Cataracts are a common cause of blindness. The majority of cases are the result of the natural aging process. Others are acquired congenitally (present at birth) or through chemical or physical eye injury. The main presenting complaint among those affected is cloudiness of vision that is, in many cases, progressive. There are several things on cataract surgery Los Angeles residents need to know if struggling with the condition.
The aim of the surgery is to remove the clouded eye lens and clean or to replace it in its entirety with an artificial one. The latter option is the more common of the two procedures. The main technique that is employed in the operation is known as phacoemulsification (or incision cataract surgery). By making a small cut (incision in the lens), the hardened center is liquefied and vacuumed out.
The procedure is usually performed in the outpatient as a day case. This means that you can go home on the same day of the operation. On average it lasts between thirty minutes to an hour. Local anesthesia in the form of eye drops is administered onto the eyes to help numb the pain. The advantage of this is that you remain awake during the procedure. General anesthesia is rarely needed for this kind of operation.
There are a number of trends that exist in these operations. Among them is the use of laser in operating. The laser is being used for creating the incision on the cornea and is being considered as a replacement of the surgical blade. This is because it gives more precise margins when used. The other use of the laser is in the breaking down of the hardened lens center, a task that has traditionally been performed by an ultrasound probe.
During the preoperative preparation, there are a number of things that have to be done. One of them is to confirm that the diagnosis is indeed glaucoma and not any other illness presenting in similar fashion. The other thing that the surgeon will do is to measure your intraocular pressure. A high intraocular pressure significantly reduces the chances of success. The pressure has to be controlled first before the operation is performed.
In general, this operation is safe. In rare circumstances, bleeding and infections may be encountered but these are usually quite easy to manage. Perhaps the most significant complication is a condition called posterior capsule opacification (PCO). PCO is recurrent cloudiness of the replaced lens which effectively results in blindness. Corrective surgery by laser is needed in such cases.
The benefits of this surgery can be experienced within hours of completing it. Maximal benefits are seen within weeks to one month and often require that one wears a pair of glasses. The specific benefits include better perception of bright light, increased visual acuity and greater ease of differentiating colored objects. The patient usually has to have some eye drops for at least three days after they have been operated on.
Not all patients with this problem need to be subjected to an operation. If there is only minimal impairment of vision, then surgery will not bring much change. The ideal candidate is one whose quality of life has been markedly affected. In case both eyes have to be operated, the surgeries are scheduled to take place several weeks apart.
The aim of the surgery is to remove the clouded eye lens and clean or to replace it in its entirety with an artificial one. The latter option is the more common of the two procedures. The main technique that is employed in the operation is known as phacoemulsification (or incision cataract surgery). By making a small cut (incision in the lens), the hardened center is liquefied and vacuumed out.
The procedure is usually performed in the outpatient as a day case. This means that you can go home on the same day of the operation. On average it lasts between thirty minutes to an hour. Local anesthesia in the form of eye drops is administered onto the eyes to help numb the pain. The advantage of this is that you remain awake during the procedure. General anesthesia is rarely needed for this kind of operation.
There are a number of trends that exist in these operations. Among them is the use of laser in operating. The laser is being used for creating the incision on the cornea and is being considered as a replacement of the surgical blade. This is because it gives more precise margins when used. The other use of the laser is in the breaking down of the hardened lens center, a task that has traditionally been performed by an ultrasound probe.
During the preoperative preparation, there are a number of things that have to be done. One of them is to confirm that the diagnosis is indeed glaucoma and not any other illness presenting in similar fashion. The other thing that the surgeon will do is to measure your intraocular pressure. A high intraocular pressure significantly reduces the chances of success. The pressure has to be controlled first before the operation is performed.
In general, this operation is safe. In rare circumstances, bleeding and infections may be encountered but these are usually quite easy to manage. Perhaps the most significant complication is a condition called posterior capsule opacification (PCO). PCO is recurrent cloudiness of the replaced lens which effectively results in blindness. Corrective surgery by laser is needed in such cases.
The benefits of this surgery can be experienced within hours of completing it. Maximal benefits are seen within weeks to one month and often require that one wears a pair of glasses. The specific benefits include better perception of bright light, increased visual acuity and greater ease of differentiating colored objects. The patient usually has to have some eye drops for at least three days after they have been operated on.
Not all patients with this problem need to be subjected to an operation. If there is only minimal impairment of vision, then surgery will not bring much change. The ideal candidate is one whose quality of life has been markedly affected. In case both eyes have to be operated, the surgeries are scheduled to take place several weeks apart.
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To undergo cataract surgery Los Angeles patients should first consult with our board-certified eye specialist. Make an appointment now through this site http://marshburneyecenter.com.
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