Cataract - Excelview Laser Eye Centre Sdn Bhd

CATARACT Treatment

What is CATARACT ?

The lens in your eye works like the lens in a camera to focus images you see onto the retina (like the film in the camera). This lens is clear when we are young but it starts to cloud after we pass the age of 50. This clouding is called a cataract and causes blurred vision like looking through a frosted glass.

What causes CATARACT?

The most common cause of cataract is old age (usually from the age of 50). Other causes of cataracts are eye injuries, intake of certain medications such as steroids and diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Cataracts may be present at birth or inherited as a genetic defect.

How do CATARACT affect your sight?

Cataract result in blurred or clouded vision, washed-out colour perception and being dazzled by bright lights (such as car headlamps or bright sunlight). The reduction in vision can be measured from the Snellen vision chart. It can also result in a loss of depth perception causing problems such as going down the staircase. These symptoms worsen with the progression of the cataract and cannot be treated with medication or vitamins. Even changing the spectacles will not improve the vision.

Phacoemulsification (or “Phaco’)

The procedure, called Phacoemulsification (dissolving the cataract in Latin) uses ultrasonic energy to emulsify (or dissolve) the cataract for removal through a phaco probe.

Step 1

A very small incision (2.75 mm) is made on the side of the cornea.

Step 2

The probe is inserted through this incision into the eye to break up the cataract into smaller fragments by using ultrasonic energy. These fragments are then removed by using a suction device within the probe.

Step 3

A small 'foldable' intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the eye to replace the cataract lens. This IOL helps the patient to focus without spectacles and do the work of the old natural lens. The choice of IOL depends on the patient's visual requirements and the surgeon's recommendation.

Step 4

The IOL is positioned at the same location as the natural lens within the lens capsule. The wound does not require any stitches as it is self-healing.

Types of Intraocular lens (IOL) Implant

The procedure, called Phacoemulsification (dissolving the cataract in Latin) uses ultrasonic energy to emulsify (or dissolve) the cataract for removal through a phaco probe.

Trifocal IOL

The Trifocal IOL provides vision correction at all distances (near, intermediate and far) with reduced need for glasses. This lens is designed to address cataracts and presbyopia, improving overall vision and quality of life.

Monofocal IOL

This is by far the most commonly used implant with the IOL power chosen to improve your distance vision. For near vision, the patient requires reading glasses. The advantage of IOL is excellent clarity for distance vision.