CATARACT (Safed Motia)

The word cataract means a “Waterfall” and is the obvious comparison of inability to see due to mist around a waterfall. Scientifically it means pacification of the normally transparent lens. The cataracts are the commonest cause of reversibility visual through out the world.


What causes cataract?

The cause of senile cataracts remains unknown through a number of risk factors, which precipitate or accelerate the cataractogenesis, have been identified; these include age, sunlight, diabetes and numerous other factors most of which remain controversial.


Is it reversible?

This senile cataract at present cannot be reversed by any means. The progression of however is variable and may take years before it becomes a significant cause of decrease in vision.


What are its symptoms?

It causes a painless, slowly progressive decrease in clarity of vision. A poor near vision not corrected by glasses, difficulty in bright light (glare due to head light of vehicles) and seeing multiple images (e.g. multiple images of moon) may also be subtle signs of cataract. Other diseased however can mimic all these symptoms and thus, a consultation with your eye specialist is an absolute necessity.


When should I get operated?

The surgery is deemed necessary if the cataract is significantly affecting your visual requirements.


Should I wait for maturation?

Once a cataract is implicated as the cause of your poor vision or excessive glare the only treatment is surgery. Since it is an elective surgery it can be undertaken at any time of your convenience. However, there is no need to wait for maturation of cataract as it can produce sight-threatening complication. Moreover, surgery of immature cataract is much more safer.


What surgery should I undergo?

The surgery of choice nowadays is “Phacoemulsification” with an intraocular lens implantation as it provides an early visual recovery.


What are my chances of visual recovery?

The surgery is 100% successful in restoring sight unless there is a contributory cause for decrease vision like corneal opacity, retinal degeneration etc.