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By Root 9520 0

eye (the anterior chamber) to bathe and nourish nearby tissues and remove wastes. In chronic open-angle glaucoma, the drainage angle (the channel through which aqueous fluid drains from the eyeball) malfunctions and the fluid does not drain properly, causing the normal pressure inside the eye to slowly rise. If not controlled, this abnormally high pressure can permanently damage the optic nerve and other parts of the eye, causing vision loss and, eventually, blindness.

Cataract Surgery

Surgery to remove a cataract and implant a replacement lens is performed frequently in the United States, with a very high success rate—good vision is restored in about 98 percent of people who have the procedure. Cataract surgery usually takes an hour or less, and most people are able to go home the same day. If you have cataracts in both eyes, you will have two separate procedures performed on different days.

The two major types of surgery to remove a cataract are phacoemulsification (also called phaco or small-incision cataract surgery) and extracapsular surgery. Your doctor will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each type of surgery so you can make an informed decision and choose the procedure that is best for you. Before surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform tests to measure the curve of the cornea and the size and shape of your eye to determine the strength of the replacement lens.

Preparing for Surgery

The doctor will ask you not to eat or drink after midnight on the day of surgery. To prepare your eye for surgery, you will be given eyedrops to dilate the pupil, and the area around your eye will be cleansed. If you choose to stay awake during surgery, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb your eye.

Surgery

In phacoemulsification, the surgeon looks at the eye through a special surgical microscope and makes a very small incision (about 1/8 inch long) on the side of the cornea. He or she then inserts a tiny probe through the incision and into the eye. The probe gives off ultrasound waves that break up the cataract, which is then sucked out of the eye through a tiny tube. After the replacement lens has been implanted, the incision may or may not be closed with stitches. Most cataracts are removed using phacoemulsification.

Phacoemulsification

In phacoemulsification, the surgeon makes a small incision in the cornea and inserts a tiny probe into the eye. The probe gives off ultrasound waves that break up the cataract, which is removed from the eye through a tiny suction tube. In most cases, the surgeon then inserts a replacement lens in the eye. The incision heals on its own and may not need stitches.

In extracapsular surgery, the surgeon looks at the eye through a special surgical microscope and makes an incision about ½ inch long on the side of the cornea, removes the hard center of the lens through the incision, and removes the rest of the lens through a tiny suction tube. After a replacement lens has been implanted, the surgeon closes the incision with a few tiny stitches.

In both types of cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is usually replaced with a transparent, artificial intraocular lens. Phacoemulsification uses a folded lens that unfolds on its own after insertion. You cannot see or feel an intraocular lens, and it becomes a permanent part of the eye. In some cases, an intraocular lens cannot be used and a contact lens may be prescribed after surgery. In other cases, powerful eyeglasses may be prescribed.

Recovery

After surgery, a patch may be placed over your eye and your eye will be monitored carefully for signs of potential complications such as pain or bleeding. You will probably go home the same day. Your eye may be sensitive to light and touch and may itch and produce a sticky discharge. Your doctor will probably prescribe eyedrops or pills to promote healing and control pressure inside the eye and may recommend nonaspirin pain relievers (because aspirin may cause bleeding). You may need to wear protective glasses for a time and avoid sunlight and rubbing or pressing