Cataract – What are Cataract Disease Treatments? | Treatments Of Cataract Disease | Cataract Disease Treatments
When a cataract is sufficiently developed to be removed by surgery, the most effective and common treatment is to make an incision (capsulotomy) into the capsule of the cloudy lens in order to surgically remove the lens. There are two types of eye surgery that can be used to remove cataracts: extra-capsular (extracapsular cataract extraction, or ECCE) and intra-capsular (intracapsular cataract extraction, or ICCE).
Extra-capsular (ECCE) surgery consists of removing the lens but leaving the majority of the lens capsule intact. High frequency sound waves (phacoemulsification) are sometimes used to break up the lens before extraction.
Intra-capsular (ICCE) surgery involves removing the entire lens of the eye, including the lens capsule, but it is rarely performed in modern practice.
In either extra-capsular surgery or intra-capsular surgery, the cataractous lens is removed and replaced with a plastic lens (an intraocular lens implant) which stays in the eye permanently.
Cataract operations are usually performed using a local anaesthetic and the patient is allowed to go home the same day. Recent improvements in intraocular technology now allow cataract patients to choose a multifocal lens to create a visual environment in which they are less dependent on glasses. Under some medical systems multifocal lenses cost extra. Traditional intraocular lenses are monofocal.
Complications are possible after cataract surgery, including endophthalmitis, posterior capsular opacification and retinal detachment.
Cataract is an eye disorder that may affect any individual at any moment of one`s lifetime. It is blurring of the vision that mostly occurs at an old age, however there are certain types of cataracts that can hamper an individual`s eyesight at a young age or be present during birth too. Individuals who develop cataracts, their sharp visions are affected as the cataracts progresses and allow less light from an image to be projected onto the retina through the lens. Cataracts, though usually develop over a long period of time, over the years the worsening of the condition affect the ability of the individual to perform normal activity. Nevertheless, cataract is a curable eye ailment and the treatments are designed depending on the type and symptom. Treatment of Cataract can be of several kinds. The most common method that can set right this eye disorder is conventional treatment. Furthermore, alternative medicines also play a considerable role in correcting cataract.
Treatment of Cataract may vary according to the intensity of the problem. If a cataract causes minor vision problems, patients may opt to rectify their vision through glasses or contact lenses. There are various types of contact lenses that are selected by the individual which are more convenient for the individual. Eventually, when the cataracts begin providing a greater impact on the life of the individual, patients choose surgery as the remedy. However, according to the conventional treatment, glasses and contact lenses are only temporary remedies for a cataracts problem. Once the cataracts start worsening, the only option of treating it can be through conventional surgery. Besides, the conventional methods of Cataracts, this eye ailment can be treated with the aid of alternative medicines too.
Alternative medicines such as naturopathy, traditional medicines, homeopathy and Ayurveda can be used to treat cataract. Treatment of Cataract can be done naturally. Various herbs, exercises and therapies can correct this eye disorder. Moreover, ayurveda is considered to have admirable healing methods. In ayurveda, cataract is known as `timira` or `lin ganesha`. The therapy used in Ayurveda to treat cataracts is to bathe the eye with an eye wash made of triphala tea. The tea is composed of a powder prepared from three Indian fruits. Other alternative therapies, apart from ayurveda include homeopathic treatment.
Cataract surgery has advanced considerably over the last decade
Gone are the days of wearing ‘bottle-lens’ glasses after cataract surgery. This was necessary when the clouded lens was removed and not replaced with anything. Very high prescription lenses were needed for focusing. Nowadays a cataract can be removed in a simple outpatient operation using a technique called phacoemulsification. This is carried out under local anaesthetic and you can be home within hours. A small plastic lens replaces the natural one and glasses are often not needed after surgery (except for reading).
The operation takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The eyelid is held open and surgery is carried out under the microscope while you are fully awake. Stitches are not normally necessary.
1.The new lens remains there permanently and does the work of the natural lens. The wound heals naturally, usually without the need for stitches.
2.The artificial lens is inserted in the space left behind. You will not feel anything.
3.Sound waves (ultrasound) are used to liquefy the lens, which is then removed by suction through a small tube.
4.The surgeon makes a very small incision in the side of the eye.
Symptoms of cataracts are what you would expect namely decreased clarity of vision and a loss of contrast. As the cataracts becomes more clouded, the vision can become completely eclipsed, which leads to near-blindness or total blindness. Obviously, the goal of treatment would be to avoid the cataracts reaching this point, however it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. There are several treatment options, but the most often used is also the most risky.
Some treatment options for cataracts are surgery to remove the cataract, which is only used when absolutely necessary due to the risk of further damaging the eye/s. Recent research has led to the development of eye drops that have sporadic success in treating cataracts. The best cure is prevention, which we’ll talk about next.
Although the origins of each case are uncertain, research suggests that wearing UV blocking sunglasses can be very helpful for preventing cataracts. This is especially true for people that work outside or near areas of bright sun. Also, taking moderate doses of antioxidant supplements has also been proven to help, although this is still being tested.
The bottom line is that cataracts are an unforgiving and inconveniencing condition that can change a person’s life forever. At first, the symptoms may not be severe, but as it progresses it can become very difficult to see. Although blindness does not always occur, there is a high chance that it might. This is why researchers are working furiously to develop new treatments that make surgery unnecessary.
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