Cataract
Op. Dr. Mehmet Fatih Arslan
What is a cataract?
Cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its transparency, which can lead to blindness in advanced cases that cause blurred vision. The Latin word “catarractes” means waterfall. The frothy white opacity formed by the turbulent flow of the waterfall’s water has been likened to the sight of a patient with cataracts. Cataract is one of the most important treatable causes of blindness in the world.
What are the types of cataracts?
Cataracts are classified into four different groups:
-
Age-Related Cataract: The symptoms of this type of cataract, which is the most common type in society and occurs with age, increase with advancing age. Generally, approximately 50% of individuals aged 50-60 years, and almost all individuals aged 80 and above, have cataracts, albeit to a lesser extent.
-
Congenital (Congenital) Cataract: This type, which is seen in newborns, is seen as different pupil colors of babies or strabismus. If congenital cataract affects the baby’s vision, it should be operated as soon as possible. Otherwise, amblyopia (lazy eye) develops. Permanent vision loss is almost inevitable in those who do not undergo surgery on time.
-
Secondary Cataract: Secondary cataract, seen in people who have had cataract surgery before, is caused by fogging of the lens capsule. It can develop even years after surgery. Capsule fogging can be removed within a few minutes with laser treatment.
-
Traumatic Cataract: This type of cataract, which is caused by eye trauma, can occur with penetrating sharp objects or blunt eye traumas.
What are the causes of cataract?
-
Aging
-
Traumas such as eye injuries, glaucoma (eye pressure), uveitis (intraocular inflammation)
-
Long-term use of corticosteroids
-
overexposure to sunlight
-
Metabolic disorders (diabetes)
-
Not enought feeding
pathogenesis
The lens of the eye consists of specialized cells containing large amounts of cytoplasmic proteins. These proteins make the lens transparent. Unlike other epithelial cells in our body, the lens cannot remove inanimate cells from its structure; As these cells accumulate, the lens begins to lose its transparency over the years.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
Cataract development is a painless and progressive process. Patients often present with bilateral symptoms and complain of night vision problems (glare in car headlights, difficulty reading traffic signs and signs), and difficulty reading small print. Although the case of cataract is generally seen in patients over the age of 60, it is a condition that we can encounter at earlier ages due to some of the factors we mentioned before.
In patients, an increase in the current myopia can be observed, usually before the formation of the opaque image. This situation, which causes a decrease in the distance vision and an increase in the near vision ability of some patients, is called myopic shift. The main reason for this situation is the increase in the refractive ability of the lens, which loses its transparency and thickens over time.
How is the diagnosis and evaluation of cataract done?
Lens opacity, the type and hardness of the cataract can be confirmed by the ophthalmologist with direct ophthalmoscopy or biomicroscopic examination, which is the healthiest.
How is cataract treated?
There is no drug treatment and the only treatment method is surgery.
When should you have surgery?
When blurred vision starts to affect daily life, it is the best option to take the decision of surgery. Especially those who drive should not delay the operation. In severely delayed cataracts, an increase in eye pressure and permanent vision loss may also occur. While driving at night in patients with cataracts, oncoming headlights can cause temporary and sudden light distribution and cause accidents. For this reason, if you have been diagnosed with cataract, it will be the right approach to follow the surgery date that your ophthalmologist will determine at the most appropriate time for you. In particular, removing the cataract before it hardens increases the success of the surgery.
How is the surgery done?
It is an operation that can be performed without the need for hospitalization and allows easy return to daily activities. Approximately 1 hour before the operation, the pupils of the eyes are enlarged with eye drops. Just before the operation, the eye with cataract is anesthetized with eye drops. With the FAKO (phacoemulsification) method used, in a short time like 10 minutes; By entering the eye through a small incision, the cataracted part is melted and taken out by means of ultrasound energy, and then the intraocular lens is placed in its place. The duration of the operation may be shorter or longer depending on the experience of the physician. The fact that this procedure is performed with a small incision will help the patient to recover faster after the operation. Although the process of returning to daily life varies according to the hardness of the cataract, usually within a few days, patients can drive, watch television, read books, etc. they are able to do their daily work.
Trifocal (Smart) lenses
Trifocal lenses have been developed to minimize the need for glasses after cataract surgery. These lenses, called trifocal lenses, are lenses that have the ability to provide clear vision at close, middle and far distances. Thanks to these lenses, the patient’s need for near and far glasses after the operation is eliminated.
Things to consider after surgery
-
Never rub or apply pressure to your operated eye.
-
Do not lie on the side of your operated eye.
-
The operated eye should not come into contact with water and soap.
-
Avoid heavy bodily movements.
-
Do not drive without your doctor’s approval.
-
Do not delay your post-operative check-ups. (Day 1, Day 3, Week 1, Month 1)
-
Use the drops given by your doctor regularly.
What is a cataract?
Cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye loses its transparency, which can lead to blindness in advanced cases that cause blurred vision. The Latin word “catarractes” means waterfall. The frothy white opacity formed by the turbulent flow of the waterfall’s water has been likened to the sight of a patient with cataracts. Cataract is one of the most important treatable causes of blindness in the world.
What are the types of cataracts?
Cataracts are classified into four different groups:
-
Age-Related Cataract: The symptoms of this type of cataract, which is the most common type in society and occurs with age, increase with advancing age. Generally, approximately 50% of individuals aged 50-60 years, and almost all individuals aged 80 and above, have cataracts, albeit to a lesser extent.
-
Congenital (Congenital) Cataract: This type, which is seen in newborns, is seen as different pupil colors of babies or strabismus. If congenital cataract affects the baby’s vision, it should be operated as soon as possible. Otherwise, amblyopia (lazy eye) develops. Permanent vision loss is almost inevitable in those who do not undergo surgery on time.
-
Secondary Cataract: Secondary cataract, seen in people who have had cataract surgery before, is caused by fogging of the lens capsule. It can develop even years after surgery. Capsule fogging can be removed within a few minutes with laser treatment.
-
Traumatic Cataract: This type of cataract, which is caused by eye trauma, can occur with penetrating sharp objects or blunt eye traumas.
What are the causes of cataract?
-
Aging
-
Traumas such as eye injuries, glaucoma (eye pressure), uveitis (intraocular inflammation)
-
Long-term use of corticosteroids
-
overexposure to sunlight
-
Metabolic disorders (diabetes)
-
Not enought feeding
pathogenesis
The lens of the eye consists of specialized cells containing large amounts of cytoplasmic proteins. These proteins make the lens transparent. Unlike other epithelial cells in our body, the lens cannot remove inanimate cells from its structure; As these cells accumulate, the lens begins to lose its transparency over the years.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
Cataract development is a painless and progressive process. Patients often present with bilateral symptoms and complain of night vision problems (glare in car headlights, difficulty reading traffic signs and signs), and difficulty reading small print. Although the case of cataract is generally seen in patients over the age of 60, it is a condition that we can encounter at earlier ages due to some of the factors we mentioned before.
In patients, an increase in the current myopia can be observed, usually before the formation of the opaque image. This situation, which causes a decrease in the distance vision and an increase in the near vision ability of some patients, is called myopic shift. The main reason for this situation is the increase in the refractive ability of the lens, which loses its transparency and thickens over time.
How is the diagnosis and evaluation of cataract done?
Lens opacity, the type and hardness of the cataract can be confirmed by the ophthalmologist with direct ophthalmoscopy or biomicroscopic examination, which is the healthiest.
How is cataract treated?
There is no drug treatment and the only treatment method is surgery.
When should you have surgery?
When blurred vision starts to affect daily life, it is the best option to take the decision of surgery. Especially those who drive should not delay the operation. In severely delayed cataracts, an increase in eye pressure and permanent vision loss may also occur. While driving at night in patients with cataracts, oncoming headlights can cause temporary and sudden light distribution and cause accidents. For this reason, if you have been diagnosed with cataract, it will be the right approach to follow the surgery date that your ophthalmologist will determine at the most appropriate time for you. In particular, removing the cataract before it hardens increases the success of the surgery.
How is the surgery done?
It is an operation that can be performed without the need for hospitalization and allows easy return to daily activities. Approximately 1 hour before the operation, the pupils of the eyes are enlarged with eye drops. Just before the operation, the eye with cataract is anesthetized with eye drops. With the FAKO (phacoemulsification) method used, in a short time like 10 minutes; By entering the eye through a small incision, the cataractous part is melted and taken out by means of ultrasound energy, and then the intraocular (intraocular) lens is placed in its place. The duration of the operation may be shorter or longer depending on the experience of the physician. The fact that this procedure is performed with a small incision will help the patient to recover faster after the operation. Although the process of returning to daily life varies according to the hardness of the cataract, patients usually start driving, watching TV, reading books, etc. within a few days. they are able to do their daily work.
Trifocal (Smart) lenses
Trifocal lenses have been developed to minimize the need for glasses after cataract surgery. These lenses, called trifocal lenses, are lenses that have the ability to provide clear vision at close, middle and far distances. Thanks to these lenses, the patient’s need for near and far glasses after the operation is eliminated.
Things to consider after surgery
-
Never rub or apply pressure to your operated eye.
-
Do not lie on the side of your operated eye.
-
The operated eye should not come into contact with water and soap.
-
Avoid heavy bodily movements.
-
Do not drive without your doctor’s approval.
-
Do not delay your post-operative check-ups. (Day 1, Day 3, Week 1, Month 1)
-
Use the drops given by your doctor regularly.
