When we think of eyes and surgery, we probably think of cataracts. With age our crystalline lens, a natural lens of our eye behind the pupil and whose function is to focus objects at different distances, loses transparency and forms what is commonly known as “cataract”, which is the opacification of the crystalline lens.
What problems do cataracts cause?
- Blurred and sometimes double vision.
- Discomfort when exposed to light (photophobia).
- Frequent changes in the prescription of glasses.
- Discomfort when driving at night.
- Improvement of near vision (myopia).
At what age do cataracts usually appear?
There is no defined age for the appearance of cataracts, although all people over 65 years of age have some degree of cataracts. In 2017, approximately 23% of the population aged 75-84 in Spain suffered from cataracts.
In countries such as Senegal, where we travel twice a year with our ophthalmological expeditions with the Rementería Foundation, we come across cases of very advanced cataracts in younger people (45-50 years old). In these cases the main risk factor is the lack of sun protection and the high exposure of their eyes to ultraviolet sunlight.
In any case, a solution can only be found with an outpatient surgical procedure that is so common that only childbirth surpasses it in the world.
What does the treatment consist of?
This intervention consists of replacing the opaque crystalline lens with an intraocular lens. These are lenses that go inside our eye, obviously artificial. Depending on their shape, in addition to solving the cataract, they will allow us to get rid of glasses or not. At Clínica Rementería we offer a premium treatment in cataract surgery with a lens that covers all the vision needs of the patient: he/she will be able to leave without the cataract and also see well up close (to be able to sew) at medium distance (to watch television) or at long distance (to see our grandchildren coming out of school).
In addition, we have a type of lens, the toric trifocal lens, which corrects the astigmatism problems that the patient already has. In other words, they correct the unclear vision of the outline of things caused by astigmatism. Indeed, another aspect that differentiates us in the treatment of cataracts is that our procedures are performed with femtosecond lasers. This gives cataract surgery the safety, precision and speed of the laser in the most delicate areas.
For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, contact a specialist in Ophthalmology.