What is cataract surgery?

A cataract is the opacity, partial or total, of the crystalline lens. The crystalline lens is a lens located inside the eye that allows light rays to focus on the retina.

What symptoms does it produce?

  • No pain
  • Blurred vision
  • Glare
  • Poor night vision
  • Dull color vision
  • Frequent prescription changes

How is it treated?

Currently, the only treatment is surgery. There is no eye drop or medication that prevents or delays the appearance of the cataract. The patient should not wait until he/she has lost almost all of his/her vision to undergo cataract surgery. If so, it will be harder and the operation will be more difficult. Therefore, cataract surgery should be performed when the loss of vision interferes in any way with our daily activities.

How is cataract surgery performed?

Nowadays, the safest, fastest, most comfortable and modern way to operate on cataracts is phacoemulsification, with the implantation of an intraocular lens that will function as a substitute for the crystalline lens so that vision, without glasses, is quite good. Phacoemulsification is performed through a tiny corneal incision (1.7 – 2.8 mm). It consists of ultrasound aspiration and fragmentation of the cataract and subsequent implantation of a foldable intraocular lens. The duration of the surgery varies between 10 and 15 minutes and in most cases it will not be necessary to make a suture.

What does the postoperative period consist of?

This surgery is performed either under local anesthesia or only with anesthetic drops, so it is not necessary to be admitted to the hospital. The postoperative period is painless and the visual recovery is very favorable, so that you can return to normal activities in 2 or 3 days.