Eye diseases and refraction anomalies
- Children ophthalmology
- Glaucoma
- Cataract
- Diseases of cornea
- Retinal diseases
- Retinal detachment
- Diseases of the optic nerve
- Intraocular neoplasms
A physician found cataract in Your eyes!
You have to know that you are not alone: almost one half of world population of age above 40 suffers from this disease.
However, the modern medical technologies help to fight cataract effectively. Millions of people every year are operated on for its extirpation and obtain ability to enjoy the colour of life again.
What is cataract?
You know already that a lens – it is a transparent organ. But sometimes its cloudiness occurs. Disease creating cloudiness of lens is called cataract.
Lens transparency changes prevent penetration of light beans into the eye and vision is impaired. Cataract can be spread in the whole lens or only in a part of it.
You know already that a lens – it is a transparent organ. But sometimes its cloudiness occurs. Disease creating cloudiness of lens is called cataract.
Lens transparency changes prevent penetration of light beans into the eye and vision is impaired. Cataract can be spread in the whole lens or only in a part of it.
There is a different opinion that cataract is a film, continuously developing and covering the eye. But it is not true. Cataract appearance is resulting in no reversible changes in the lens itself. Disease can occur in one or both eyes but is not transferring from one eye to another. Cataract development is not related to excessive vision workload. Its appearance does not mean that a threat of blindness exists for You.
Why does cataract develop?
Reasons of cataract development are different: it can be a trauma, nutrition disturbances of the eye tissues, related to the age, radiation impact, diabetes, certain eye diseases (e.g., glaucoma) or hereditary peculiarities of Your body.
Cataract develops most often during the aging process of the body, it results in increased lens density and its cloudiness. Such cataract is called aging cataract or senile. They can occur already at the age of 45. Cataract may occur also in childhood, then it is called hereditary.
Reasons of cataract development are different: it can be a trauma, nutrition disturbances of the eye tissues, related to the age, radiation impact, diabetes, certain eye diseases (e.g., glaucoma) or hereditary peculiarities of Your body.
Cataract develops most often during the aging process of the body, it results in increased lens density and its cloudiness. Such cataract is called aging cataract or senile. They can occur already at the age of 45. Cataract may occur also in childhood, then it is called hereditary.
Lens cloudiness after trauma can occur at any age. Strong hit, cut, stab, terminal or chemical burn can result in traumatic cataract.
Finally, diabetic cataract is especially separated that results as a complication of diabetes mellites. It is characterised by fast development of lens cloudiness in both eyes.
Symptoms of cataract
Depending on the size and location of the lens cloudiness You may notice – or opposite, You may not suspect that You are developing cataract.
If cataract is located in the periphery of lens, You will not feel any vision changes. The closer to the lens centre is cloudiness, the more serious are vision problems.
You may notice, that You do not see things clearly around, they are with unclear contour, especially in bright light. The image starts to duplicate. Fear of light occurs quite often. One eye can see better than another. The pupil, which usually is black, may become pale or obtain yellowish colour.
You may notice, that You do not see things clearly around, they are with unclear contour, especially in bright light. The image starts to duplicate. Fear of light occurs quite often. One eye can see better than another. The pupil, which usually is black, may become pale or obtain yellowish colour.
These symptoms develop and You have to change glasses often to stronger.
Diagnostics
Consult a physician! Only a specialist can determine if You have cataract.
Diagnostics
Consult a physician! Only a specialist can determine if You have cataract.
Examination is completely painless. A physician will examine Your eyes with the help of a special equipment in the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS) and will detect the type, form and localisation of changes in the lens.
Also vision acuity will be evaluated, non-contact intraocular pressure will be measured and vision field (computer perimetry) will be evaluated, ultrasound and electrophysiological investigation of retina will be performed during the diagnostics in order to find out possible concomitant eye diseases.
Also vision acuity will be evaluated, non-contact intraocular pressure will be measured and vision field (computer perimetry) will be evaluated, ultrasound and electrophysiological investigation of retina will be performed during the diagnostics in order to find out possible concomitant eye diseases.
Common blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram, chest X ray, consultations of a dentist, OLR specialist, and therapeutist (family doctor) will be performed during the period of preparation for the operation.
Success of the planned operation is related to absence of acute inflammatory processes and exacerbations of chronic processes in Your organism.
Treatment
The only way of cataract treatment – surgical extirpation of the cloudy lens. Do not believe in any drops, special glasses, diets or exercises, they will not help You to get rid of this disease.
Physicians of the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS) have a wide experience and the most modern equipment, assuring a positive result of the operation.
Do not worry and rely on your doctor. You will be able to return back to normal life after operation: to read, to work, to watch TV etc. Unfortunately, if you have concomitant diseases of the optic nerve or retina, the effect of the operation may be decreased.
Surgery
Surgery
Ophthalmosurgeons of the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS) will change the cloudy lens with an artificial, reliable and complete lens during the operation. It will work not worse than the original one.
There will be the chief ophthalmosurgeon, his assistant (physician – ophthalmosurgeon), surgical nurse and in case of necessity also anaesthesiologist in the surgery with You. Modern methods of local anaesthesia, used in the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS) enable to exclude completely painful feelings (the general narcosis is not allowed and is used extremely rarely, in cases of weak equipment of the operation room or insufficient training of the surgeon).
Extirpation of the lens is performed under a surgical microscope or under microsurgical system.
There will be the chief ophthalmosurgeon, his assistant (physician – ophthalmosurgeon), surgical nurse and in case of necessity also anaesthesiologist in the surgery with You. Modern methods of local anaesthesia, used in the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS) enable to exclude completely painful feelings (the general narcosis is not allowed and is used extremely rarely, in cases of weak equipment of the operation room or insufficient training of the surgeon).
Extirpation of the lens is performed under a surgical microscope or under microsurgical system.
The operation is performed as follows: after local anaesthesia and immobilisation of the eye a cut is done by microsurgical instruments.
Then the capsule (membrane) of the lens is opened and the clouded lens extirpated. Special viscoelastic agents are used to protect the eye tissues during the operation.
The most modern lens extirpation methods are used in the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS): phacoemulsification (melting of the clouded lens with the help of ultrasound equipment – an phacoemulsificator), with a following sucking of the remaining lens. The cut during such operations is so small that it is not necessary to sew it.
Then the capsule (membrane) of the lens is opened and the clouded lens extirpated. Special viscoelastic agents are used to protect the eye tissues during the operation.
The most modern lens extirpation methods are used in the EYE MICROSURGERY CENTRE (ACU MIKROKIRURGIJAS CENTRS): phacoemulsification (melting of the clouded lens with the help of ultrasound equipment – an phacoemulsificator), with a following sucking of the remaining lens. The cut during such operations is so small that it is not necessary to sew it.
In some occasions when phacoemulsification is not possible, the surgeon is using other methods for extirpation of the clouded lens – extracapsular extraction, phacofragmentation.
Kinds of vision restoration after cataract extraction
Kinds of vision restoration after cataract extraction
The eye becomes aphaktic after extirpation of cataract, i.e., there is no lens. It does not mean that You will not see anything. Have you ever opened Your eyes under the water? Approximately so looks like the surrounding world for the patient after extirpation of cataract.
You will be able to orientate yourself in the environment and to do simple activities. For vision restoration after cataract extirpation it is possible to use: glasses, contact lenses or artificial lenses (intraocular lenses, abbreviated IOL), which are introduced (implanted) inside the eye instead of the extirpated clouded lens.
Implantation of intraocular lens is the most effective mean of vision correction after cataract extirpation. It enables not only high vision acuity but also gets rid of discomfort feeling that is present during wearing glasses with thick lenses. In addition, implantation of an artificial lens relieves You from the necessity to buy contact lenses and means for taking care of them or expensive glasses.
You will be able to orientate yourself in the environment and to do simple activities. For vision restoration after cataract extirpation it is possible to use: glasses, contact lenses or artificial lenses (intraocular lenses, abbreviated IOL), which are introduced (implanted) inside the eye instead of the extirpated clouded lens.
Implantation of intraocular lens is the most effective mean of vision correction after cataract extirpation. It enables not only high vision acuity but also gets rid of discomfort feeling that is present during wearing glasses with thick lenses. In addition, implantation of an artificial lens relieves You from the necessity to buy contact lenses and means for taking care of them or expensive glasses.
Even after implantation of intraocular lens the vision acuity may be not ideal in some of the patients, it is related to concomitant eye diseases.
Artificial lenses for your eyes
Artificial lenses for your eyes
Intraocular lens consists from the optical part and supportive elements that support it in the eye. The intraocular lens is similar with a natural lens with its optical features. It is very reliable and may stay in Your eye for the whole Your life.
There are many kinds of intraocular lenses. The main of them – posterior chamber lenses, to be implanted behind the iris, fixed in the pupil. The surgeon will decide which type of them is most suitable for Your eye.
Optical power of artificial lens is chosen for each individual patient and depends on anatomical and optical features of the eye.
Additionally the physician takes into account the needs of Your profession and social conditions. If You drive a car, are fond of hunting or sports, such lens will be chosen that You will be able to avoid wearing glasses when it is necessary to look in far distance.
If You have to read and write much, the artificial lens will give you ability to avoid wearing glasses also with such kind of job.
In very rear cases of a severe concomitant pathology the physician can make a decision not to perform implantation of the intraocular lens.
Post-operative period
During the first days after the operation the surrounding things may seem to You somewhat changed. It is due to the widened pupil and in some cases due to the remaining sutures in the eye. When the pupil will narrow, You will feel improvement of vision but a few weeks after the operation Your vision will be restored completely.
There are many kinds of intraocular lenses. The main of them – posterior chamber lenses, to be implanted behind the iris, fixed in the pupil. The surgeon will decide which type of them is most suitable for Your eye.
Optical power of artificial lens is chosen for each individual patient and depends on anatomical and optical features of the eye.
Additionally the physician takes into account the needs of Your profession and social conditions. If You drive a car, are fond of hunting or sports, such lens will be chosen that You will be able to avoid wearing glasses when it is necessary to look in far distance.
If You have to read and write much, the artificial lens will give you ability to avoid wearing glasses also with such kind of job.
In very rear cases of a severe concomitant pathology the physician can make a decision not to perform implantation of the intraocular lens.
Post-operative period
During the first days after the operation the surrounding things may seem to You somewhat changed. It is due to the widened pupil and in some cases due to the remaining sutures in the eye. When the pupil will narrow, You will feel improvement of vision but a few weeks after the operation Your vision will be restored completely.
In rare cases the posterior capsule of the extirpated lens can be clouded after several months after the operation. The patient feels some worsening of vision in the operated eye. Such condition is called secondary cataract. There is no reason for worries: after an appropriate procedure with the help of a laser vision is restored within a couple hours.
How to use eye drops correctly
You will have to drop anti-inflammatory medicine into the operated eye yourself for one month and a half. Learn it to do it correctly!
How to use eye drops correctly
You will have to drop anti-inflammatory medicine into the operated eye yourself for one month and a half. Learn it to do it correctly!
Bend the head a little back during dropping the medicine. You have to look upwards. The lower lid should be pulled down, drop the medicine there. It is sufficient with 1-2 drops. Try not to touch the skin of lids and eyelashes.
If the physician has administered You several medicines, it is necessary to use them with a time interval of 20-30 seconds.
Recommendations for a fast recovery
In order to fasten the post-operative period and to avoid complications during it, follow recommendations of specialists:
If the physician has administered You several medicines, it is necessary to use them with a time interval of 20-30 seconds.
Recommendations for a fast recovery
In order to fasten the post-operative period and to avoid complications during it, follow recommendations of specialists:
· Try not to sleep on the side of the operated eye during the first two-three weeks after the operation.
· Do not rub the operated eye and do not press on it.
· When having a shower or a bath, avoid contact of the operated eye with water and soap. You may cover the eye with a sterile gauze napkin or an adhesive tape. Disinfective eye drops should be used after the shower.
· Wear sun protective glasses on the street.
· Try to avoid exposure of the operated eye to fast temperature changes: avoid sauna, a swimming-pool, a bath for the first three months
· Do not lift heavy things.
· Avoid physical job, especially with fast bending the head down, during the first three months.
· In order to lift something from the floor, do not bend yourself but squat.
· Eye cosmetics can be used not earlier than one month after the operation.
· Sports should be excluded completely for the first three months after the operation. With time You will be able to start the morning exercises, to swim, to jog an other physical exercises not connected with fast jarring and tension of the body (short distance running, jumping in the water, riding, weight lifting, box are excluded completely).
Cataract (question - answer)
P.: What stage of cataract maturity can be operated?
D.: There is an opinion that cataract should mature and many people before coming to us are using eye drops for years taking away themselves such comfort as reading books and watching favourite TV shows. Forget about eye drops! Make the right choice and the world will brightly smile towards You with a complete range of colours!
P.: What stage of cataract maturity can be operated?
D.: There is an opinion that cataract should mature and many people before coming to us are using eye drops for years taking away themselves such comfort as reading books and watching favourite TV shows. Forget about eye drops! Make the right choice and the world will brightly smile towards You with a complete range of colours!
P.: What are the differences of cataract surgery in Your clinic?
D.:Our ultrasound surgery manipulations enable to extirpate cataract of any disease stage. Minimal cut, modern equipment, the best artificial lenses manufactured by the world leaders, high qualification surgery – all this in short time and for a moderate price! But the most important, the variety of modern surgical technologies and wide range of artificial lens models will ensure the right choice for each individual case. Only for You!
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