Standard Cataract Surgery

What is Standard Cataract Surgery?

C This procedure involves the removal of the cloudy lens along with the insertion of an artificial intraocular lens to take its place. There are several different types of procedures to remove the cataract.

 

 

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery

Phacoemulsification is the standard procedure where the cloud lens is removed through a small incision (@2mm) in the cornea.  A circular window is formed in the thin clear membrane (capsule) holding the cataract.  A thin probe is inserted into the eye which emulsifies the lens matter.  These tiny fragments are then aspirated from the eye.  Once the cataract is removed, an artificial lens implant is placed in the same capsular bag that the cataract previously occupied. This intraocular lens is essential to help your eye focus after surgery.

It is unusual to require a stitch in the eye at the end of the operation because the incision is so small it is nearly always self-sealing. Eyes that have a thin corneal wall (keratoconus) tend to be floppy and these do require a stitch to avoid wound sag and degradation of the expected visual outcome.

This procedure requires the use of anaesthetic around the eye and sedation and is often referred to as “Twilight Sedation”.  It tends to induce amnesia before and after surgery however, if you want to remember something, it is likely that you will.  This amnesia is the reason why we insist that you have a carer overnight before admitting you for surgery.  For a clear demonstration, please view the following link:  Why You Need a Carer Overnight.

Lens Selection: What sort of vision do you want after the operation?

Depending on an individual’s needs, there are several different intra-ocular lens options available to suit a various demands. The information below is a synopsis of options available to a patient. Consultation with a specialist Cataract & Refractive Surgeon is always required to ensure the patient is suitable for a specific lens type.

Single Distance Vision ( SDV) Lens Implants

This utilises a lens with a single focal point, usually set for distance in each eye. It gives good binocular vision over a useful range. If a patient is happy to wear intermediate and reading glasses, then this is the most common option and is usually the only option offered in the public health system.

Monovision

Two different standard lenses (one eye set for distance vision, the other set for intermediate distance vision), then this is a suitable option for those patients who may have had prior experience of it in spectacles or contact lenses. It breaks down stereopsis (3D perception) and you will still need reading glasses for fine print. In my practice I reserve this for those who have had experience of this naturally or in contact lenses, for most others tolerance is untested and cataract surgery is not the best place to first try it.  If one were to insist, perhaps a previous psychiatric will be required.

Micro-monovision (Blended Vision)

One eye is set for distance the other for an intermediate focus point. This is well tolerated as still provides some stereopsis (3D perception) and useful range of vision but you will still need reading glasses for all near tasks and occasionally for visual tasks performed at an intermediate distance. This is another very common choice and if the patient is happy to wear reading glasses, you have very happy patient indeed.

Accommodating Lens Implants

These are lenses move when implanted in the eye and try to mimic the body’s own natural lens movements. They aim to give good vision over a range of distances. In reality, because they move their resting point in the eye is more unpredictable and more people end up a little more short or long sighted than they bargained for. Additionally, most do not move enough and so you still need reading glasses for near. They also tend to move too slowly so there is a significant lag time ( speed of accommodation ) when you look from the distance to focus on something up close which can be quite frustrating. Others accommodating lenses move too easily in a bid to obtain more near vision and there are a few anecdotes that with a good sneeze one can apparently be left short sighted unexpectedly on the freeway!

Toric Lens Implants

Patients with high levels of astigmatism can utilise Toric Lens technology, which is designed to neutralise any astigmatism arising from the cornea. Toric lenses correct distortions in one particular meridian/ axis. They can be found in single distance vision lenses and in multifocal implants. Correcting astigmatism is the second most important optical correction impacting the quality of the unaided visual outcome after correcting defocus (how long or short sighted a patient is).

Am I suitable?

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