Cataract Treatment
Cataract is the progressive loss of the natural transparency of the lens, which is usually associated with age, and begins to be significant after the age of 60.
What is it
Cataract is a total or partial opacity of the lens that prevents light from passing to the retina clearly and that, consequently, produces a progressive deterioration in the quality of vision of those who suffer from it.
When this condition begins to manifest itself, the ability of the lens to focus on near and distant objects on the retina is impaired, to the point of causing a loss of visual acuity.
Cataract, which is usually associated with the natural aging of the eye, can also be congenital or can occur due to trauma or disease.
The progression of most cataracts is usually slow and gradual. In fact, in its initial phase, the patient may not have noticeable symptoms in the quality of their vision.
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However, there are several risk factors that can contribute to accelerating the process of cataract development, such as diabetes, smoking, previous eye diseases, eye trauma or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, among others.
Unoperated cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Antonio Amer explains what cataracts are.
SYMPTOMS
The first manifestations of cataract have to do with a decrease in vision that makes it difficult or limits the patient to carry out their usual activities. In these cases, you often experience cloudy or blurred vision of objects, the outline of which is not clearly distinguishable, photosensitivity, halos around light sources, a dimmer perception of colors, or a loss of night vision.
These difficulties impair the quality of their vision and lead to a deterioration in their quality of life in general. For this reason, from the age of 50 it is advisable to undergo periodic check-ups, in order to detect cataract in early stages and determine the optimal time to perform surgery depending on its degree of evolution.
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Cataract Treatment
To date, there is no pharmacological treatment to prevent the appearance of age-related cataracts, nor to delay or stop their development, as it is part of the body’s natural aging process. In other words, the cataract progresses irremediably over time and, therefore, the loss of transparency of the lens is irrecoverable.
The only definitive cataract treatment to effectively resolve the vision problems caused by cataracts remains surgical.
Laser cataracts
The arrival of the femtosecond laser has meant an important evolution in traditional cataract surgery, as it modifies and brings significant advantages to the technique that has been practiced since the 90s and incorporates outstanding applications to surgical procedures of the lens, such as cataracts and eyestrain.
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Intraocular lenses
The appropriate selection of the intraocular lens will depend on the ophthalmologist’s recommendation to each patient, depending on their needs and characteristics. In the case of opting for a single vision lens, the patient should know that it will only offer good distance vision, so they should continue to use glasses for near and/or intermediate vision, and that it will not correct presbyopia or eyestrain.
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Smart operating room:
The best technology to end cataracts
The Smart Operating Room is a great technological advance that has come to revolutionize eye surgeries and maximize their precision and level of customization. These objectives are achieved thanks to the interconnection between all the equipment involved in the surgery process, from diagnostic equipment to surgical equipment and laser equipment.
The intervention in the Smart Operating Room is fast, safe and personalized according to the specific needs of each person.
Through the Smart Operating Room, all the steps of the intervention are connected to each other:
- Step 1: Diagnostic tests. First, a series of diagnostic tests are carried out with state-of-the-art equipment, in order to collect all the necessary information about the patient and their ocular anatomy (corneal curvature, eye size, thickness of the lens, etc.) and to calculate the exact power of the intraocular lenses.
- Step 2: Automatic data transmission. The data collected is transmitted via Wi-Fi to the Smart Operating Room. This fact allows, for example, the exact calculation of the power and placement of intraocular lenses, reducing the need for subsequent reoperations and providing more effective, predictable and safer results.
- Step 3: Patient recognition and personalization of procedures. Once they have received the information wirelessly, the systems that make up the Smart Operating Room recognise the patient and act according to the particular needs of their eye, adapting and optimising the procedures in each intervention and offering “tailor-made” surgeries.
Thus, the Smart Operating Room constitutes a network of connected systems that acts as a guide for the surgeon. Thanks to this technology, procedures are performed with maximum precision and safety, obtaining optimal visual results for patients.
YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION STEP BY STEP
SOLVE CATARACTS IN 5 EASY STEPS:
STEP 1
Make an appointment
Phone: +34 971 73 00 55
Online form
STEP 2
Perform preoperative tests to determine the degree of your cataract and the optimal time for your intervention.
STEP 3
The ophthalmologist will explain the cataract treatment available and answer any questions.
STEP 4
Find out about our financing options without obligation.
STEP 5
Book an appointment for your speech and see clearly again.
Before your intervention
Do you already have a date for your cataract surgery?
In that case, the staff at our eye clinic will have already given you the guidelines for your pre-op for cataracts. Even so, you can check here the steps prior to your intervention, to prepare yourself before your cataract treatment:
- In the days prior to surgery, it will be necessary to apply anti-inflammatory eye drops and deep clean the eyelids, according to the instructions of your ophthalmology specialist.
- On the same day of surgery, eye drops will also have to be applied to dilate the pupil from one hour before the intervention.
- Eye makeup should not be applied in the 48 hours prior to the operation. During this time, face creams or perfumes should not be applied either.
- If you are a contact lens wearer, you should stop wearing them between 4 and 7 days before surgery, according to the instructions of your ophthalmologist.
- Any physical activity can be performed before cataract surgery.
- On the day of surgery, the patient is required to come fasting for 4 hours.
- It is recommended to go to the intervention with comfortable and loose clothing (it is important that it does not release any type of lint), and not to carry valuables or jewelry.
- If you are taking medication for other reasons, consult your specialist, so that he or she can assess whether it is necessary to temporarily suspend the medication.
After your intervention
Has your cataract surgery already concluded?
Under normal conditions, visual recovery after cataract surgery is practically immediate and reincorporation into daily life is possible in a few days. To ensure optimal results, the ophthalmologist’s instructions should be followed and postoperative precautions and care should be maintained:
- Cataract surgery is an outpatient intervention, which does not require hospital admission. However, on the same day of the intervention, it is recommended that the patient rest at home.
- During the first few days, some discomfort may arise, completely normal, such as blurred vision, a feeling of grit or eye redness, which will disappear.
- The prescribed eye drops should be applied correctly at the dose and time intervals set by the specialist.
- The day after the intervention it is possible to shower and wash your hair normally, making sure that soap does not get into your eyes.
- Creams should not be applied to the eye area within 48 hours of the intervention, nor should makeup be applied until medical discharge.
- Do not exert yourself or lift significant weights during the postoperative time.
- It is important to avoid bumps, falls, etc., as well as to be careful not to rub your eyes.
- You should avoid driving until the specialist indicates it. Yes, you can travel by any means of transport.
- During the postoperative period, it is advisable to wear non-prescription sunglasses outdoors to avoid exposing the eyes to solar radiation, in order to protect the eyes and increase the patient’s comfort.
- After cataract surgery, postoperative visits with the specialist will be necessary to monitor the patient’s correct recovery and eye health.
