Cataract Treatments

What is a cataract?

Cataract is nothing but an opacity or clouding of the lens in the eye. The lens is the clear transparent part of the eye responsible for focussing light needed for image formation by the retina. Over a period of time, the lens starts accumulating clumps of water and as a result clear images cannot be formed. Gradually larger areas of the lens get opacified by these clumps and vision diminishes steadily.

Types of cataracts

• Age related cataracts – commonest.
• Congenital cataract – rare, occurring since birth.
• Traumatic cataract – due to an injury to the eye.
• Secondary cataract – due to some coexisting medical condition such as diabetes.

What causes cataracts?

Certain risk factors predispose an individual to get cataract at an earlier age such as:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• History of cataracts in the family
• Diabetes

Prolonged exposure to sunlight also seems to hasten cataract formation. Expert eye surgeons at Euromedic Healthcare are witnessing a growing number of cases of cataract occurring at an earlier age nowadays. Since no there is no known single cause, prevention becomes difficult.

Symptoms of cataract:

Symptoms appear gradually. Both eyes may have cataracts, but the degree to which each eye is affected may vary.

• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Small spots in the field of vision
• Difficulty in seeing in too bright light
• Double vision
• Halo around objects
• In advanced cases of cataract vision will appear yellowish or brown tinted.
• If you are using glasses they may appear inefficient

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should meet our expert panel of ophthalmologists at Euromedic Healthcare for a detailed eye examination which includes usage of ophthalmoscope as well as a dilated eye examination. Tonometry or measuring the pressure in the eye is also done. How to treat cataract Surgery is the only choice of treatment. Early cases of cataract can be managed with changing of glasses or using anti glare glasses. Once the cataract starts hampering your daily chores, it’s advisable to go for surgery. Cataract surgery is done on an outpatient basis without any hospital admission. Phacoemulsion is the commonest method wherein a small incision is made in the eye through which ultrasound waves are passed to dissolve the opacified lens and remove remaining debris or fragments. Following this, a new lens is inserted where the original lens was. This new artificial lens will now allow clear image formation. Nowadays, new laser techniques take just a couple of minutes and are totally painless. These surgeries enable you to return home the very same day. Euromedic Care’s skilled ophthalmic surgeons ensure that you return to your everyday chores in no time!