A cataract is a disorder of the eye characterized by the clouding of the normally clear lens. This usually occurs as a result of aging, but it can sometimes be caused by an injury as well, if left untreated, the patient will eventually be unable to see with the affected eye. Surgery is used to correct this condition effectively. If interested in the prospect of cataract surgery San Antonio TX patients must discuss it with their opthalmologist.
This procedure is termed a "phacoemulsification" and is usually done with a local anesthetic. A surgical laser is used to make a small incision in the side of the cornea in order that an ultrasound device can be inserted which will emit vibrations that cause the diseased lens to disintegrate into tiny particles which are then suctioned out of the site.
In place of the lens, an artificial one is implanted. This type of lens is called an "intraocular lens" and it may be made from transparent plastic, silicone, or acrylic, and it requires no special care once it's in place. It serves exactly the same purpose as the original lens, to direct light onto the retina.
A cataract operation is typically an outpatient procedure, and the patient can return home shortly after. It is normally completed in less than an hour, and in most instances the patient remains awake but sedated throughout the procedure. Surgeons prefer to only operate on one eye at a time, so if the patient has cataracts in both eyes, two surgeries will be needed, usually several weeks apart.
Following the surgery, one can expect to feel some minor irritation, watering of the eye, and increased light sensitivity. Analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can usually help manage any discomfort, and the use of sunglasses is useful to shield the eyes from the sun when outside. Eye drops will be prescribed to help prevent infection as well. Simply resting for a day or so afterwards is usually all the recovery time it requires.
Improvement of vision should be noted in the patient the day after surgery. In a month's time of so, he or she will be prescribed new glasses and at this point the full extent of the improvement in eyesight should be apparent. Taking care to use all medications prescribed following surgery is important to obtain the best results possible.
Generally a lens implant is a permanent fixture that will last for the patient's lifetime and will not need to be replaced. Although rarely, there may be clouding of the lining of the lens several months or years after it has been installed. This happens as a result of cell growth in the membrane of the eye which surrounds the synthetic lens.
A simple, painless, in-office procedure called "YAG laser capsulotomy" is used to correct this issue if it occurs. This is carried out with a special laser device that removes the excess cell growth which is clouding the lens, which restores the patient's vision. It only takes a few seconds to do this procedure. A cataract cannot grow back once an intra-ocular lens is implanted however.
This procedure is termed a "phacoemulsification" and is usually done with a local anesthetic. A surgical laser is used to make a small incision in the side of the cornea in order that an ultrasound device can be inserted which will emit vibrations that cause the diseased lens to disintegrate into tiny particles which are then suctioned out of the site.
In place of the lens, an artificial one is implanted. This type of lens is called an "intraocular lens" and it may be made from transparent plastic, silicone, or acrylic, and it requires no special care once it's in place. It serves exactly the same purpose as the original lens, to direct light onto the retina.
A cataract operation is typically an outpatient procedure, and the patient can return home shortly after. It is normally completed in less than an hour, and in most instances the patient remains awake but sedated throughout the procedure. Surgeons prefer to only operate on one eye at a time, so if the patient has cataracts in both eyes, two surgeries will be needed, usually several weeks apart.
Following the surgery, one can expect to feel some minor irritation, watering of the eye, and increased light sensitivity. Analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can usually help manage any discomfort, and the use of sunglasses is useful to shield the eyes from the sun when outside. Eye drops will be prescribed to help prevent infection as well. Simply resting for a day or so afterwards is usually all the recovery time it requires.
Improvement of vision should be noted in the patient the day after surgery. In a month's time of so, he or she will be prescribed new glasses and at this point the full extent of the improvement in eyesight should be apparent. Taking care to use all medications prescribed following surgery is important to obtain the best results possible.
Generally a lens implant is a permanent fixture that will last for the patient's lifetime and will not need to be replaced. Although rarely, there may be clouding of the lining of the lens several months or years after it has been installed. This happens as a result of cell growth in the membrane of the eye which surrounds the synthetic lens.
A simple, painless, in-office procedure called "YAG laser capsulotomy" is used to correct this issue if it occurs. This is carried out with a special laser device that removes the excess cell growth which is clouding the lens, which restores the patient's vision. It only takes a few seconds to do this procedure. A cataract cannot grow back once an intra-ocular lens is implanted however.
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