Cataract & IOL Services

Cataracts are cloudy areas in part or all of the lens of the eye.

In a young person, the lens is crystal clear and allows light to pass through and focus on the retina. Cataracts prevent light from easily passing through the lens, and this causes loss of vision.

Cataracts often form slowly and cause no pain, redness, or tearing in the eye. As the lens ages, the nucleus or center of the lens turns yellow and loses its ability to accommodate (focus for close work) although the lens usually remains clear.

As the lens continues to age, the nucleus turns from yellow to amber and ultimately to brown. This condition is almost universal in older persons. A cataract is not significant, however, until it interferes with vision. If a cataract becomes large or dense, it usually can be removed by surgery. Some cataracts stay small and don't change eyesight significantly.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

1. Patients with cataracts experience decreased visual acuity. There is more difficulty in seeing in poorly lit environments due to decrease in contrast sensitivity.
2. Many people experience increased sensitivity to light and glare. Print appears hazy and contrast is limited.
3. Approximately 50 percent of Americans between 65 and 74, and 70 percent over age 75 have cataracts.

Common Symptoms Include:

1. Distance vision can be blurred especially outdoors, but without any eye pain.
2. Double vision; seeing "ghost images."
3. Sensitivity to glare, such as the reflection of light from metal on a car, road or pavement, or fluorescent ceiling lights may cause glare.
4. Print appears faded and lacking in contrast and is difficult to read in dim light.
5. Colors appear faded or changed in hue, for example, a blue may seem to be a shade of green; white may appear gray or beige, and yellow may appear white.
6. Sunglasses may appear to reduce vision.
7. Frequent changes of eyeglasses that do not help may be an indicator.

Ways to Help Individuals with Cataracts

1. Use bright primary colors with high contrast.
2. Provide reading materials that have high contrast, such as large black print on white or light yellow paper, a minimum of 18 point. Bold 18 point print is very helpful.
3. If printing, use black felt-tip pens on white paper for highest contrast. Use white dishes on a dark tablecloth, place mat, or tray.
4. Adjust window shades to reduce direct sunlight.
5. Move the TV so that the sunlight is behind the TV and move chairs in the direction against the sunlight.
6. Wear sunglasses and a hat when outdoors on sunny days.

Treatment of Cataracts

1. Cataract surgery has a high success rate. Ninety-five (95) percent of patients experience improved vision if there are no other eye conditions present.
2. During surgery, the doctor removes the clouded lens and, in most cases, inserts a clear intraocular lens of appropriate power.
3. Cataract surgery is generally very safe. Complications do result from cataract surgery in approximately 5 percent of cases. It is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States.
4. Thick lenses after surgery are no longer needed because of the implanted lens.
5. Many people with vision loss can enhance their visual functioning with the use of low vision devices.
6. Low vision devices are devices which are stronger than regular eyeglasses, and include microscopic and telescopic glasses, lenses that filter light, and magnifying glasses.
7. There are also some useful electronic devices that can either be hand-held or placed directly on the printed page.

Cataract and IOL services cater to the major outpatient load of the hospital. It deals with patients of senile or age related, paediatric, traumatic cataracts or cataracts associated with other ocular conditions like Pseudoexfoliation, Coloboma, Glaucoma, Uveitis, Corneal Pathologies, etc.

State of the art procedures like

• Phaco - emulsification (with foldable/ rigid lenses)
• MICS
• SICS
• ECCE with IOL
• Secondary IOL
• Scleral fixation of IOL
• IOL removal etc are done here.

Treatment of medical problems and complications related to cataract surgery are also dealt with here.