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Normal
Cataract
Intraocular lens |
Cataract (
)
is a condition in which the normal lens of the eye becomes opaque
and does not let the light to pass through to Retina. Our eye is
like a camera. It has lens, an apperture-the iris and a
photographic film, the Retina. When ever we see - the light passes
through this whole setup and an image or a picture is formed on
the Retina. In cataract this lens becomes opaque as shown in the
picture and does not allow light to pass. So a hazy image or no
image is formed on the Retina. Thus a person with cataract can not
see clearly. The only treatment for this is - REMOVAL of
CATARACTOUS opaque lens and putting in a new artificial lens in
its place.
Over the time various evolutions have taken
place. Earlier the whole of the lens used to be removed. This was
called Intracapsular cataract extraction. After this operation
patient had to wear thick aphakic glasses which had its own
problems. Then came extracapsular cataract extraction, in which a
part of lens capsule was left behind; and lens was implanted on
top of this capsule.
Now the revolutionary phaco-emulsification has
come to stay. It has improved over the time and latest is phaco-
emulsification under topical anaesthesia or no-anaesthesia which
has totally'revolutionised the cataract operations.
WHAT IS PHACO-EMULSIFICATION.
Phaco- emulsification is the latest technique for removing the
cataractous lens. This is a technique of cataract operation with:
No injection
No stitches
No bandage
No admission
No elaborate dos & dont's
In this a small incision less than 3 mm is
made on the limbus and a small tunnel is made and a corneal
valve is made. Then a small circular piece is removed from the
anterior lens capsule by continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis.
Then after hydrodissection, the whole of lens matter is removed
by ~ phaco hand piece with ultra sound energy. All this is
precisly i. computer controlled. After cleaning the capsular bag
a new intraocular lens is implanted in its natural position.
This lens lasts the whole life of an individual. The patient can
go home right after surgery that is why it is called Drive back
surgery.
