CATARACT SURGERY

Wednesday, 15 February 2012 22:54

The operation to remove cataracts can be performed at any stage of their development. There is no longer a reason to wait until a cataract is "ripe" before removing it. However, because all surgery involves some risk, it is usually worth waiting until there is some change in vision before removing the cataract.

The most effective and common treatment is to make an incision (capsulotomy) into the capsule of the cloudy lens to surgically remove it. Two types of eye surgery can be used to remove cataracts: extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE).

ECCE surgery consists of removing the lens, but leaving the majority of the lens capsule intact. High frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) are sometimes used to break up the lens before extraction.

Intra-capsular (ICCE) surgery involves removing the lens and lens capsule, but it is rarely performed in modern practice.
High frequency ultrasound is also used for cataract surgery[40].

Procedure
First consultation and examinations
Second consultation and measurement fore lenses
Surgery, ambulance
First Control consultation, next day
Second control consultation, in 2 weeks