Cataracts
What is cataract?
Cataract is the presence of turbidity in the lens of the eye, this turbidity prevents proper penetration of light into the eye and therefore reduces vision. Most turbidity is caused by the aging process, but it can also be caused by diabetes and medications.Cataract is the presence of turbidity in the lens of the eye, this turbidity prevents proper penetration of light into the eye and therefore reduces vision. Most turbidity is caused by the aging process, but it can also be caused by diabetes and medications.
How is cataract treated?
Brief cataracts may not require treatment or the patient’s vision may improve by changing the number of glasses. Your optometrist may remind you of this. If your vision is so low that it interferes with your daily activities, it may be time for surgery.The eye surgeon will talk to you about this. It is a short and simple operation. In most cases, the opacity of the eye is replaced by an artificial lens. This lens does not cause pain and stays in the eye for a lifetime.
What kind of anesthesia is used for you?
It depends on your general health and opinion. An eye surgeon and anesthesiologist will share this with you. You may have general anesthesiaThat you are fully asleep during the operation. If you want to use local anesthesia, you will be awake, but the eyes and eyelids will be immobilized by injecting anesthetic around the eye.. The surgery will be completely painless. The injection blurs vision during surgery, which takes about 30 minutes.
How long will you be in the hospital?
It depends on the patient’s mental and physical condition and is often performed on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization.
After cataract surgery:
You can go about your normal life, but keep in mind that the sores in your eyes are delicate and you should pay attention to the following points: Drops: You are given drops that you have to put in your eyes for a few weeks.Details of using these drops will be given to you:
Always wash your hands before and after pouring drops.
Always shake the eye drops well before pouring them
The tip of the dropper should not come into contact with the eye.
Use the drops as long as your doctor recommends.
Take the drops with you when you go to the clinic.
Outpatient examination in the clinic:
You will be examined in the clinic for two or three days after the surgery. If all goes well, you will not need to visit again.
Postoperative pain or problem:
If your eye has pain or discharge or vision is reduced in two weeks after science, contact the eye department.
Cleansing the eyes:
Wipe the eyes if necessary. Close the eyelids and hold them on top with a paper towel.
Occupation, work at home, cooking and gardening:
Avoid lifting heavy loads and straining for the first two weeks. After that, you can resume your normal activities.Most people show up for work two weeks after the operation
Driving:
It is better to refrain from driving until the first examination of the clinic after the operation, and at this time, if your vision is sufficient, driving is not a problem.
At night :
For the first week, it is better to have the protection given to you on the eyes.
In the first days after the operation, your vision may be blurred.
Glasses :
After about two months after the operation, it is necessary to change the glasses of your glasses. You can go to an optometrist to have your glasses replaced.
Nutrition:
This surgery is not abstinence.
Cataract surgery in children and infants is different from adults. This operation must be performed under general anesthesia and lens surgery is performed after one year of age.
Attention :
Contact your doctor or hospital if you have any of the following symptoms:
1- Blurring progress
2- Progressive redness of the operated eye
3- Many tears
4- Progressive nausea, vomiting and cough
5- Trauma to the eye
Producer: Roya Amirsalari
Source: Brunner Sudarth Fourteenth Edition 2018 Book