Cataracts are the opacity or clouding of the crystalline lens that lies beneath the cornea, which is the clear dome, shaped portion in the front of the eye. The cataractous lens is removed and an intraocular lens implant made from plastic is inserted and left in the eye permanently. This surgery can be performed with only a local anesthetic and as an outpatient. If the cataract is left untreated it can cause the lens to increase in power causing myopia or nearsightedness. As it progresses over time there will be vision loss and possibly blindness. There are two forms of surgery to remove cataracts. There is the use of ECCE or Extra capsular Cataract Extraction where the majority of the lens is removed but the capsule is left intact. Extra capsular surgery is rarely used. ICCE or Intra capsular Cataract Extraction removes the entire lens and is most commonly performed.
For many facilities across the nation who perform lasik surgeries and custom cornea surgeries, cataract surgeries are being offered as well. It is advised to seek a professional doctor of lasik eye surgery or an eye surgeon association that is board certified with the American Board Of Ophthalmology. This ensures that you are entrusting your eye health to a trained medical professional and not just another quack with a laser. You want to ensure that the surgeon you choose is fully capable and trusted to perform this vision correction procedure. You want to do this to reduce the complications that can occur after surgery. Post surgery complications can include endophthalmitis, which is an inflammation of the internal coats of the eye that can cause loss of vision or the eye itself. Another complication can be posterior capsular opacification or retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is an eye disorder in which the retina, found at the back wall of the eye, peels away from underneath the supporting muscles. This case is a medical emergency due to the complete detachment and vision loss or complete blindness if left uncorrected. These complications increase the importance of finding a valid surgeon for the operation procedures for any eye surgical procedures.
Take some time to speak to a surgical professional in your area. Ask questions or bring up any concerns you may have about the surgery. Once you have a full understanding of cataracts and the surgical procedure that will provide you with the needed vision correction you can begin making your choice. Make sure you feel completely comfortable with your physician choice so that you can walk in and out of the office in confidence. Sight is a beautiful gift that we often take for granted. Thankfully we are all given a second chance to enjoy our sight with procedures such as cataract surgery. With the use of instruments and techniques that technology brings we are sure to see even better treatments for many ocular changes that are brought on through age, disease or injury. For now we can sigh relief knowing that cataracts can be treated and done so successfully today.
