Preparations before undergoing cataract surgery & bull; hello healthy

Cataracts are vision problems that can occur to anyone, but generally occur at an advanced age. Cataract vision problems can be caused by several things, such as trauma to the eye, chemical toxins, eye changes due to the aging process, and congenital nature. The goal of doing cataract surgery is to improve vision by removing the clouding lens in the eye. When you are sure to have cataract surgery, here are the things you need to know.

What are the preparations before undergoing cataract surgery?

The following is what you need to ask or know before doing cataract surgery:

A week or so before surgery, your doctor will do an ultrasound to measure the size and shape of your eye. This is done to determine the right type of implanted lens for your eye.
You may also be asked to stop taking some medications that can increase your risk of bleeding during the surgical procedure. If you are in the stage of taking drugs for prostate disease, tell your doctor, because some of these drugs can interfere with cataract surgery.
Use eye drops to reduce your risk of infection. The doctor will also prescribe antibiotic eye drops to use for one to two days before surgery.
As with certain surgeries, you will also be asked to fast before surgery. The instructions given you usually should not eat or drink for 12 hours before surgery.
Don't forget that you should wear comfortable clothes and bring sunglasses when you go to the hospital for surgery. Do not use perfume, cream aftershave, or some other fragrance. It doesn't matter if you want to use facial moisturizer, but avoid makeup and fake lashes.
Get ready for the healing phase. Usually, you can go home the same day after the operation, but you are not allowed to drive the vehicle yourself. So, make sure you are accompanied and someone will take you home after the surgery. The doctor will first look at your condition, if necessary, he will limit activities such as bending and lifting for a week after surgery

What is the success rate of cataract surgery?

You may be wondering whether cataract surgery went well or not. You don't have to worry. The average cataract surgery has a success rate of about 85 to 92 percent in adults with few complications and some discomfort. The risk posed is unlikely to occur, because only about 5% experience complications that threaten their vision, or require additional surgery. Even though the risk is low, cataract surgery still carries a risk of partial vision loss. An increased risk can also occur when you have certain eye diseases.

After surgery, you will need reading glasses, no matter what type of cataract surgery you are undergoing. Some people will need glasses for distance vision. Your eyesight will be retested after 6 months.

What types of lenses are given in cataract surgery?

Everyone who has cataract surgery will be given an artificial lens called an intraocular lens; lenses that can improve your vision by focusing light on the back of your eye. The lenses are made of plastic, acrylic and silicone. You may not feel the lenses after surgery. In addition, the advantage of these lenses is that they are permanent and do not require maintenance. Some lenses block ultraviolet light. The following are some of the types of lenses available:

Fixed-focus monofocal - this lens has single focus power for long distance vision. When you are going to read, you will still need special glasses for reading.
Accommodating, monofocal focus - although the focus strength is also single, this lens can respond to eye muscle movements, and alternately focus on distant objects as well as near objects.
Multifocal - This type of lens has a function similar to a bifocal or progressive lens. Different points on the lens have different focus strengths, some for near, far, and medium distances.
Astigmatism correction (toric) - This lens is usually intended for those of you who have cylindrical. Using these lenses can help your vision.

How is the cataract surgery procedure?

After you and your doctor discuss about which intraocular lens is suitable for your needs. The lens will then be folded up and inserted into the empty capsule where the natural lens should be. Eye surgeons will use the following methods to remove cataracts:

A procedure called phacoemulsification, the eye surgeon will make a small incision into the lens substance where the cataract is forming. The surgeon will use a device that transmits ultrasound waves to break up the cataract, and pull the fragments out. The back lens (capsule lens) is left intact to accommodate the artificial lens. You may also get stitches, or you may not get stitches to close the tiny incision in your cornea
Another procedure is called extracapsular cataract extraction. In this procedure, the incision will be larger than in the phacoemulsification procedure. The doctor will remove the foggy front of the capsule and lens. However, the back of the capsule will still be left where the artificial lens will be placed