How to Treat a Cataract

A cataract is a reduction in the transparency of an otherwise clear ocular lens. The lens focuses the light rays entering the eye so that they fall onto the retina. A cataract prevents the light rays from falling onto the retina, thus leading to a decrease in visual acuity. Unfortunately, there are no options for restored sight with cataracts except for surgery.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Visit an ophthalmologist upon finding any impairment in vision.
2. Schedule an appointment for surgery (if you are physically well enough to do so) if the doctor determines that it is a cataract.
3. Undergo surgery under a topical anaesthetic. The clouded core of the lens is removed using a phacoemulsification technique. During phacoemulsification, the lens' core is disintegrated by ultrasound, and the parts of the core are sucked out of the eye under a controlled negative pressure.
4. Prepare yourself for the possibility that the surgery was unsuccessful. This is a distinct possibility which may result in the worsening of vision.

Tips & Warnings

• Currently there are no drops, medicines, or special glasses which are capable of curing a cataract. Surgery is the only known option for restored sight.
• Surgery for cataracts are is an absolute sure thing, as with all types of surgeries and treatments in general. Among the possible operative complications are a rupture of the lens sheath or the lens' supporting apparatus or an increase in intraocular pressure. An experienced surgeon is able to solve the majority of these complications so that the resulting visual acuity is no different from that following the normal course of surgery.