Treatment for cataracts
TREATMENT
FOR CATARACTS
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What is cataracts?
It’s the gradual opacification of the Crystalline Lens inside the Eye, which focuses light on the Retina. It is the most common cause of vision loss over the age of 50. In addition to reduced vision, cataracts can cause :
- A sensation of glare, for example, when driving at night.
- An impression of a veil in front of your eyes.
- Less vivid color perception.
- Double Vision.
What causes cataracts?
In almost all cases, cataracts are caused by the aging process. Other possible causes of cataracts are:
- Prolonged use of certain medications.
- Diabetes.
- Severe eye inflammation.
- trauma.
- Genetic causes.
LASER CATARACT SURGERY
Cataract treatment is exclusively surgical. Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgical procedure worldwide, across all medical specialties. In Switzerland, 25,000 cataract operations are performed every year, so one in five people aged 65 or over is affected.
The procedure is perfectly codified and the results are excellent. The opacified crystalline lens is aspirated and emulsified through a fine incision in the cornea. A transparent artificial lens is then injected into the eye, restoring sight and correcting refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism).
Benefits of treating
Cataracts with laser surgery
Laser cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, and patients can return home within a few hours after the operation. This is the latest technological advance in laser cataract surgery.
Incisions, correction of astigmatism (corneal deformity) and crystalline emulsification can be performed with a Femtosecond Laser instead of manually, which guarantees :
Better precision
Better efficiency
Better reproducibility of gestures
Types of implants used in cataract TREATMENT
During cataract surgery, the opacified lens is removed and replaced by an artificial implant. There are three types of implants:
Aspherical implants
The design of aspheric implants improves the quality of vision, especially in low light conditions (night-time driving, etc.), and enhances contrast perception.
Toric implants
Toric implants effectively compensate for corneal astigmatism, i.e. the curvature anomalies responsible for image distortion.
Multifocal implants
Multifocal implants mean that cataract patients no longer need to wear glasses for either distance or near vision, at the cost of reduced side effects which generally disappear after 2-3 months.
Frequently asked questions about cataract treatment
1. Is there any way to prevent/stop the development of cataracts?
Unfortunately, no. Currently, there is no way to prevent or halt the development of cataracts.
The only treatment is cataract laser surgery, which replaces the opacified crystalline lens with a transparent intraocular lens, with excellent results.
2. When is cataract surgery necessary?
Cataracts should be operated on as soon as visual discomfort begins to appear and progresses to the point of deterioration.
This discomfort could be :
- Reduced eyesight and difficulty reading, for example.
- Glare when driving at night.
- A veil in front of the eyes
- Less vivid color perception.
- Double vision.
Toric implants effectively compensate for corneal astigmatism, i.e. the curvature anomalies responsible for image distortion.
Correction of astigmatism during cataract surgery with a toric implant provides excellent distance vision and frees you from glasses in most cases.
3. What tests should I have before cataract surgery?
Before cataract surgery, a complete ophthalmological examination and biometry (measurement of the power of the intraocular lens to be implanted) are required.
Based on this pre-operative assessment, and depending on your wishes and lifestyle, we will advise you on the various intraocular lenses that can be implanted during the operation.
The surgical technique is exactly the same as for conventional implants.
Multifocal implants also require the eyes to be in perfect condition (no other eye diseases).
4. Is cataract surgery performed under general anaesthetic? Is the surgery painful?
No. Cataract surgery is performed under local anaesthetic and is painless. The patient remains awake, while medication is administered to calm anxiety.
General anaesthesia is reserved only for those rare cases where local anaesthesia cannot be used.
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