What is a cataract?
Cataract is a disease that occurs due to the deterioration of the transparency of our natural intraocular lens, which is a structure that refracts the light in our eyes, resulting in complaints of decreased vision and deterioration in vision quality.
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Cataract is a disease that occurs due to the deterioration of the transparency of our natural intraocular lens, which is a structure that refracts the light in our eyes, resulting in complaints of decreased vision and deterioration in vision quality. Cataract, especially an advanced age disease, is a problem that can be easily solved with early diagnosis and correct treatment. Although cataract is more of an advanced age disease, it can occur at any stage of life, from birth to death. It is also called blindfold and white water among the public.Cataract cannot be treated with medication or glasses and the only treatment for the disease is surgery.
What causes cataract? ?
Our natural lens in our eyes has a structure consisting of water and protein. It derives its transparency from the special structures of these proteins. In order for light to pass through our retina, its transparent structure must continue. As water and protein structure changes with age, the transparency of the lens begins to deteriorate. As the amount of cataract increases, the deterioration in transparency increases and the patient's vision level and quality decreases.
The most common cause of cataract is old age. In addition, it is more common in cases such as diabetes, high myopia, intraocular inflammation called uveitis, radiation exposure, long-term use of cortisone-containing eye drops or systemic cortisone, long-term exposure to ultraviolet (sunlight) rays, a family history of cataracts at an early age, or eye trauma. It can also occur at an early age. In addition to these, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, cholesterol-lowering drugs Statin group drugs used may also accelerate the formation of cataracts.
Congenital cataract cases occur as a result of some infectious diseases experienced in the womb and some major metabolic diseases.
What are the symptoms of cataract?
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- While some cataracts do not reach a level that seriously reduces vision, some completely prevent vision. How a cataract affects vision depends on its size, density and location in the lens.
- Decrease in vision and blurred vision (see sample images). Although patients wear glasses, they cannot see well near and far, and they think that this is a problem caused by glasses. The problem is cataract.
- Sensitivity to light, glare
- Double vision
- Difficulty in reading
- Night vision impairment and distortion in lights (see sample image)
- Colors paleness and yellowing
- Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions
- Difficulty in driving
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of cataract is made by ophthalmologists through biomicroscopic examination. Findings of the disease on examination; It is opacity in the lens, swelling of the lens and changing color, becoming yellow-gray.
How is cataract treated?
The only option in cataract treatment is surgery. When cataract reduces visual acuity to a certain level, it must be treated. If cataracts begin to negatively affect the patient's professional functions or daily life, the disease can be treated even if it is at an early stage. treatment of the disease Postponement of the visit, especially in patients living alone since it is a disease of old age, may cause falls in the hip, etc. It causes fractures, hospitalization for fractures, the need for surgery, long-term sedentary life, and therefore the emergence of new problems. In addition, people with severely reduced vision experience dependence on others for the maintenance of daily vital functions.
In addition, if cataract makes the diagnosis and treatment of an existing disease in the eye difficult (for example, if it prevents the diagnosis and treatment of retinal problems due to diabetes or uveitis), early treatment is required. can be done. Again, if there is a cataract in the postpartum period, it should be treated at the earliest and most appropriate time in order to prevent the development of amblyopia and misalignment due to decreased stimulation. Again, in some cases, the presence of cataract causes eye pressure and cataract surgery may need to be performed early in order to treat eye pressure.
How is cataract surgery performed?
Cataract The surgery is usually performed without needles or anesthesia. Patient comfort is high and there is no pain during the surgery. And the patient can return home on the same day. The surgery is mostly performed with drop anesthesia called topical anesthesia.
In some special cases, anesthesia of the eye area with injections or general anesthesia may also be required (for example, patients with constant head movements, children, patients with poor mental functions, patients with a high fear of surgery).
Transferring the patient to the operating room, pre-operative preparation, performing the surgery and taking the patient back to bed takes less than 1 hour in total. Post-operative drops are prescribed and the patient is discharged. After a while, the patient's first check-up is performed.
Situations that prevent surgery; Having had a stroke or heart attack in the last 3 months. In these cases, surgery is postponed to the end of the 3rd month. Drugs that may cause problems during cataract surgery include prostate medications and blood thinners. These situations can be overcome with appropriate surgical methods, and no intervention is required for drug use.
Cataract surgery is a microscopic surgery and requires serious technological investment.
The most commonly used surgical method in cataract surgery is among the public. It is the FAKO method known as laser surgery. With this method, the cataractous lens is broken down and cleaned with ultrasound energy, and an artificial intraocular lens is placed in its place. The operation is performed through an incision smaller than 2 mm.
With the introduction of femtosecond laser technology in the eye field, this technology has begun to be used in some stages of cataract surgery. The steps of opening the entrance to the eye, opening the anterior capsule of the lens, and disintegrating the lens can be done with the support of femtosecond laser. However, its use in the clinic is limited due to its high cost and experienced surgeons performing these steps of the surgery without any problems.
In cataract surgery, after the cataract is cleared, unless there are special circumstances for the patient (children under one year old, people with intraocular inflammation, etc.), An artificial lens must be placed inside. When a lens is not placed inside the eye, the patient must wear glasses with very thick lenses.
The characteristics of the lenses for the eye placed during the surgery
Depending on the characteristics of the lenses to be used, people can wear glasses for distance and near glasses after the surgery. They can get rid of their addiction. The intraocular lenses used for this are only far-focusing. There are bifocals that show distance and near clearly, trifocals that show far, intermediate and near clearly, and combinations of these three types that can also eliminate astigmatism. There are also lenses that have special color coatings that block harmful light from entering the eye. The choice of such lenses should be a joint decision between the patient and the physician.
Post-operative care:
After surgery, they should not put pressure on the eye and You should not rub it. Do things such as washing your face, taking a bath, carrying your belongings, praying, doing sports, starting work, going to the sea or the pool, etc., by consulting your doctor. The medications to be given after the surgery (drops, ointment, tablets, syrup, etc.) should be used as and for the duration recommended by your doctor.
Do not change, reduce or stop your medications without consulting your doctor. Be sure to wash your hands with soap before using medication. While applying the medications, the tip of the dropper or pomade box should not touch places such as eyelids, eyelashes, skin, hands, paper or napkins. Take your doctor's warnings carefully about the post-operative follow-up period and what to do.
Do cataracts recur?
Cataracts do not occur again in those who have undergone cataract surgery. During the operation, the transparent membrane in which the lens is placed may become thick over time. Although this is popularly called "secondary cataract", it is not actually a cataract. This formation can usually be easily treated with laser. In rare cases, it may be necessary to remove it surgically.
The light of your eyes can't be removed. Don't let it die! Stay happy, peaceful and healthy.
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