Sunday 18 September 2011

What Cataract Surgery Is Available?




What Cataract Surgery Is Available?
If you are suffering from cataracts then there is help at hand. Did you know you can have surgery to correct the problem? For those of you who don't know what cataracts are, they are the clouding of the lens in the eye. This condition usually doesn't develop in people under the age of 50 but it is quite common in people in their 70's. Cataracts develop slowly over time, but if they are left without being treated then eventually the lens can become completely hardened and cloudy and sight can be impaired. By having the lens of the eye replaced, a person's sight can go back to how it would be if the cataracts had not developed. Anyone with cataracts in the family is more likely to develop the condition, as are people with kidney problems or diabetes.
Depending on how advanced the condition is, it is possible to wear glasses or contacts if you have cataracts which can help a person see more, but this is far from a perfect solution, especially when there is surgery that can help remove the condition altogether. Regular check ups for your eyes are absolutely essential from the age of 50 so that if you have started to develop cataracts you can be given appropriate glasses or given advice on how to slow down the development.
Cataract surgery is safe and comes with very few risks. If the condition has developed to the point where sight is impaired, surgery should be considered. During the surgery the cloudy lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial one that is not only free from problems but unable to develop the same condition again in the future. The surgery doesn't take very long and often surgery is finished after just half an hour. Local anesthetic is used during the procedure and a very small incision is made on the surface of the cornea. Ultrasound technology is used to help break up the existing, cloudy lens which is then removed. An artificial lens will be put in its place.
You can receive customised cataract surgery too which means you can receive a lens that carries with it other benefits. For example if you are also long sighted, this can be corrected at the same time. Your eye surgeon or doctor will discuss all the options available with you when you go for a consultation. You can spend time discussing the treatments available and how much it will cost. With cataract surgery, there is not a very big rush to having the surgery which means you can take your time choosing where to go and when to have it done. Other conditions do not work like this. For example with glaucoma, any lost sight cannot be replaced which means surgery should be had as soon as possible.
Following cataract surgery you may be required to rest for a few hours. Over the next couple of days you should also take life a little easier than you might otherwise and there will be a couple of check ups required back at the hospital. The risk of infection is small but it is still necessary for the doctor to be able to check everything is as it should be. After a few days life can go back to normal. It is a safe and low risk procedure that can bring huge benefits to a person's life. If you are interested in finding out about cataract surgery you should contact a nearby eye hospital to make an inquiry.

No comments: