Book an appointmentWhat is the cataract?
The cataract is the pathology that affects the eyes most frequently. It involves a progressive vision loss, when it prevents you from accurately performing the tasks of daily life, it must be operated. Cataracts are not in themselves a disease but a sign of the passage of time. If we arrive at 100 years of age, we would probably all end up operated.
The opacity of the lens, called cataract, is the leading cause of reversible blindness and decreased visual acuity in the world, and is the disease that affects the lens most frequently.
The crystalline lens is the natural lens of the eye, which directs light rays towards the retina, where images will be formed. In order for light rays to pass clearly to the retina, the lens must be transparent.
Our cataract surgery unit is made up of a team of professionals led by surgeons with a long history in this type of operation. In addition to obtaining excellent results, they have extensive knowledge and long experience in resolving the most complex cases that involve greater difficulty or greater risk. Whenever necessary, our unit works together with colleagues from other subspecialties with the aim of achieving the best results for the patient.
Our team also offers the best refractive solutions after cataract surgery to avoid the need to wear glasses, both for distance and near vision. In this way we correct presbyopia or long sightedness from age.
Why is it produced?
Age is the main factor for the emergence of cataracts: just as our skin ages, wrinkling, so does the lens, becoming opaque.
However, the cataract can also be produced by other causes:
- Trauma
- Previous eye surgeries
- Eye diseases (uveitis, high myopia (near-sighted), glaucoma)
- Metabolic diseases (mellitus diabetes, Wilson's disease, hypoparathyroidism)
- General syndromes (Neurofibromatosis, Steinert, Werner)
- Secondary to medications such as corticosteroids
- Of congenital origin
Cataracts are like this
How does it manifest?
Depending on the affectation of the lens and the evolution of the disease, any of the following symptoms may occur:
- Slow and progressive decrease in vision: produces a foggy sensation. Occasionally it can cause double vision.
- Glare, due to increased dispersion of light, with the sun or headlights at night. Patient with cataracts see better on cloudy days.
- If you are hypermetropic: easy to read up close without glasses.
- If you are myopic: worsening of distance vision.
- Altered colour vision: muted and reddish tones.
Cataract treatments
Cataract treatment is the surgery based on a brief intervention, painless and fast recovery.
Currently, the surgical technique for cataract intervention is phacoemulsification, in which the crystalline lens is broken up using ultrasound and then extracted. To complete the surgery, an artificial intraocular lens is implanted, which will act as a new lens.
Thanks to omiq’s incorporation of femtosecond technology, the LenSx® laser automates many of the manual steps in cataract procedures, resulting in more accurate and reproducible refractive cataract surgery.
However, ultrasound phacoemulsification technology continues to have better results, so the lensx® laser is used in very specific cases.
Prevention
It is not possible to prevent the cataract, since it is the product of the natural aging of a tissue, but it is possible to detect it through ophthalmological examinations, to determine if it should be operated, and when.
Through premium cataract surgery we remove the cataract while applying a refractive solution to eliminate the need to wear glasses.
Currently the technique of choice for cataract surgery is the so-called ultrasound phacoemulsification for the removal of the crystalline lens that has been losing its transparency, although laser technology has recently entered the scene to further improve the results.
Our cataract unit incorporates the latest technologies, including laser technology, to carry out this type of intervention. Our team advises in a personalized way and indicates the best option in each case.
Summary
Debut
It does not have a specific age of appearance.
Symptoms
Vision loss or double vision, glare, alteration of colours, improvement of hyperopia (farsighted) or worsening of myopia (nearsighted).
Revision
It is convenient to check both eyes periodically from the age of 45, to detect the cataract and decide the moment of the operation.
Prevention
A cataract cannot be prevented.
