Description

Cataract surgery

Cataract, one of the leading visual disorders due to aging, it is one of the most common eye diseases
in the population. The human eye is one of the sensory organs most
affected by the aging process. The sense of sight can be affected
depending on age, as well as as a result of various environmental factors and
other physical processes. The pupil, which allows light to fall on the
retina, called the pupil, becomes smaller. The eye’s adaptation to dim light
and darkness is weakened. As the lens of the eye loses its flexibility
over time, the problem of near vision arises. One of the most common
age-related vision problems is cataracts. In cataract disease, the
adaptability of the lens, whose structure changes as it ages,
decreases. New fiber layers’ form around the lens. At the end of this
process, in which the lens nucleus undergoes physiological changes, various
stains occur on the lens nucleus.

There is no definite information that cataract is seen only in elderly patients, and
in general, cases in patients over 40 years of age are related to
age. Cataract is known as the disease that causes the most vision loss in
the world. At the onset of the disease, stronger ambient lighting and
glasses can contribute to the improvement of our vision. As the disease
progresses over time, it severely affects daily activities. The permanent
solution for the treatment of advanced cataract is the removal of the changed
eye lens and the placement of a new artificial lens.

What is Cataract?

Cataract, its task in the eye is to lose the transparency of the lens that enables us to
see the image coming from the outside by reaching the retina. Various
chemical changes occur in the proteins called crystalline in the structure of
the lens of the eye, located behind the iris, which forms the colored part of
the eye. These changes result in high molecular weight protein
aggregates. With this change in the texture of the lens, the eye loses its
transparency. The light does not reach the retina in a healthy way and
vision loss occurs. The main reason for this situation is that the
distribution of light entering the eye from outside is interrupted as a result
of staining in the eye and the image does not fall on the retina in a healthy
way. When blurred vision reaches a certain level, it should be
treated. As the disease progresses, adaptation to light slows down and
vision difficulties occur in dim light. If left untreated, the patient
becomes unable to perform daily activities. As a result, if we think of
our eye as a camera, we can see cataract disease as the icing of the lens of
the lens in front of the camera.

Our eye lens is one of the earliest aging
tissues. Even in people who do not have vision problems, near-sightedness
problems may occur at the beginning of their 40s. Thus, the need for close
glasses may arise. Afterwards, the risk of cataract formation in our eye
lens, which begins to lose its transparency from the age of 60, is very
high. From this point of view, it would be correct to say that cataract is
both a disease and a natural consequence of our aging. Therefore, cataract
surgery is one of the most performed surgeries in the world.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataract?

At the beginning of cataract disease, vision loss begins
with slight blurring, fading in perceived colors, and dispersion, especially at
night. In the advanced stages of the disease, both near vision and far
vision are severely impaired. For people with cataracts, vision is like
looking through a frosted or misted window. As the cataract progresses,
the blurred vision caused by the cataract makes it difficult to read, drive and
see details. Most cataracts develop slowly and the blurriness of vision in
the early period does not cause discomfort to the person. The general
symptoms of cataract are as follows:

difficulty reading

gradual decrease in vision

sensitivity to light

double vision

Fading and yellowing in colors

Frequent changes in eyeglasses

night vision disorder

What Are the Types of Cataracts? Who Gets Cataract?

Cataract, which is formed as a result of the change in
the structure of the tissue forming the lens of the eye and losing its
transparency, can occur for different reasons and can be seen in all age
groups. Cataract is generally known as a vision problem due to
aging. In the most general view, cataracts can be divided into three basic
types, but there are 5 different types.

Senile Cataract: It is the most
common type. It develops with age. It is a type that usually starts
after the age of 50 and may need surgery after the age of 60. Cataract
covers the entire lens and progresses very slowly. They cannot see well in
dim light and prefer a bright environment.

Subcapsular Cataract: It develops on the back of the lens, progresses faster than other types, and may impair vision
at an early stage.

Cortical Cataract: Cortical cataracts are a type of cataract that develops from the side of the lens of the
eye. Both distance and near vision are equally affected.

Congenital (congenital) Cataract: It is a congenital type. It is one of the most common
types. Cataracts in one or both eyes of the baby. It is usually
immediately noticeable. The main reason is infections and metabolic diseases
during the development process of the baby in the mother’s womb. These can
affect the baby’s visual system.

Impact Related (result of trauma) Cataract: This
type of cataracts can develop immediately after trauma or within years. It
is a common species. Uveitis can occur due to eye and eye trauma;
cortisone use or various reasons related to metabolism.

The disease can be seen in both eyes or in one
eye. It usually affects the vision quality of one eye more than the other.

Although cataract is a common eye disease in middle-aged people;

in diabetics

As a result of the processes in the mother’s womb in newborn babies

Eye traumas as a result of physical blows to the eye

eye diseases such as uveitis

genetic factors

Past eye surgeries

Prolonged exposure to intense light

It can also be seen in people in the lower age group who use cortisone drugs.

Risk Prevention

There are no proven studies that definitively show how to
prevent cataract disease or slow the progression of the disease. It is
thought that paying attention to some awe alone reduces the likelihood of
people getting cataract disease.

Get regular eye exams: Eye exams allow for early detection of cataracts and other eye diseases.

Know about your family’s eye health history: Genetic factors also play a role in the risk of
developing cataract disease. It is important to know the family history
for disease risk and early detection.

Get a healthy eating habit that includes plenty of fruit and vegetable consumption: Eating a fruit and
vegetable-based diet in daily eating habits ensures our vitamin and nutritional
needs are met. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help
protect our eyes.

Protect your eyes from external factors: Serious eye injuries can cause cataracts. Therefore,
you should definitely use eye protection for work that may pose a risk to your
eyes.

Use Sunglasses: UV light from the sun can contribute to the development of cataracts. Use
sunglasses that block UV rays, especially in the outdoor environment with sharp
light conditions in spring and summer.

If you smoke, definitely quit: Smoking is a factor that accelerates the aging of body
tissues. Quitting smoking is extremely beneficial for both protecting your
general health and reducing the risk of cataracts.

How Is Cataract Treated?

Most ophthalmologists recommend cataract surgery when
cataracts begin to affect a patient’s quality of life, preventing you from
performing normal daily activities such as reading a book or driving at night.

Because the definitive and permanent treatment
of cataract is the surgical method. It is not a disease that can be treated
with medication or glasses. There is no effective method to stop its
progression. The cataract surgery method is the FAKO method, known as a
laser, sutureless surgery. With the phaco method, the intraocular lens
that has lost its transparency is melted by ultrasound and a flexible
intraocular lens is placed in its place. Cataract surgery is performed
under operating room conditions and with special operating microscopes.

Another factor as important as the laser
technology used for cataract treatment is the technology of the lenses to be
placed in the eye. It is one of the main factors that determine the
treatment outcome for the patient. With surgical intervention, treatment
options are offered to patients where they can see far, near and both far and
near and medium distance. The operation is performed by choosing one of
the intraocular lenses suitable for the patient’s selection and general health
status. Intraocular lenses are divided into three: unifocal, bifocal and
trifocal. As a result of the use of trifocal lenses, patients do not have
to wear glasses as a result of the treatment.

How Does Cataract Surgery Happen?

Cataract surgery involves removing the natural lens,
which has a changed physiological structure and prevents healthy vision, and replaces
it with a transparent artificial intraocular lens. This new lens acts as
the next permanent part of the eye. Cataract surgery is performed
painlessly with local anesthesia. Patients do not need to stay in the
hospital after the operation. It is an outpatient treatment. Patients
can return home the same day. If there is a need for surgery in both eyes,
the second operation is performed after the first operation is healed. It
is normal to feel some discomfort in the first few days after
surgery. Full recovery usually takes place between 7-8 weeks.

Smart Lens Therapy

There is a natural lens inside the eye, this lens is
transparent and elastic. Every time we look near or far, this lens changes
shape and focuses on the point of view thanks to its flexibility.

As age progresses, this natural lens first loses
its flexibility. Cataract occurs in the eye that loses its transparency
when looking up close.

The lens that loses its flexibility in
cataracts, which occurs frequently after the age of 40; Since it is replaceable
with a new one, a smart lens (intraocular lens) is placed in place of the aging
natural lens. Trifocal lenses, also called smart lenses, are trifocal
lenses, there is no need for glasses after smart lens treatment.

With the new lens, your eye size will not
progress again. Cataract surgery is performed once and the treatment is
terminated in this way. After the smart lens operation, no more cataracts
occur in the eye.