Statistics indicate that cataract is the leading cause of both congenital and acquired visual impairment. This condition occurs when a cloudy substance accumulates within the eye lens due to one reason or the other. Fetuses that have been subjected to chemical or physical trauma may present with the problem at birth. Before signing up for cataract surgery San Antonio residents need to know a number of important things beforehand.
Since cataract has a presentation that is similar to several other similar conditions, it is important that one visits an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for evaluation. The specialist uses special equipment to examine the eye and establish that the problem is indeed glaucoma and not any other. The next step is to assess the need for surgical intervention. Surgery may not be necessary if the condition is not causing significant visual impairment.
Candidates that meet the required criteria are taken through a preparation process. Part of this will involve getting a detailed explanation on what this procedure entails. The other important aspect of preparation is to undergo several blood tests to ensure that the surgical risks are not unnecessarily high. Phacoemulsification is the commonest technique that is employed here. In performing phacoemulsification, the eye is first numbed using local anesthesia.
Once the anesthesia takes effect, an incision is made on the anterior part of the eyeball (the cornea) just in front of the lens. The incision is used for the removal of the lens and replacement with a new one. On most occasions, the lens is found hardened by disease and has to be broken down using an ultrasound probe into smaller pieces.
The form of management that is adopted is largely dependent on how advanced the condition is. If the lens has been damaged to a large extent, it has to be removed in its entirety. It is then replaced with an artificial alternative made of a material such as silicone, acrylic or plastic. On the other hand, if the damage is not too much, the lens can be cleaned and returned to its position.
The good news is that many of these operations are not associated with any complications. Only 2% of them require medical attention due to complications once cataract surgery has been performed. In the short term, some of the complications that may be encountered include swelling of the eyes, excessive bleeding and infections. Administration of antibiotics and steroids helps reduce the risk of inflammation and infections.
The operation itself is quite straightforward and takes an average of one hour to be completed. Patients are usually released from hospital on the very day that they are operated on. Improvement in visual acuity is almost immediate and further improvements are seen in subsequent days and weeks. The optimal effect will be evident after about two months. Precautions should be taken after surgery to avoid causing injury to the eye.
Note that cataract may recur in some cases after some years. The recurrent condition is also called posterior capsule opacification or PCO. It comes about when the cloudy substance re-accumulates just behind the lens that has been replaced. Capsulotomy is an operation that is performed to correct this abnormality. It is a shorter procedure than the initial operation.
Since cataract has a presentation that is similar to several other similar conditions, it is important that one visits an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for evaluation. The specialist uses special equipment to examine the eye and establish that the problem is indeed glaucoma and not any other. The next step is to assess the need for surgical intervention. Surgery may not be necessary if the condition is not causing significant visual impairment.
Candidates that meet the required criteria are taken through a preparation process. Part of this will involve getting a detailed explanation on what this procedure entails. The other important aspect of preparation is to undergo several blood tests to ensure that the surgical risks are not unnecessarily high. Phacoemulsification is the commonest technique that is employed here. In performing phacoemulsification, the eye is first numbed using local anesthesia.
Once the anesthesia takes effect, an incision is made on the anterior part of the eyeball (the cornea) just in front of the lens. The incision is used for the removal of the lens and replacement with a new one. On most occasions, the lens is found hardened by disease and has to be broken down using an ultrasound probe into smaller pieces.
The form of management that is adopted is largely dependent on how advanced the condition is. If the lens has been damaged to a large extent, it has to be removed in its entirety. It is then replaced with an artificial alternative made of a material such as silicone, acrylic or plastic. On the other hand, if the damage is not too much, the lens can be cleaned and returned to its position.
The good news is that many of these operations are not associated with any complications. Only 2% of them require medical attention due to complications once cataract surgery has been performed. In the short term, some of the complications that may be encountered include swelling of the eyes, excessive bleeding and infections. Administration of antibiotics and steroids helps reduce the risk of inflammation and infections.
The operation itself is quite straightforward and takes an average of one hour to be completed. Patients are usually released from hospital on the very day that they are operated on. Improvement in visual acuity is almost immediate and further improvements are seen in subsequent days and weeks. The optimal effect will be evident after about two months. Precautions should be taken after surgery to avoid causing injury to the eye.
Note that cataract may recur in some cases after some years. The recurrent condition is also called posterior capsule opacification or PCO. It comes about when the cloudy substance re-accumulates just behind the lens that has been replaced. Capsulotomy is an operation that is performed to correct this abnormality. It is a shorter procedure than the initial operation.
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