A cataract is an eye condition characterized by the loss of transparency of the lens , the natural lens located behind the pupil that is essential for clearly focusing on objects. This opacity can develop due to various circumstances, such as systemic diseases, genetic factors, or, more commonly, as a consequence of natural aging. As the lens becomes more opaque, vision becomes blurred, cloudy, and less colorful, indicating the progressive development of the cataract.
Cataract surgery, considered one of the safest and most effective procedures in modern medicine , involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. This procedure restores visual clarity and significantly improves the patient's quality of life. Typically performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, cataract surgery has a high success rate and a rapid recovery , allowing patients to resume their daily activities with minimal disruption.
What is a cataract and how does it develop?
A cataract forms when the lens of the eye, which is naturally transparent, loses its clarity and becomes cloudy, affecting vision. This usually occurs primarily due to aging, but it can also be accelerated by factors such as diabetes, prolonged steroid use, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, and smoking.
How do I know if I need cataract surgery?
If you experience symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, halos around lights, or frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription, it might be time to consider an evaluation for cataract surgery. An ophthalmologist can determine if your vision problems are due to cataracts and if you require surgery.
What technologies are used in cataract surgery at Clínica Nivaria?
At Clínica Nivaria we use advanced technologies such as phacoemulsification, which uses ultrasound to disintegrate and remove the opaque lens, and laser surgery, which allows for more precise incisions and a faster recovery.
Is cataract surgery safe?
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures, with millions of operations performed each year. The risks are minimal and serious complications are extremely rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified surgeon.
What type of intraocular lenses (IOLs) can be implanted?
We offer various types of IOLs, including single-vision, multifocal, and toric lenses. Each type has specific advantages, such as correcting vision at multiple distances or correcting astigmatism, and is chosen based on the patient's needs and lifestyle.
What is the recovery time after cataract surgery?
Most patients notice a significant improvement in their vision almost immediately after the procedure. However, full recovery and stabilization of vision can take up to several weeks. It is advisable to avoid strenuous activities and carefully follow postoperative instructions during this time.
What care should I follow after cataract surgery?
After surgery, it is recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity, wearing eye makeup, and exposure to dusty or smoky environments for the first few weeks. It is also important to use the prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
How does vision improve after cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery can restore clarity to vision affected by clouding of the lens. Many patients report a significant improvement in vision quality, with brighter colors and sharper details.
Can a cataract develop again after surgery?
Once the natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens during cataract surgery, it is not possible for a cataract to develop again. However, some patients may experience posterior capsule opacification, which may require a simple laser procedure to restore clear vision.
What is the cost of cataract surgery at Clínica Nivaria?
The cost of cataract surgery can vary depending on the type of intraocular lens used and the specific technologies employed during the procedure. At Clínica Nivaria, we offer financing options and work with most health insurance providers to facilitate access to our services.
What are its symptoms?
- Blurry vision, foggy, as if through a veil.
- Slow and unequal evolution in both eyes.
- Glare from intense lights or changes in brightness.
- Difficulty driving at night.
- The colors fade, they look different.
- Double vision in one eye.
- Frequent changes in the prescription of your glasses or lenses.
- A temporary improvement in the eyesight of people who need glasses to see up close.
Pre-surgical consultation
At Clínica Nivaria, we believe direct contact with each patient who entrusts us with their eye health is of paramount importance. Therefore, the entire pre- and post-surgical process is carried out by the same ophthalmologist who will perform the procedure.
If you are interested in this type of surgery, the first step is to request a pre-surgical consultation. This consultation is essential to determine the correct surgical indication. Below, we explain what it involves.
BEFORE THE PRE-SURGICAL CONSULTATION:
IMPORTANT: It is very important that when you book your appointment by phone (822 027 777) you indicate that you want a pre-surgical consultation or general pre-surgical examination.
We advise you to come accompanied, as your pupils will dilate during the tests, causing blurred vision for a few hours. Driving after the tests is not recommended for the same reason.
PRELIMINARY GENERAL EXAM:
In addition to the consultation, a series of ophthalmological and optometric tests will be performed to determine both whether or not the procedure is advisable and the most appropriate surgical technique for each individual case. These tests are:
- Eye refraction study.
- Corneal study.
- Retinal study.
The possibility of carrying out some other test on special occasions, according to medical criteria, is not ruled out.
AFTER THE CONSULTATION AND TESTS:
Following the consultation, if your ophthalmologist determines that the procedure is appropriate, you can schedule your appointment. You will also be provided with a treatment estimate, financing options, and the following documentation:
- Informed Consent.
- Instructions and recommendations prior to the intervention.
In addition to these general criteria, the results of all ophthalmological tests performed by the specialist during the preoperative examination will be essential to determine if a patient is a good candidate.
Cataract surgery
Currently, phacoemulsification is the most advanced method for the definitive treatment of cataracts. It involves using ultrasound to dissolve and remove the damaged lens, replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens that is deployed inside the eye without needing to enlarge the initial opening. This lens performs the same function as the natural lens, lasts a lifetime, and does not lose transparency.
Contrary to popular belief, this procedure is simpler if the cataracts are not fully formed. Once the procedure is completed, the patient can go home on their own, with the eye uncovered, and their visual recovery will be very rapid.
Postoperative
It is recommended that the patient remain at home on the day of the procedure. Visual improvement is usually so rapid that the patient can begin to gradually resume their normal activities the following day. However, they should follow certain recommendations, such as using eye drops, avoiding rubbing their eyes, and refraining from strenuous physical activity like lifting heavy objects for a few days after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I tell if I have cataracts? Initially, when the cataract is not very dense, you'll notice blurred vision, and lights may be more dazzling than usual. As the cataract develops, vision becomes increasingly blurred, progressively making it difficult to perform everyday activities.
- At what age do cataracts usually appear? Cataracts that impair visual function, preventing clear vision with glasses, typically appear after age 60. However, they can also appear as early as age 50. Cataracts are more common in nearsighted patients, especially those with high prescriptions. In these patients, cataracts may appear earlier.
- Can cataracts and presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) be treated in the same procedure? Yes. Thanks to the use of multifocal intraocular lenses, treating cataracts can also significantly correct age-related farsightedness.
- Can both eyes be operated on at the same time? Currently, thanks to new protocols for preventing post-surgical complications, we can operate on both eyes simultaneously, sequentially.
- Is this operation painful? Not at all. Currently, the operation is performed, in most cases, with topical anesthesia (drops), without the need for numbness or injections.
- When can I resume normal activities after surgery? Once both eyes have been operated on, the patient can resume normal activities, taking care not to touch or bump the eye, especially during the first month. For the three weeks following surgery, treatment will consist of eye drops, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics.
- Once cataract surgery has been performed, can they reappear? No. This is impossible, since the lens affected by the condition has been replaced by an intraocular lens. However, the sac where the lens is inserted can become cloudy, causing a secondary cataract that is treated with a special type of laser.
- Will I need glasses after surgery? Most patients can perform normal distance vision activities without glasses. You will need reading glasses unless, in consultation with your ophthalmologist, you have opted for multifocal intraocular lenses, which allow you to focus at different distances. However, these lenses are not suitable for all patients, so a personalized assessment of each case is necessary.
Further examinations may be carried out if the patient's recovery indicates it is necessary.
