Opacification of the lens in the early stages can be treated medically. At a protracted stage, image distortion occurs and vision is reduced. In this case, the only solution is to remove the cataract. If surgical intervention is performed by an experienced doctor, and all the prescriptions are observed, the recovery occurs quickly.
How is cataract removed?
In medical practice conservative methods of struggle against such pathological condition are used. Methods of conducting operations to remove cataracts depend on the characteristics of the disease. There are such types of surgical manipulations:
- Ultrasonic phacoemulsification. This is the most reliable method of cataract removal. It is used at the initial stage of development of pathology. A small (3 mm) incision is made on the cornea, through which all further manipulations are performed.
- Laser. A tool is inserted through the micro-cut on the cornea. The beam destroys the damaged area of the lens.
- Extracapsular extraction. This operation is more traumatic than laser surgery. After a 10-mm cut, the core is removed, the crystal sac is cleaned and the implant is inserted.
- Intracapsular extraction. The lens and capsule are removed, and the implant is fixed in that place.
Ultrasonic Cataract Surgery
To perform this procedure, you do not need to wait until the ailment "ripens". This process can be delayed for a long period, and the patient's life will be filled with unpleasant changes: it is impossible to work fully, get behind the wheel and perform other actions. In the root will change the entire operation to remove cataracts. It has advantageous advantages:
- security;
- painlessness (performed under anesthesia);
- little traumatic;
- short rehabilitation period;
- fast recovery and so on.
How to remove a cataract by a laser?
This type of surgery has many advantages and here are some of them:
- Cataract removal by laser - "knee-free" surgery.
- Control over the course of surgery is carried out by the doctor on the monitor, therefore errors are excluded. The screen displays a 3-dimensional model of the eye.
- Greater accuracy (up to 1 micron): no experienced surgeon can achieve this with his own hands. The laser gently moves the tissue apart. This section is self-sealing and quickly tightened. Even a circular cutout can be performed by the laser.
- Provides reliable fixation of the artificial lens and stable centralization. This result persists for many years.
Contraindications for cataract surgery
The surgical struggle with the turbid lens is in some cases prohibited. Although the removal of cataract in the elderly gives an excellent result, we must not forget about contraindications. Among them are such ailments:
- infectious diseases;
- hemophilia;
- onkozabolevanija an eye;
- ischemic disease;
- hypertension;
- a small period of time after a stroke (less than six months).
Can I remove cataract in diabetes mellitus?
Such manipulation has been successfully carried out for many years. However, for an operation to remove cataracts in diabetes without complications, it should be performed only with a stable glucose index. Since with this disease the damage to the lens develops more rapidly than in other people, it is impossible to remain with surgical intervention. This can result in a complete loss of vision.
How to prepare for an operation to remove cataracts?
Any surgical intervention provides for a thorough examination. The following studies should be carried out:
- the analysis of a blood (developed, on RW, on a hepatitis);
- ECG;
- Analysis of urine.
All results are valid no more than a calendar month from the date of delivery. The ECG should be performed 2 weeks before the planned operation. The patient needs to undergo chest fluorography. If this examination was performed within the last 12 months, its results are valid, so there is no need for additional fluorography.
In addition, the preparation for an operation to remove cataracts includes obtaining advice from such doctors:
- Laura;
- endocrinologist;
- therapist;
- dentist;
- cardiologist;
- gynecologist (urologist);
- anesthesiologist.
Visiting all these specialists is extremely important. They will help to identify in the body an infection or inflammatory process. A timely predisposition to an ailment helps to prevent and avoid serious problems. The patient can not be treated lightly, since the infection hiding in the body complicates the rehabilitation period.
Also with extreme caution should take medication. The patient should always inform the ophthalmologist-surgeon about regularly taken medications. In addition, it is important to exclude a week before the operation of taking medications with anticoagulant action. Categorically prohibited during this period is the consumption of alcohol. The patient should be relieved of heavy physical labor.
Just before the cataract removal is performed, the following training is necessary:
- Wash your hair.
- Take a shower.
- Wear cotton underwear.
- Have a sleep.
- Nothing to eat since the evening.
- Whistle to a minimum amount of fluid consumed.
How is the operation to remove cataracts?
The strategy of combating the clouded lens depends on the method of performing the surgical procedure. If cataract removal is performed by a highly traumatic extra-capsular method, the operation is done as follows:
- The site is treated with an antiseptic agent and anesthesia is performed.
- A cut is made from 7 to 10 mm in length.
- The front capsule of the lens and its nucleus are removed.
- The "bag" is cleared.
- Installed an artificial lens.
- Stitches are applied.
When the cataract removal is performed by the rarely used intracapsular method, the operation looks like this:
- Treat the skin around the eyes with a special bactericidal solution.
- Anesthetize.
- Perform a wide incision, as a result of which the edge of the crystalline lens should be exposed.
- The tip of the cryoextract is brought to the operated site and the tissue is "attracted" to it.
- Remove the damaged lens through the incision.
- Using this hole, an implant is inserted and fixed.
- Seal the incision.
Ultrasonic surgery is considered a "gold standard". It proceeds as follows:
- Antiseptic treatment of the skin is performed and local anesthesia is applied (drip is used more often).
- A small incision is made on the cornea (about 3 mm).
- Capsulorhexis is under way.
- Introduced into the cavity of a special fluid, which should reduce the stability of the lens.
- It is being crushed and deleted.
- Intraocular lens installation.
- Sealing the hole.
How an operation is performed to remove cataract by a laser device is somewhat different from previous methods. Such surgical intervention is carried out as follows:
- Perform disinfection of the skin and local anesthesia.
- A micronadhesis is made on the cornea.
- Capsulorhexis is carried out.
- An introduction is made to the anterior chamber of the fiber-optic elements.
- Ray destroy the lens.
- The tubes are taken out of the bag.
- Polish the back of the capsule.
- Install the intraocular lens.
- Seal the incision.
How long does the cataract surgery take?
The duration of this procedure may vary. The removal of cataracts with the replacement of the lens is done in 15-20 minutes. However, the doctor must have time in reserve, so that everything can be properly prepared for surgical intervention. In addition, after the procedure for the first few hours the patient should arrive under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
Cataract surgery - postoperative period
Recovery after extraction of the clouded lens directly depends on the chosen method of intervention. The entire period can be conditionally divided into 3 phases:
- The first week after the operation to remove the cataract with the replacement of the lens. There may be severe pain in the peri-ocular area and swelling.
- From 8 to 30 days. At this stage, visual acuity is unstable, so the patient should strictly observe a sparing regimen.
- 31-180 days after the operation. There is a maximum recovery of vision.
Restrictions after the operation to remove cataracts
During the rehabilitation period, the patient must strictly follow the doctor's prescriptions. After surgery to remove cataracts, you can not lift weights. In addition, physical activities are prohibited, as they provoke a jump in intraocular pressure and may cause hemorrhage. A similar reaction can be caused by thermal procedures, so it is better to refuse hot baths, saunas and baths.
Restrictions apply to sleep. It is impossible to sleep on the side of the eye that was operated on, and on the stomach. The length of the rest is also important. In the first few months after surgery, the minimum duration of sleep recommended by ophthalmologists is 8-9 hours. During the night rest the body is restored, so you should not neglect it.
Additional restrictions include:
- visual load;
- decorative cosmetics (you can use it from 4 weeks after extraction and very carefully);
- the use of alcoholic beverages;
- smoking;
- refusal of fatty foods, spices and pickles during the first month of rehabilitation.
Complications after cataract surgery
Even an experienced ophthalmic surgeon can not completely protect against negative consequences. After the operation to remove cataracts, such complications can develop:
- exfoliation of the retina (more often it is observed in diabetes mellitus);
- displacement of the inserted lens;
- secondary cataract;
- hemorrhage in the anterior chamber;
- edema.
Rehabilitation after cataract surgery
To protect the eye from external negative factors will help the bandage. It is applied immediately after surgery. To rehabilitate after cataract removal was without complications, the doctor prescribed medication. Eye drops with anti-inflammatory and disinfectant actions are needed for the speedy healing of the cornea.
If the patient is fully responsible for fulfilling the doctor's appointments, the rehabilitation process will not last long. After the operation it is important to visit the ophthalmologist on a regular basis. Such visits will help to identify at an early stage pathological disorders. It is important to eat fully during the rehabilitation period. The daily menu should be enriched with products with high capacity of vitamins A, C, E.
Operation to remove cataracts - consequences
More often negative complications after surgical intervention are noted in patients suffering from chronic ailments. These include diabetes, blood diseases and so on. Undesirable effects can also occur when operating the lens in the ripened stage. For such patients after cataract removal, frequent visits to the doctor are prescribed.