CATARACT

Cataract is the leading cause of visual loss in adults 55 years and over.

Is your vision blurred or foggy?

Does your glasses no longer work?

Does colours appear dull?

Do you have decreased night vision or see haloes around light?

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you may have cataract , the clouding of natural lens.

The natural lens inside the eye located behind iris works just like the lens of a camera,focusing light images on the retina which sends images to the brain. When cataract develops the natural lens becomes opaque and partially prevents light from entering the eye and we start seeing objects blurred. Majority of cataract cases are due to ageing process along with other risk factors like exposure to sun’s ultraviolet light, smoking, malnutrition etc. Sometimes injury ,certain diseases and even medications can cause cataract. People with diabetes are likely to delelop cataract at an early age.

The best and only way to treat cataract is by surgery, wherein the clouded lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens thereby restoring vision. Cataract surgery has made great advances in recent years. The surgeon makes a tiny incision about 2.2 to 2.8 mm on the side of the cornea and removes the clouded lens with the help of a probe (Phacoemulsification ) and injects an arificial lens which snugly fits into theold lens position. The main advantage is, as incision is small healing is quick and recovery fast.