The function of your lens is to refract light that enters your eyes and assist you in seeing everything. This means your lens should be clear for clear vision. However, the vision will appear cloudy if you suffer from a cataract. If so, the only possible way is to remove the cataract with the help of surgery.

This article highlights the details related to cataract eye surgery. So, if you are keen to know about them, keep scrolling!

A cataract eye operation is a type of operation or surgery that eliminates the cataract. Cataracts are cloudy eye lenses that are caused due to clumping of protein which worsens your vision over time. Therefore, they are the leading causes of blindness worldwide.

Cataract surgery replaces these cloudy eye lenses with a crystal clear artificial lens to bring back your vision.

Cataract eye surgery is performed to remove the cataract. Usually, a doctor recommends this surgery when a cataract impacts the treatment of another eye.

For instance, if a cataract makes it challenging for a doctor to check the back of your eye to treat any problem, like diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, then your doctor may prescribe you to go for cataract eye surgery.

At the same time, a doctor may suggest cataract eye surgery when a cataract interferes with your day-to-day activities.

Mentioned below are the different types of cataract surgeries in India:

1. Phacoemulsification

Phacoemulsification is the most common eye surgery to remove a cataract. In this surgical procedure, a doctor does a minor surgical incision around the cornea's edge, where he or she creates an opening through the membrane bordering the lens. 

After this, the doctor inserts a small ultrasonic probe into that opening to break down the clouded lens. Once he or she is successful in removing cataract fragments with the help of a probe tip, an intraocular lens implant is implanted to restore the vision.

Cost of Surgery

Approximately ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 32,000

2. Manual Extracapsular Cataract Surgery

This surgery is performed during highly advanced cataracts, which are extremely dense to get treated with the help of phacoemulsification, or the latter is impossible to perform.

Before initiating the surgery, a doctor injects a numbing medication around the eye. After this, a doctor does a slightly larger incision so that he or she can remove the cataract in one piece rather than fragment it within the eye. Then, he or she implants an artificial lens inside a similar capsular bag in the next step.

Note that several sutures are needed to close this larger wound. This also leads to the slower recovery of wounds and vision. Besides, the doctor uses an eye patch for patients after surgery.

Cost of Surgery

Approximately ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 35,000

3. Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery

A variation of Manual Extracapsular Cataract Surgery, this surgical technique involves a smaller V-shaped incision which is narrow on the outer part of the eyes and wider on the inside. However, phacoemulsification may provide better short-term results within 3 months of surgery. On the other hand, MSIC is comparatively affordable.

Cost of Surgery

Approximately ₹ 30,000 to ₹ 35,000

4. Intracapsular Cataract Surgery

This operation is rarely performed nowadays. However, it is still a useful technique in specific circumstances. In this method, a doctor does a much larger incision than the one extracapsular surgery to remove the entire lens along with the surrounding capsule. After this, an intraocular lens is implanted in front of the iris.

Cost of Surgery

Approximately ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 35,000

5. Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery

In this surgical process, a surgeon uses a laser to create an incision in the eye. In addition, this laser can soften and divide the cataract. This requires less phacoemulsification energy to eliminate it and results in quick recovery. However, note that this surgery is costlier than other methods.

Cost of Surgery

Approximately ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 35,000

After the surgery, you can expect the following advantages:

1. Improve Vision

As mentioned previously, a doctor replaces your cloudy lens with an artificial clear lens in cataract eye surgery. After the surgery, objects will appear clear, and the colour will be brighter. Your eyesight will continue to improve gradually with the healing of the wound and as soon as your brain adjusts to the new implanted lens.

2. Enhances Quality of Life

Cataract blurs your vision and makes it challenging for you to perform daily activities, which can indirectly affect your mental health. However, opting for cataract eye surgery is ideal for restoring your vision and will help you to carry out daily activities without depending on others. This will directly uplift your confidence and promote your mental well-being.

3. Maintains Eye Health

Most patients with cataracts suffer from other eye problems. This includes eye inflammation which increases pressure in the eye and can result in glaucoma and other chronic eye problems. Sometimes, people with diabetes suffer from a damaged retina.

However, a cataract on the other eye makes it challenging for a doctor to treat such eye problems. Therefore, it is better to initially bear the cost of a cataract operation and live peacefully after it.

According to recent studies, almost 97 to 98% of cataract surgeries are successful. This is possible since the complications in cataract surgery are low.

Here are some of the ways following which you can prepare yourself for cataract eye surgery:

1. Check for Changes in Eye Health

Pay attention to your eye's health before two weeks of the surgery. Your eyes must not have any infection and are clear. In case you notice sensitivity, redness or discharge, contact your doctor immediately to get such issues treated.

2. Talk With Your Doctor About Your Medication

Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the medicines you take for your existing medical conditions. This is important as certain medicines increase the risk of bleeding during cataract eye surgery. Do not alter your medication schedules without consulting your doctor first, especially if you are on treatment for reflux or diabetes.

3. Use Eye Drops

A doctor may prescribe you an eye drop to prevent any growth of infection. Follow the instructions carefully before applying eye drops.

4. Do Not Wear Contact Lenses

Do not wear contact lenses three days before the surgery date. Otherwise, they can irritate your eyes and delay the operation. Your eyes need to get some rest. However, you can wear your eyeglasses if you have one.

5. Avoid Cosmetics and Wear Comfortable Clothes

It is important to wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes on the day of surgery. Avoid putting on any perfume, make-up, deodorant or any other cosmetics. If there are any traces of such, remove the same, especially around the eyes at night before the day of your surgery.

6. Follow Doctor's Advice on Diet

Your doctor may recommend not eating solid food for approximately 6 hours before surgery. Besides, you should abstain from drinking alcohol before 24 hours of surgery.

7. Preparation After Surgery

Several patients return home on a similar day of the surgery. If that is the case with you as well, you must arrange for a ride beforehand as you will not be permitted to drive. You can ask your family member or friend to accompany you to the surgical institute, wait while the operation is going on and drive you home once the process is completed.

You may expect the following complications after cataract surgery:

• Inflammation
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Drooping eyelid
• Swelling
• Glaucoma
• Dislocation of artificial lens
• Secondary cataract
• Retinal detachment
• Loss of vision

The risk of developing complications after surgery is more if you have a chronic medical condition or another eye disease. Sometimes, cataract surgery fails to restore vision due to existing damages to the eye for any medical conditions such as macular degeneration or glaucoma.

Therefore, make sure to get medical treatment for other eye problems before going for cataract eye surgery.

Before a week of the surgery date, the doctor will conduct a painless ultrasound test to assess the shape and size of your eyes to determine the correct lens type to implant.

There are different kinds of IOLs with specific features. Before the surgery, your doctor will discuss with you the type of IOL to implant that will suit you and your lifestyle.

Cataract surgery usually involves an outpatient process. It may take hours or less to do the same. Your doctor will put an eyedrop to dilate your pupils. After this, the doctor will apply local anaesthetics around the eye, and you will receive a sedative to keep you relaxed during the process.

To remove the cataract, a doctor will perform any surgical method such as extracapsular extraction or phacoemulsification. During the surgery, the doctor removes the clouded lens and implants an artificial lens. In some cases, a doctor may remove a cataract without replacing it with an artificial lens.

After the surgery, you may expect improved vision within a few days. At first, your vision may appear blurry as your eye is undergoing the healing and adjusting process. Colour may appear brighter as you are looking through a new lens.

You need to visit the doctor's clinic a day or two after the surgery, subsequent week and then after one month to check how your eyes are functioning after surgery.

You may experience slight discomfort or itching for a few days after surgery. It is quite normal. However, avoid rubbing your eyes. Furthermore, your doctor may ask you to wear a protective shield or eye patch during surgery and after a few days of surgery while sleeping.

Moreover, you may be prescribed a few medications and eye drops to regulate eye pressure, reduce inflammation and prevent inflammation. Sometimes, your doctor may inject these medicines into your eyes during surgery.

Besides, you may require glasses after cataract surgery. Your doctor will inform you about the healing condition of your eyes for you to receive the prescription for eyeglasses. This normally occurs between one to three months of cataract eye surgery.

Apart from these, note that if you suffer from cataracts in both eyes, your doctor will arrange a slot for the second surgery only after your first eye has completely recovered.

You must contact the doctor if you suffer from any of the following after cataract surgery:

• Vision loss
• Increased redness of the eye
• Continuous pain despite using medications
• Swelling of the eyelid
• Seeing multiple new spots or light flashes in front of your eye

Cataract eye surgery is the only way to remove the cataract and restore your vision. There are no non-surgical treatments available to permanently remove a cataract.