Modern Cataract Surgery

Phacoemulsification Surgery

Today, most cataracts are removed with phacoemulsification (phaco). This procedure uses ultrasound energy to break up your cataract into tiny pieces, which are then removed with an aspirating or suction device. Phacoemulsification technology has undergone extraordinary improvements since its inception. Over the decades since it was introduced, instrument size has become smaller, and the amount of ultrasound energy used to disrupt the cataract has decreased. It is now considered a very safe procedure, and is associated with good postoperative results and many happy patients.

After your surgeon removes your cataract, he or she will put a prosthetic intraocular lens (IOL) inside your eye. Without this lens, you would not be able to read the eye chart, at any distance, because the lens in your eye bends light to help bring objects into focus. Once that lens is removed, something must replace the lost focusing power, and this is best accomplished by placing a new, clear lens inside your eye. The alternative would be to wear very thick glasses (aphakic glasses) or very strong contact lenses (aphakic contact lenses), as was done in the days of old. Although both these options help to restore vision, neither can produce the high quality of vision that can be achieved with IOLs. Intraocular lenses, once placed in the eye, stay there indefinitely, except in rare circumstances. You will not feel the IOL and you will not need to worry about putting it in or taking it out. It essentially becomes part of your eye.

Modern ECCE

ECCE is still utilized today in some cases, especially in third-world countries where phacoemulsification technology is not available. It is also used in developed countries in some cases of advanced or mature cataracts, where the lenses are dense. Modern ECCE has also been refined since its origination and can be utilized to restore visual function. Although the visual recovery is longer and patients tend to require stronger glasses prescriptions after surgery, they are able to achieve good levels of corrected vision following this procedure. This procedure tends to induce more astigmatism than phacoemulsificationsurgery because the incisions are larger. This is one reason why patients need stronger glasses following this surgery.

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