Removing Cataracts: Ocular Surgery

A cataract forms in the eye as translucent to opaque film that blocks light from passing into the cornea and the rest of the eye. The development of cataract in the eye might lead to eventual loss of vision or blindness if left to progress without getting treated. There are no known preventive measures for cataracts, but regular intake of antioxidants like Vitamin A and C as well as wearing anti-UV rays sunglasses may protect the eyes and prevent cataracts from forming.

There are several reasons for the development of cataract in the eye, the most common being cataract resulting from old age, which is one of the leading causes of blindness among older people around the world. Other causes for cataract might be exposure to radiation and/or ultraviolet light; complications of other diseases like diabetes or hypertension and even genetic factors may affect the forming of a cloudy film over the lens of the eye. The cataract starts out as a translucent film over the eye that may turn opaque as time progresses. This will lead to a decrease of visual acuity and even the inability to see contrasts between shadows, color and even the shapes of the objects being viewed.

The usual treatment for cataracts, on the other hand, is to remove them by ocular or eye surgery using an ophthalmic operating microscope. This can be done in two ways: the extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE)entails removal of the lens where the cataract has formed. This is done by performing capsulotomy or an incision into the capsule of the ocular lens to perform a partial removal. Another method for removing cataract is the intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), which isn’t much performed nowadays and entails the complete removal of the capsule lens. In both procedures, the lens of the eye is replaced with a monofocal plastic lens. With the improvement of intraocular implant technology, it is now also possible for a cataract patient to obtain multifocal plastic lenses that would lessen their dependency on prescription glasses.

Cataract surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist or an eye surgeon using an ophthalmic operating microscope that would allow them to look at a magnified view of the eye while performing the surgery itself. Operating microscopes are equipped with foot pedals that would control the zoom function of the microscope ocular, which is especially useful for surgeons who need to have their hands free to perform the necessary corrections on the eye disease or disorder.

The use of a slit lamp microscope might also be helpful in performing ocular surgeries. A slit lamp is made up of high-intensity light that can be focused into a narrow slit onto the eye. This kind of operating microscope allows the ophthalmologist a stereoscopic or three-dimensional view of the eye and even makes it easier to accurately measure corneal thickness.

During the operation, which would be done with the patient under local anaesthetics, the ophthalmologist or eye surgeon would be using not only their hands but their feet as well to control the focus and illumination of the microscope. Some surgical microscopes also come with a teaching head that may be used by an assistant to view the magnified eye as well during operation. Some operating microscopes even allow for the attachment of a ccd camera.

With the improvement in the technology of the operating microscope, it is now quite easy for the ophthalmologist or eye surgeon to extract cataractous lens before it can cause loss of vision.