There is no medicinal treatment for cataracts. Surgery is currently the only treatment option for cataracts. Cataract surgery is performed to restore clear vision in patients whose visual acuity and quality have diminished due to cataracts. During the procedure, the patient’s cloudy lens is replaced with a new lens.
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lens due to a loss of transparency. There are different types of cataracts based on the hardness and location of cloudiness in the intraocular lens. For example, cataracts on the back of the lens may cause more complaints and may require earlier surgery.
Cataracts are detected during an eye examination by an ophthalmologist. Therefore, every healthy individual should undergo an annual eye examination.
Currently, the most common surgical technique for cataracts is phacoemulsification, often referred to as “laser surgery.” In the phaco technique, a small incision of 2.2 mm is made, and the cloudy lens is emulsified using torsional phaco energy and removed. A special lens, designed to be folded and inserted through a small opening, is then implanted into the eye. Since the incision is small, stitches are usually not necessary.
The success of laser cataract surgery largely depends on the surgeon’s experience, the quality of the devices and technologies used, and the lens quality. After the operation, the cloudiness caused by the cataract disappears, and visual acuity is fully restored. Patients often realize just how impaired their vision had been once they see clearly again.
In cataract surgery assisted by femtosecond laser, the ophthalmologist uses a computer-controlled laser device. Based on preoperative assessments, the incision’s shape, angle, and dimensions on the cornea are loaded into the computer. The laser parameters for opening the front capsule of the lens and breaking down the cataract according to its hardness are also input into the device. The femtosecond laser application is then performed, using a special lens tailored for the eye. In standard phaco surgery, this process is done with mechanical instruments, relying on the surgeon’s experience.
Yes, with the application of multifocal lenses, this is possible. These multifocal lenses offer clear vision at both near and far distances. During phaco surgery, the natural lens of the eye is replaced with these special lenses, which have multiple rings to allow for both near and distant vision. Patients quickly adapt to these lenses and can see comfortably at both distances without glasses after the surgery.
For each eye, a detailed preoperative evaluation and special measurements are required to determine whether multifocal lenses are suitable for the patient. It is essential to understand the patient’s needs, such as whether seeing at a distance or close-up is more important for their occupation and activities. Additionally, factors like the patient’s occupation, age, social activities, reading habits, and intellectual level play a crucial role in lens selection. Patients should not have diabetes, advanced glaucoma, or retinal disease. The suitability of the pupil size is also assessed during patient selection.
The cost of cataract treatment varies depending on factors like the technique used (laser or non-laser) and the type of lens (such as multifocal smart lenses or astigmatism-correcting toric lenses).
Timely cataract surgery is crucial. Delayed surgery increases the risks associated with hard cataracts and reduces the chance of inserting specialized intraocular lenses (trifocal, trifocal toric, toric, smart lenses).
While cataracts are generally considered an age-related eye condition, they can be congenital in newborns and children. Additionally, they can develop early in people with diabetes, kidney disease, or those who have used corticosteroid medications for an extended period. Cataracts may also occur after an eye injury.
If the vision impairment caused by cataracts affects the patient’s quality of life, surgery should be planned. With proper patient selection, surgical technique, surgeon expertise, and lens selection, these operations yield a high success rate.
Cataracts occur to some degree in everyone as they age. Wearing high-quality sunglasses that protect against UV rays may slow cataract development. Additionally, a healthy diet and controlled blood sugar levels may prevent or delay cataract formation.
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PROFESSOR YONCA AYDIN AKOVAOphthalmologist and Eye Surgeon
Cataract Surgery Turkey
Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery