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Cataract surgery, diagnosis and evaluation

Cataract surgery, diagnosis and evaluation

Top Doctors
Top Doctors editorial
Top Doctors
Created by: Top Doctors editorial
Edited by: TOP DOCTORS® at 03/02/2019

Cataract surgery is a procedure to cure cataract, it is performed very frequently and has a success rate of over 90%. To carry out the damaged part of the eye is replaced by an intraocular lens with adequate power to give optimum viewing.

Dr.. Estela Dinora Garza Leal

cataract surgery Consider that surgery catara is one of the procedures most commonly performed with a success rate of over 90% and in which the risk of serious complications is less than 5% and has declined with advances in tools and surgical techniques.

On the other hand may occur as complications from mild echimosis retrobulbar eyelid or bleeding when anesthesia to inflammation of the cornea or transparent cover (corneal edema). Increased pressure in the eye (ocular hypertension), drooping eyelid (ptosis) infection in the eye (endophthalmitis), fluid retention in the center of the retina or macula (cystoid macular edema), bleeding in the front of the eye (hyphema), detachment of the innermost layer in the back of the eye (retinal detachment), including complications that can occur at some time after surgery and problems with glare or, worse, dislocated intraocular lens.

Probably the most common complication is the opacity of the portion of the lens cover (capsule) remaining after surgery, often called secondary cataract (posterior capsular opacification). This is generally not a big problem and can be treated with laser surgery.

In short, when complications of cataract surgery occur most are mild and can be treated successfully with medication or additional surgery. But although the risk is low, cataract surgery involves the risk of total or partial loss of vision if surgery is not performed correctly or if there are serious complications. Some complications can be treated and vision loss can be avoided, but others can not.

Diagnosis cataract

The diagnosis is easily confirmed in a query during the examination of the anterior segment slit lamp, a complete eye examination and preoperative evaluation is generally performed by a cardiologist or internist to check and assess whether there are reasons for not you must undergo surgery and identify any risk factors you may have, such as the use of alpha blocking drugs in some patients for the treatment of certain diseases of the prostate and the use of anticoagulants in some patients with circulation problems and whose use must be discontinued days before undergoing surgery, to name a few

Refraction also be carried out to determine precisely the amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness and / or astigmatism before surgery. Eye additional measures will be taken to determine the curvature of the cornea and the length of your eye.

These measures are essential to help your cataract surgeon by a study called intraocular lens calculation to select the proper power of the intraocular lens and ensure the best possible vision after surgery.

An intraocular lens for your needs

Today we have many types of intraocular lenses to choose from, depending on your specific needs. In addition to intraocular lenses that correct nearsightedness and farsightedness now there are theoretical intraocular lenses that also correct astigmatism. Often-time use reading glasses after cataract surgery with intraocular lens focal monkey is only needed, but might prescription glasses, which is determined approximately one month after surgery are needed.

If you are looking to be less dependent on glasses after cataract surgery, a way to correct presbyopia and reduce your need for reading glasses is that your cataract surgeon adjust the power of one of its monofocal intraocular lenses (assuming you have performed cataract surgery on both eyes) to give you a monovision correction, similar to monovision with contact lenses.

Another option is to choose one of a variety of advanced intraocular lenses to correct presbyopia and improve their reading vision without sacrificing their farsightedness. Among the intraocular lenses to correct presbyopia include accommodative IOLs and multifocal IOLs; both types are designed to provide a wider range of vision after cataract surgery conventional monofocal intraocular lenses.

Before cataract surgery, in addition to discussing the different types of intraocular lenses, you will be informed on what to expect before, during and after the procedure. This information - which can be presented orally, in writing, through a video presentation or a combination of the 3 things - is intended to help you make an informed decision on whether to proceed with surgery.

Ophthalmology