cataract, cataract operation, accommodative lens, IOL, artificial crystalline, intraocular lens, cataract operation, phacoemulsification

CATARACT

The eye consists of two lenses, the outermost being the cornea and the innermost being the crystalline. The crystalline, which has a biconvex flat shape directs light rays onto the retina and must be transparent to allow light to filter correctly onto the retina and the patient to see correctly. Cataract consists in opacity of the crystalline lens.
Several types of cataracts exist: :

congenital
post-traumatic
resulting from general illness
resulting from senile ocular illnesses

Normally cataract appears with old age, although more and more patients under 50 have this problem. Once cataract formation has begun, the opacity of the crystalline lens will increase progressively. Currently no medication exists which can slow this process. Surgery is the only solution available today and consists in extraction of the opaque crystalline which will be substituted with an artificial lens.


Symptoms

The first symptoms of cataract are the following:
- cloudy vision
- low eyesight
- trouble with lights
- halos around lights
- myopia or worsening of this condition


Surgery


Today's sophisticated equipment has made surgery very safe. Advanced microscopes are available and ultrasound equipment melt the opaque crystalline which is then aspirated through small 3mm incisions.
Two techniques are currently used:
-Programmed extra-capsule extraction
-Phacoemulsification cataract surgery

Programmed extra-capsular extraction

An incision of 6-12mm is made along the border of the cornea, then the anterior crystalline capsule is opened. The center of the crystalline is extracted through this incision and the artificial crystalline is inserted where the natural lens was originally. Finally, 10/0 nylon is used to stitch the incision. .