There are mainly two types of Cataract Surgery:
- Phacoemulsification is the more popular type of cataract surgery. More than 90% of cataract surgeries today are done by this method. Here a small 2mm incision is made in the peripheral cornea, and the cataract is extracted by a combination of suction and ultrasound energy. The surgery takes less than 15 min, and while patients may feel that something is going on, they rarely complain of pain.
- Femtosecond-assisted phacoemulsification Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery or laser cataract surgery is the newer method of performing cataract surgery. However, because there is no significant benefit to the patient, this technique has not gained popularity. There is also a considerable cost involved for the doctor and the patient. Here, instead of a blade, a laser is used to make the 2 mm incision. The cracking of the cataract also is done by the laser. Post the laser procedure, the patient is then shifted to the operation theatre, and standard phacoemulsification is done.
Cataract Surgery Recovery Time
With today’s treatment options, patients recover from cataract surgery very quickly. Gone are when patients were asked not to leave home for a month and wear dark glasses for a few weeks to protect their eyes from sunlight.
Most of the time, patients start seeing clearly the same evening of surgery or the next day. The minimum prick or poking they feel also reduces a day or two after surgery. By the 3rd or 4th day, patients forget that they have just undergone surgery.
The drops that patients should use continue for a month after surgery.
What to Expect after Cataract Surgery?
- The eye is patched after surgery and removed ten minutes later. Sometimes, there is no need for even this patch. The patient is given protective glasses and explained the drops to be used.
- The patient may experience blurry vision for most of that day or part of the next day. There may be a slight foreign body sensation in the eye for a day or two.
- Usually, by the same evening, patients notice a significant improvement in vision. They typically tell us that everything is very bright, and the colours are very different from what they were used to. They also start seeing the subtitles of their favourite shows on TV. There is no restriction on watching TV or using the phone and computer.
- As the days go by, the vision continues to improve. Irritation, watering, and redness, if at all, disappear.
We instruct patients not to let water enter the eye for seven days after surgery. So no head bath allowed. This is to prevent eye infections from occurring. These are known as endophthalmitis.
Are you looking for a Cataract Specialist in India or especially in Mumbai?
Eye Solutions have one of the top Cataract Specialists in Mumbai. He has 15+ years of diverse experience as an Ophthalmologist/ Eye Surgeon. Dr Deepak Garg is the Cataract Specialist at Eye Solutions. Contact us now to book an appointment for cataract surgery in Mumbai.
We are focussing more on quality of life these days. It would help if you kept in mind that even though you may have an early cataract, it can still be treated. If your daily activities are hampered, then it may be a wise decision to consider undergoing cataract surgery, a very safe and quick procedure, so that you live independent lives, spend quality time with your grandchildren, and enjoy your travels.
9 Step process to undergo cataract surgery
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