Cataracts

Cataracts, the clouding of the natural lens, are an age-related eye condition that occurs as a result of presbyopia. The natural lens of the eye serves to focus light and thus project a sharp image onto the retina. Due to the disease, the natural lens becomes cloudy and the quality of vision continuously deteriorates. Typically, cataracts occur from the age of 60 onwards, but they can also appear earlier or later.

The only treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens.

Healthy eye

Cataracts

The symptoms of cataracts

Vision without cataractsVision with cataracts

The following symptoms may indicate cataracts:

  • Decreasing visual quality

  • Impaired contrast perception

  • Glare sensitivity (especially in the dark)

  • Problems reading

  • Everything is covered with a yellowish haze

  • Grey haze/colour weakness

Treatment process

Examination

Before surgery, your eyes will be examined thoroughly. The main purpose of this is to identify any other diseases and special features of your eyes. You will then discuss with your doctor which intraocular lenses are suitable for your condition and which are best suited to your lifestyle. In addition to your screen and reading behaviour, leisure and sporting activities play an important role.

Preparation for surgery

Your doctor will provide you all the information you need for the day of the surgery in advance. The surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia, but also a stronger anaesthetic can usually be administered if necessary. An anaesthetist is always present in the practice or clinic when surgeries are performed. Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures worldwide and is associated with a low risk.

Surgery

During cataract surgery, the surgeon makes a tiny incision, only a few millimetres in size, crushes the body’s own lens and then removes it. The intraocular lens selected prior to surgery is then inserted. All in all, the surgery only takes a few minutes. It is an outpatient procedure and you can go home on the day of surgery. Please note, however, that you are not allowed to drive yourself on this day.

Follow-up checks

The first check-up takes place the day after surgery. As a rule, the next consultations then follow after one week and after one month. It is particularly important for the healing process that you always take or use the eye drops and medications prescribed by your doctor on time.

The different surgical methods

Manual operational
method

Within the manual operation procedure of cataract surgery, the clouded lens of the eye is surgically removed. A small incision is made at the edge of the cornea to gain access to the lens.

The surgeon uses fine instruments to carefully break up and remove the cloudy lens. An intraocular lens is inserted to take over the function of the natural lens. The incision usually heals without stitches as it is so small and the eye recovers quickly.

The ultrasound
method

The ultrasound method for treating cataracts, also known as phacoemulsification, is a modern and frequently used technique. The upper and lower eyelids are held separated by a lid speculum. Moisturizing liquid is regularly dripped onto the surface of the eye to prevent dryness. After local anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision about 2mm in size, which closes on its own and leaves no scars. The operation is painless thanks to the use of advanced techniques. The cloudy lens is broken up and suctioned out using ultrasound. The folded intraocular lens is inserted into the eye through the small incision and fixed in place.

The Laser-assisted
method

The femtosecond laser surgery method for treating cataracts is a precise and modern procedure. First, the eye is locally anesthetized. A femtosecond laser is used to make precise incisions in the cornea and open the capsular bag using extremely short und fast laser pulses. The laser also breaks up the cloudy lens into small fragments. These fragments are then removed using an ultrasound probe or a suction device. Finally, an intraocular lens is inserted into the capsular bag. This method offers high degree of precision and reduces the strain on the eye.

What would you like to learn more about now?

IOL overview
IOL overview

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Presbyopia
Presbyopia

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Astigmatism
Astigmatism

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Dry eye
Dry eye

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Astigmatism + presbyopia
Astigmatism + presbyopia

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