Phacoemulsification involves emulsifying or liquifying the natural lens of the eye. It is the latest, state-of-the-art, and extremely safe technology to remove the cataract.
The eye lens is located behind the iris, which helps to focus the light on the retina in order to produce clear and sharp images.
However, with the growing age, the lens hardens and loses its ability to accommodate. The entire lens is held within a lens capsule. As you grow older, oxidative processes occur. Proteins and dead cells accumulate in the lens capsule, which causes the lens to become cloudy. Due to this, the light doesn’t get focused and scatters around because of the cloudiness and the vision gets blurred. It loses its ability to give clear and sharp vision.
It has revolutionized the management of cataracts and visual rehabilitation. The technique has been much improved with the up-gradation in the technology and types of equipment. Thereby, the results of surgery have also undergone a huge change since then. Now we have much smaller incisions. The Quality of the foldable lenses has also developed a lot. Most of the cataract surgeries performed today are in the form of Phacoemulsification surgery. The reason behind this is its excellent visual outcomes, patient safety, and efficiency.
A person may have a cataract for several years before the vision gets weakened enough to result in surgery. Your eye specialist may suggest wearing eyeglasses, at first. It helps improve vision on a temporary basis. But as the lens turns cloudier, vision declines. As the cataract develops and gets worse, you may notice below symptoms:
Whereas, if a younger person or a diabetic has a cataract, it grows at a much faster rate. Therefore, the ophthalmologist will recommend phacoemulsification surgery sooner in such cases. Surgery may also be recommended more quickly if the patient is suffering from some other eye disease as well.
When symptoms worsen, it can become difficult to perform day-to-day activities. In such cases, it becomes crucial to undergo surgery. The Eye Specialist will conduct a complete ocular exam to determine the severity of the cataract and what type of surgery you need. For the denser and worse cataract condition, the older method of extracapsular extraction is widely preferred.
If both eyes have a cataract, each must be treated separately.
The exam should include measuring the visual acuity under both low and high illumination, assessment of visual fields, microscopic examination of eye structures, pupil dilation, and measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP). The overall patient health is also a factor to be considered, and how it will affect the outcome of the surgery. The surgeon may ask you to undergo a complete physical examination before surgery.
Immediately after the surgery, the patient needs to wait in the outpatient recovery area to be monitored. You will be advised to rest for at least 24 hours when you will be asked to return to the Eye Hospital Delhi for a follow-up. Only light meals are advised on the day of surgery. You may still feel a bit drowsy or may even experience slight eye strain or discomfort. Usually, some over-the-counter medications may also be advised for pain relief, but you must check first with the doctor.
If you experience any other side effects, for example, severe pain, nausea, or vomiting, you must report it to your surgeon immediately. You may feel some changes in the eye during recovery. Some patients also see dark spots. But these disappear within a few weeks after surgery. There might be some discharge and itching, also. Patients may use a warm, moist cloth to put on the eyes for 15 minutes at a time for relief and to loosen any particles on eyelashes, etc. The particles should be gently cleared away with soft tissue, not a fingertip. You may even experience some pain and sensitivity to light. Some patients may also have slight bruising or drooping which will improve as the eye heals.
Patients are asked to visit the Eye Hospital Delhi on the day after the surgery. Your Eye Specialist will remove the eye cover and prescribe eye drops to prevent infections and control pressure from the IOL. These eye drops are to be used for about a month after surgery.
Next exams are usually at 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 to 8 weeks following surgery.
Meanwhile, you will be advised to wear an eye cover while sleeping for 1 to 2 weeks. And no eye rubbing. During this time, you may be asked to wear special tinted sunglasses or the current prescription eyeglasses to prevent possible eye trauma from accidental rubbing or bumping. Unlike other types of cataract extraction, patients can resume normal activity almost immediately after phaco. After the eyes are healed completely, you will probably need new corrective lenses, at least for close vision.
Choosing the right eye surgeon is crucial to the success of the operation because their expertise in this surgical technique is the main deciding factor of the outcomes of cataract surgery. Phacoemulsification surgery is a highly sophisticated method that depends on the surgical skill and experience of the performing doctor. It is essential that you choose a doctor with whom you can comfortably discuss your medical conditions. A good ophthalmologist will explain the risks and benefits of the surgery in detail, and assist you in making an informed decision about your eye health and visual needs.
Selecting the right facility is important because it determines the operation theatre. Best Eye Hospital Delhi should be free from any possible contamination to ensure protection from infections. The right patient experience in pleasant surroundings will bring a feeling of well-being.
The Eye Specialist will determine which surgical procedure will bring the desired results only after a thorough Eye Testing is done. Transplanting Premium IOLs provide better optics, therefore, they usually get better visual results. They minimize optical irregularities and neutralize some refractive errors, including astigmatism.
The last, but not the least determinant of surgical success is your eye health. If the patient is not suffering from any other eye diseases like corneal opacity and diseases, retinal disorders like age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, In that case, the outcome of the surgery is excellent. Pre-existing refractive errors can usually be compensated for by choosing the appropriate IOL for the implant.
Complications occur in the rarest of rare cases. When a patient experiences spontaneous bleeding from the wound and recurrent inflammation after surgery. Flashing, floaters, and double vision are still there, even a few weeks after surgery. Such symptoms must be promptly brought to the notice of the surgeon. Some problems can easily be treated, while floaters, etc. may be a sign of a retinal detachment.
Retinal detachment is a very serious likely complication. The retina becomes detached by the surgery if there is any weakness in the retina. This complication may not be felt even after a few weeks or months.
Infections are another possible complication. The most serious one is Endophthalmitis. it is an infection in the eyeball. This problem, once widely reported, has become quite uncommon today because of better surgery techniques and antibiotics.
Patients may also be concerned that their IOL might become displaced, but innovations in the field of IOLs also have limited reports of intraocular lens dislocation.
Another potential complications are the onset of glaucoma.
It is also likely that a secondary cataract may develop in the remaining part of the capsule. This can happen for as long as one to two years after surgery. YAG capsulotomy is most often used for secondary cataracts. This outpatient procedure uses a laser and requires no incision. The laser creates a small opening in the remaining back part of the lens to allow light to penetrate.
In Extracapsular cataract surgery, the conventional method, the incision measures around 11mm and needs multiple stitches for closure. It may also require a suture removal at a later date.
The circular opening of the lens capsule in phacoemulsification surgery as compared to the irregular opening in conventional cataract surgery results in better stability of the IOL.
The incidence of surgically induced corneal astigmatism is less with phaco surgery. So the patient may not need glasses after the surgery.
The quicker and less complex phacoemulsification surgery means that the patient spends less time in the hospital during and after surgery. It reduces the economic burden on the patients and family. As the visual functions recover faster in cataract patients, they can return to work earlier, as well. Potentially threatening sight-threatening complications like vitreous loss, cystoid macular edema, wound leak, retinal detachment, and endophthalmitis occur much less. Due to the increased safety and efficacy of the phacoemulsification surgery procedure than conventional ones.
The disadvantages of the technique are few. Moreover, they are mostly due to the cost and availability of the machine and instrumentation. In poorly developed countries, this is the biggest hurdle to its adoption.
If you are looking for the phacoemulsification technique or some other less expensive cataract surgery options, visit EyeMantra today.
Call NOW at 9711115191
Or you can mail at eyemantra1@gmail.com
Our other services include Retina Surgery, Specs Removal, Low Vision Aids, which can help in correcting your vision.
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