What are cataracts?
Cataracts cause the lens inside the anterior of the eye to become cloudy due to a buildup of calcium as the eye ages over time[1]. Smoking causes cataracts to develop more rapidly than normal. Over time these patches usually become bigger causing blurry, misty vision and eventually blindness.
How are cataracts treated?
Once a cataract has developed, surgery can be used to replace the clouded lens with a clear plastic one. Our anterior segment OCT, the CASIA2, allows consultants to gather detailed measurements and information to aid this surgery, so the new lens will fit perfectly, from the front to the back of the lens. You can find out more about the Tomey CASIA2 anterior segment OCT here.
Cataract surgery
Cataract surgery usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and the patient should be able to go home on the same day. It is performed under local anaesthetic. During the surgery, the surgeon makes a tiny cut in the eye to remove the cloudy lens by vacuuming it out and then replacing it with a clear plastic one, which is hooked into place through the same tiny incision.
If the patient has cataracts in both eyes, 2 separate operations need to be performed, usually carried out 6 to 12 weeks apart. This will give the first eye to be treated time to heal and vision time to return.[1]
References
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20cataracts%20in,your%20vision%20time%20to%20return.
