What are Cataracts ?
Cataract is clouding of the natural lens in the eye that affects vision. The natural lens lies behind the iris and the pupil and works like a camera to focus light onto the retina in the back of the eye and give us a sharp image. With age, the lens becomes cloudy and affects our vision. This is what we call “cataract”.
Symptoms may include faded colors, blurry vision, halos around light, trouble with bright lights, and trouble seeing at night.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure performed to remove this cloudy lens and replace it with a clear lens implant that helps to focus light clearly on the retina and allow restoration of sight. Following surgery the vision is much clearer and the need for glasses can be reduced or eliminated. Phacoemulsification is the most common type of small incision, no-stitch surgery used to remove the cloudy lens.
There are different types of implants that can be used during surgery. The appropriate choice of implant is extremely important in providing the patient with the best visual outcome. This depends on the patient’s needs and ocular health. Here is an overview on the different types of lens implants available:
Monofocal lens is the most commonly used type. Unlike the natural lens, which can stretch and bend to help the eye to focus, monofocal lenses can only focus at either distance or near. If you choose the lens that focuses at distance for example, then you will be able to see things clearly at distance but you will need glasses to read or see close up.
Multifocal implant is similar to bifocal or progressive lenses, which helps you see things at different distances. These lenses tend to give the greatest independence from glasses.
Toric lens is an option available for patients who have astigmatism which can make vision blurry at all distances even after cataract surgery. This lens reduces astigmatism so you won't need glasses to correct it after your surgery.
Combined Glaucoma/Cataract Surgery
Many patients who have glaucoma eventually require cataract surgery. There are ranges of surgical options for addressing both problems at the same time so that the eye pressure and vision can be improved simultaneously.
MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) are a group of less invasive glaucoma procedures that are particularly applicable for patients undergoing cataract surgery and allow for improvement in vision and glaucoma control. Patients with more advanced glaucoma, require an outflow glaucoma surgery like a trabeculectomy or drainage device implantation at the time of their cataract surgery.
The proper choice of which glaucoma treatment should be combined with cataract surgery is specific for every patient and requires a skilled glaucoma specialist.