Procedure for Phaco Imported Monofocal

What is Cataract?

The eye has a transparent lens whose purpose is to focus light on the retina from where the image is seen through the optic nerve to the brain. When this transparent eye lens becomes cloudy or opaque it is called cataract. The condition is a result of proteins in the eye lens forming abnormal clumps thus causing blurred vision. It is a part of the normal ageing process. It usually starts by the age of forty and intensifies as the patient reaches sixty. In cataract the decrease in vision is gradual and painless.

Symptoms of Cataract

Patients suffering from cataract experience the following signs/symptoms:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Double vision
• Fading of colours
• Seeing halos around lights
• An increased sensitivity to glare
• Problems due to cataract

Types of Cataract Operations

The following are the different types of cataract operations:

• Regular Phaco Cataract Surgery
• Micro-Phaco Cataract Surgery procedure

After removal of the lens it is replaced by either:

• Monofocal lenses: for distant vision
• Multifocal lenses: for both near and distant vision
• Toric lenses: for astigmatism

Procedure of Cataract Surgery

Pre-surgery check up for cataract:

• Eye examination
• Degree of reduction of vision
• General check up

Each eye operation should be scheduled separately when cataract affects both eyes. Cataract surgery is done under local anaesthesia.

• Regular Phaco Cataract Surgery

  In this, the cataract is removed with the help of ultrasonic energy. The incision is about 3 mm in size. Ultrasound waves are used in this procedure to bread down the lens. This process is called phacoemulsification, or phaco. Then, the broken down lens is extracted through a tiny tube. The lens might be removed in one piece too. The lens capsule which surrounds the lens is left intact.

  IOL for regular phaco

  Slightly hard lenses are used in Regular Phaco and need an incision of 3 mm.

  Type of lenses used in regular Phaco:

  • AcrySof SP Monofocal
  • Tridiff Multifocal
  • Toric
  • Akeros AO Monofocal
  • Aurovue Monofocal
• Micro-Phaco Cataract Surgery procedure

  In this procedure, a 2.2mm incision is made and the cataract affected lens is aspirated and dissolved. Through this incision a super-soft Intra Ocular lens is introduced. The difference between a regular Phaco and a Micro phaco is the size of the incision.

  The advantages of Microphaco surgery over regular Phaco surgery are:

  • Micro-incision
  • No stitch
  • Recovery of vision is faster.
  • The visual outcome is improved.
  • Outpatient department Surgery
  • Reduced need for glasses
• Cylinder correction

Statistics of Cataracts

Cataracts account for approximately 42% of the causes of blindness. It is easily treatable through a simple surgery. Currently, intraocular lens are used in 99% of the patients.

How Long Hospital Stay is Required During This Surgery?

The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and the entire surgery takes about 30 minutes. The patient is discharged within an hour of surgery.

Indications of Phaco Imported (Monofocal)

Phaco Imported (Monofocal) surgery is indicated in following:

• Blurred vision
• Poor night time vision
• Seeing halos and bursts of light when patient looks at bright light
• Colours appear less sharp

Contraindications

The following are the contraindications of Phaco surgery:

• Macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Retinal detachment
• Patient is on Flomax and prone of developing Intraoperative Floppy Iris syndrome

Complication/Risks of Phaco Imported (Monofocal)

The possible complications of Phaco surgery are:

• Endophthalmitis Peripheral light flashes and increasing floaters
• Posterior vitreous detachment
• Intra-operative Floppy Iris syndrome
• Posterior Capsule Opacification
• Posterior capsule rupture
• Glaucoma
• Oedema of retina or cornea

Recovery and Rehabilitation

• For the first 7 days, the patient is recommended to keep his/her eyes covered at all times. Dark eye goggles are prescribed.
• Patient is asked to refrain from straining the eye.
• Refrain from lifting weights and bending.
• Patient is asked to avoid straining in toilet or holding breath.
• Patients are prescribed glasses for near vision.