Surgical Procedures
A surgical procedure is the only way to cure cataract. There are three surgical ways through which cataract can be removed.
- Phacoemulsification:
This is the most common surgery, which is used to treat cataract. Before the procedure the patient is given general anesthesia and eye drops in order to numb the eye and surrounding area. During the procedure a small incision is made in the outermost layer, cornea, of the eye, which then cuts through the membrane surrounding the lens. After that, with the help of an ultrasonic blunt probe, the degenerated lens is broken into tiny pieces with the help of ultrasonic waves. These pieces are then removed with the help of a suction device.
Now is the time for the implantation of the new intraocular lens. The IOL is then placed and positioned in the lens natural capsule. The haptics on the side of the lens keep the lens at a fixed position. The incision is then closed with or without stitches and the patient is allowed to go home after an hour.
- Extracapsular surgery:
Unlike phacoemulsification, in this surgery the lens is removed in one piece. This type of procedure is done if the surgeon is unable to remove the cataract with the process of phacoemulsification. But in order to do so, the doctor makes a large incision in the cornea of the eye. Before the procedure, the patient is given anesthesia via an injection into the eye. After the removal of the lens in one piece, the IOL is inserted in the natural lens capsule. The cornea is then closed with the help of stitches. This procedure requires more recovery time.
- Intracapsular surgery:
This surgery is used to remove the entire lens and lens capsule of the eye. With the removal of the lens capsule, the artificial lens has to be placed at a different location. Big incisions are made to remove the lens capsule along with the lens. This technique is only occasionally used these days. Several stitches are required in order to close the opening of the eye.