT

They are a consequence of the natural aging of the lens and lead to a progressive loss of transparency.

3. METABOLIC CATARACTS

They are the result of certain metabolic conditions that cause alterations in the lens.

3. CONGENITAL CATARACT

Cataracts in children are rare. They can be caused by infection during pregnancy, chromosomal abnormalities or hereditary problems.

4. TRAUMATIC CATARACT

Rapidly developing, they are caused by physical injuries that affect the lens, such as bruises, electric shock or radiation.

5. TOXIC CATARACT

They are induced by the use or abuse of drugs or toxins such as topical or systemic corticosteroids.

6. SECONDARY CATARACT

Developed from another ocular pathology (high myopia, angle closure glaucoma, chronic anterior uveitis, etc.).

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.