Cataract surgery should not be delayed

Cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye, resulting in vision loss. After the initial clouding, in the very late stage of the disease, “temporary blindness” occurs due to complete clouding of the lens, which we should never allow to happen.

Despite the big misconceptions, it is not possible to cure cataracts with drops, glasses with a stronger dioptre or a special diet. Cataracts can only be removed by surgery.

The most modern method of cataract surgery is the use of ultrasound to eliminate the clouded lens and the installation of a specially designed artificial lens that remains permanently in the eye and enables the good vision that patients had before the cataract occurred. The operation is performed under drip anesthesia, is painless and lasts only about 15 minutes. Since a very small incision is made, no sutures are placed and the wound heals quickly, the risk of postoperative infections is reduced and the patient’s recovery is fast and comfortable.

When is the right time for surgery?

Cataract progresses individually, from several months to several years. Previously, there was an opinion that the operation should be waited until the cataract reached the final stage where the patient is no longer able to function independently. Since ultrasound is used in cataract surgery, patients are advised to do just the opposite. Namely, as the disease progresses, the lens in the eye becomes harder and harder to remove. Then it is necessary to use a higher ultrasound power, which can damage the surrounding tissues, especially the cornea. This type of operation takes longer, is more risky, and therefore the recovery is significantly longer.

It is recommended that the operation be performed when the problems caused by cataracts begin to make it difficult to perform daily activities : weaker vision that makes reading impossible and makes it difficult to watch TV, the appearance of glare when the weather is sunny, i.e. from headlights when driving at night, etc.

It is very important to emphasize that the earlier the cataract is operated on, the safer the operation, the faster and easier the recovery, and the more reliable the postoperative results.