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What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which can lead to
vision problems. The most common type of cataract is related
to aging. More than half of all Indians over the age of 60 will
have a cataract.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of a cataract are:
Cloudy or blurry vision.
Problems with light, such as headlights that seem too bright,
glare from lamps or very bright sunlight.
Colors that seem faded.
Poor night vision.
Double or multiple vision.
Frequent changes in glasses or
contact lenses.
Are cataracts found
only in older people?
About half of the population has a cataract by age 65, and nearly
everyone over 75 has at least one. But in rare cases, infants
can have congenital cataracts. These are usually related to
the mother having German measles, chickenpox, or another infectious
disease during pregnancy, but sometimes they are inherited.
How is a cataract detected?
Cataracts are detected during a comprehensive annual eye examination.
The exam includes:
a visual acuity test, to measure the ability to see at various
distances; pupil dilation, to allow the eye care professional
to examine the lens and retina; and, tonometry, a test to measure
fluid pressure in the eye. How is a cataract treated? In the
early stages of a cataract, vision may be improved with glasses,
magnifying lenses or stronger lighting. If these measures do
not help, surgery is recommended
What happens during
the surgery?
Cataract surgery is a same-day procedure which takes only about
ten to twenty minutes. The patient is given an intravenous sedative
and a topical anesthetic. The surgical procedure involves removing
the natural lens, which has become cloudy, and replacing it
with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant.
What about follow-up
care?
Patients are seen in clinic one day following cataract surgery.
The next post-operative visit usually occurs two to four weeks
after the post-operative visit.
What is a LASER cataract
surgery?
Laser cataract surgery is still under research. Therefore Laser
surgery is a misnomer, the surgery we do is called Phaco emulsification
cataract surgery and we use ultrasonic waves to emulsify and
remove the cataract.
When will vision return
after surgery?
Most patients can resume daily activities almost immediately;
however, vision may be blurry. The eye needs time to heal and
adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye. Follow-up
visits to the clinic are scheduled to evaluate progress.
Is cataract surgery
effective?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common, safest and effective
surgical procedures performed in Uma Eye Clinic. In over 98
percent of cases, patients who have cataract surgery experience
better vision.
What is the cost of
Surgery?
The cost of the surgery depends on the type of Intra Ocular
lens used. It generally varies from Rs 20000 to Rs 50000 per
eye.
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Cataract 