Cataract is an age-related eye condition derived from the sclerosis (loss of elasticity) and opacification (loss of transparency) of the crystalline lens. As a result light does not reflect correctly on the retina causing a decrease of vision in affected patients.
Cataracts develop progressively and patients might not notice the decrease in vision until the condition is moderately advanced. Most frequent symptoms include:
Loss of far vision. Fading colours and brightness.
Blurry vision (veil vision).
Dysphotopsia (glare). Double vision (monocular diplopia).
Although the most frequent type of cataracts is age-related, depending on the cause and moment of onset cataracts may be classified into the following categories:
CATARACT
CORRECTION
The only effective treatment for the elimination of cataracts is surgery. Optical correction (eyeglasses, contact lenses) and medication do not correct this pathology.
Cataract surgery replaces the opacified crystalline lens with an intraocular lens (IOL).
Cataracts are eliminated using the phacoemulsification procedure with intraocular lens implant. Femtosecond laser (femto phaco) may be used as an adjuvant method. Phacoemulsification technology can be replaced by Nano Laser surgery.
Phacoemulsification is a microincisional, sutureless, outpatient procedure for cataract surgery.
In this procedure an ultrasonic probe is inserted in the eye to break up the opaque lens into tiny particles. Emulsified lens matter is later extracted by the surgeon through a minimal incision
Intraocular lenses are made of biocompatible material and are implanted for life. There is no age limit for their implant.
(myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism).
it is not necessary to wait for the full development of cataracts.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure.
PSEUDOPHAKIC
INTRAOCULAR LENSES
Cataract surgery replaces the opacified crystalline lens with an intraocular lens. These lenses are innocuous and biocompatible.
However, not all phakic intraocular lenses are the same. Choosing a specific lens will depend on whether the purpose of surgery is just to remove the cataracts. Refractive errors may also be corrected which requires different lenses. Lenses can be monofocal or multifocal in terms of their focusing distance (near, medium or far). Intraocular lenses that correct astigmatism are known as toric lenses.
The posterior capsule of the crystalline lens in which the intraocular lens is implanted becomes fibrous with time and causes a reduction of vision (commonly known as “dirty lenses”) although it is actually the posterior capsule on which the lens is supported that is affected. This situation has a quick simple solution with the use of YAG capsulotomy.
PIONEERS IN
OCULAR SURGERY
The expertise of our medical team combined with the use of state-of-the-art technology guarantee the best results for our patients.
“Excellent care and high professional standards. I had cataract surgery on both eyes. Dr. Rahhal and his team made something very simple out of a complicated operation”
Tomás Cócera.
“I felt in good hands all the time during cataract surgery. That helped me cope with my fear of surgery”
Alfonso Tejedor.
“Proficiency, excellent care and treatment and good environment, especially during my cataract surgery which went really well. I felt very comfortable from the very first minute”
Mª Isabel Delgado.
WE FINANCE YOUR TREATMENT
SO THAT LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF WILL NOT COME AT AN EXCESSIVE COST
At CLÍNICA RAHHAL we want treatment to be affordable for our patients.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Select any of the following FAQs from our patients and check the answers. If your doubts are not solved please use the contact form below to get in touch with us.
Cataract surgery is performed when vision loss limits daily activities. This vision impairment begins at 0.5 in the eye chart (sometimes less).
At this point activities like reading and driving become difficult.
No. The cataract process is associated with ageing and develops in an irreversible form. Surgery is the only effective treatment.
Yes. The intraocular lens that replaces the eye lens is adjusted to correct the patient’s myopia/hyperopia.
Yes. There are several methods to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery. One of them involves making relaxing (arcuate) incisions which reduce astigmatism. Another method is the use of special (toric) lenses. In this case the results are less predictable than in the correction of myopia or hyperopia, but the reduction of astigmatism will still be considerable.
That will depend on the condition of the eye structures. Initial prognosis is based on a study carried out before surgery.
A 100% healthy eye that loses vision with cataract will recover its vision 100% after surgery, however if the retina is damaged and the vision is reduced to 60%, cataract surgery will only restore vision to 60%.
The type of intraocular lens to be implanted depends on the needs of patients and their daily activity
Yes. All intraocular lenses manufactured nowadays are made of advanced materials that guarantee lifetime use.
Leave your contact info and we’ll get back to you. You will receive a confirmation email and within a few hours we’ll call you to schedule an appointment.
