What a cataract is
A cataract is common in people as they age, due to changes in the proteins of the eye's lens. Prolonged use of certain eye drops and inhalers can also increase the risk of cataract formation. The protein clumps cloud the lens and stop it sending clear images to the retina, and the cloudiness tends to increase over time.
Common symptoms include blurry vision, faded colours, halos around lights, difficulty seeing at night, frequent changes in glasses prescription and double vision.
To assess how a cataract is affecting you, a visual acuity test is performed and our eye surgeon examines the cornea, iris and lens for abnormalities. Cataract surgery may be advised depending on the severity of the cataract and its effect on your daily activities.
Types of cataract
Cataracts are categorised by where they form in the lens.
Nuclear cataracts affect the centre (nucleus) of the lens and usually occur with ageing. Reading vision may at first seem to improve, but this does not last. Over time the lens hardens and turns yellow or brown, hindering vision.
Cortical cataracts form at the edge of the lens, the cortex. They may look like wedges pointing towards the centre of the lens, and vision can become hazy.
Posterior subcapsular cataracts form at the back of the lens and tend to develop faster than the other types. They usually affect near vision and make it harder to see in bright light. Signs and symptoms can often appear within the first few months.
Congenital cataracts are present in infants. They can be linked to genetics or to illnesses during pregnancy such as rubella. They are usually removed by surgery, although surgery is not always required when the opacity sits outside the visual axis.
The procedure
Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. In some cases the cataract is removed without a replacement lens. The approach suited to you is recommended after a comprehensive eye examination at Spanish Eye Clinic.
Phacoemulsification. A small incision is made and a small probe is used to break up the cloudy lens. The fragments are suctioned out before the artificial lens is inserted.
Extracapsular cataract extraction. The clouded lens is removed in one piece through a larger incision. This is usually reserved for dense cataracts with significant vision loss.
Femtosecond laser-assisted surgery. A laser is used to break up the lens before replacement. The same procedure can be combined with correction of astigmatism by reshaping the cornea.
Replacement lenses (intraocular lenses)
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are made of clear plastic and come in several types. The choice depends on your eye condition and other factors, and is discussed with our eye surgeons before surgery.
Monofocal IOL. The most common type. It stays focused at one fixed distance, usually giving clear distance vision; glasses may still be needed for near work.
Multifocal IOL. Similar in principle to a progressive spectacle lens, a multifocal IOL helps with both distance and near vision. The brain may take several months to adjust. Halos and glare around lights are reported more often with this type than with a monofocal lens.
Accommodating IOL. A flexible lens that mimics some of the natural movement of the eye. People with these IOLs may be less likely to need glasses for reading or close-up tasks.
Toric IOL. Often recommended for people with significant astigmatism, where the cornea is more oval than round. It is intended to reduce the astigmatism and the need for glasses after surgery.
Key facts
- Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations worldwide.
- The procedure is usually done with anaesthetic eye drops only and without stitches.
- Surgery typically takes no more than 20 minutes and is usually comfortable, with minimal discomfort for most patients.
- You can go home the same day. Many patients return to their normal activities, including work, within a couple of days.
- Surgery aims to restore clear vision and to reduce dependence on glasses. Results vary from person to person, and some patients still need glasses for some tasks.
After surgery and recovery
Patients notice some changes during the recovery period. Dark spots in the vision are common and usually disappear within a few weeks. There may be slight itching, which can be relieved with a cool, moist cloth. We advise resting for up to 24 hours after surgery and ask you to return for a follow-up visit with your surgeon.
At Spanish Eye Clinic in Dubai, our experienced and qualified eye surgeons use current technology and will discuss with you what cataract surgery can and cannot achieve in your case.