The Decision To Operate
Modern cataract surgery improves the vision in about 95% of patients.
The presence of a cataract does not necessarily mean you need surgery.
The kind of work you do and the life style you lead are factors to
consider. An assessment of the rate at which your cataracts are
progressing is also important because cataract surgery is performed on
one eye at a time. We may recommend surgery in one eye while you still
have useful vision in the other eye. The general rule is when you no
longer are able to perform your usual activities as well as you need to,
then it is time to operate.
How your surgeon will treat your cataract
All surgical techniques involve removing the lens in some form or
fashion. Most surgeries to remove cataracts are done with
phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is an extracapsular technique
which uses an ultrasonic tip to liquefy the nucleus so it can then be
aspirated through a small incision. The cataract is contained in a
membranous bag referred to as the capsule. The purpose of the
extracapsular technique is to leave the posterior segment of the capsule
intact. The intact posterior segment offers several advantages over the
intracapsular method:
- Decreased incidence of some complications following surgery, such as
macular edema and retinal detachment.
- The use of posterior chamber intraocular lens. The posterior capsule
serves as a stabilizing anchor for fixation when an intraocular lens is
implanted.
Why YAG Capsulotomy may be necessary after cataract surgery
After cataract surgery, your vision can become cloudy, much as it was
when you had a cataract. Although this condition is sometimes called
"after-cataract", the cause isn't a new cataract. The problem
is a clouding of the posterior capsule which holds the lens in place.
Luckily, the eye doctor can usually restore your vision with a laser
treatment called a capsulotomy.
How the YAG laser works
A laser is a powerful beam of light that can be focused to a tiny point.
Because a laser light can be precisely controlled, it is safe and
reliable. For a capsulotomy, your eye doctor uses a type of laser called
a YAG. The YAG laser delivers tiny bursts of energy to create a small
opening in the membrane of the eye.
Your experience
YAG capsulotomy is done at our outpatient surgery center. The treatment
is quick and painless, you can usually return to your normal activities
within a few hours. There are no needles, no stitches and no risk of
infection. You will probably find that your vision is fully restored
soon after treatment.
Cataracts
are a common, but treatable, cause of poor vision. In fact, they are one
of the most common causes of impaired vision in this country. They can
occur in anyone at any age but most often affect the elderly as they are
a natural part of the aging process. Studies have shown that more than
half the people over the age of 65 have some degree of cataract
formation.
