Cataract is the loss of transparency of the lens, which is a natural lens that is located behind the pupil and allows the automatic focusing of objects. After 40 years, the lens loses flexibility and eyestrain occurs (presbyopia), and after 60 years, transparency is progressively lost, causing loss of vision.
The solution to this problem is a surgical intervention. Nowadays we have very advanced techniques that allow a quick visual recovery, even without glasses.
What does the intervention consist of?
With topical anesthesia (only drops) the lens with cataract is replaced, by an artificial lens (intraocular lens). The lens is aspirated, by phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens is implanted, through an incision so small that it does not require stitches.
There are intraocular lenses:
- Monofocals: allow a good vision from afar, without glasses, but reading glasses are needed
- Trifocals: allow to see in all distances without glasses
- Torics: These lenses correct astigmatism
Characteristics of the intervention:
- It does not require hospital admission
- Topical anesthesia, only with drops
- Duration of about 8 minutes
- It does not require injections
- It does not require stitches
- Without covering the eye
- Immediate visual recovery
- It allows reincorporation into daily life in 2 or 3 days
Advantages:
- In all cases, the dependence on glasses decreases, limiting their use to specific situations.
- We can eliminate the use of glasses, even for reading, if we implant a trifocal intraocular lens.
- Rapid, painless intervention with a very low risk index.
- The results are stable for life, that is, you do not have to change your glasses periodically as it happens in the natural evolution of presbyopia and cataract.
Cataract surgery provides a good quality of vision, with a high degree of satisfaction. Nowadays, trifocal intraocular lenses allow to significantly improve vision and do without glasses. At the preoperative visit, all the necessary tests will be performed and the patient will be explained which is the surgical technique and the intraocular lens most indicated in his specific case.
Ophthalmology Service / DR. F. Antonio Arguedas