The term cataracts refers to the clouding of the natural eye lens, resulting in blurred vision, poor night vision, increased light sensitivity, and colours looking faded, and ultimately loss of vision if left untreated.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery involves removal of the cloudy lens, which is then replaced with an artificial lens or IOL – to restore clear vision. It is the most common eye surgery performed globally, with annual statistics as high as 26 million. Success rate is quite high with 95% of patients reporting improved vision.
Among the many causes of cataracts, the predominant one is advancing age. However, genetics, medical conditions like eye injury, diabetes, or extended UV-exposure can also result in cataracts.
If not treated in time, cataracts can lead to impaired vision, making simple daily activities, such as recognising faces, reading, and driving, hard.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, which means you do not require hospitalisation, and can return home the same day.
Types of Cataract Surgery
Today, we have so many advances and options that were simply unimaginable a few decades ago. Each surgical approach uses different techniques to remove the cloudy natural lens and implant an IOL. Also, each procedure has different recovery times and benefits.
The selection of a particular procedure depends on several factors, such as the severity of the cataract, your overall eye health, and your eye specialist’s recommendation. Before jumping into the 3 types of advanced cataract surgery, we need to understand the foundation upon which these innovations are built: Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery, commonly known as phaco.
Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery
Also known as small-incision cataract surgery or just phaco. A small incision is made in the cornea. Through this incision, your ophthalmologist inserts an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasound waves break up (emulsify) the cataract into tiny pieces. These fragments are then removed by suction. After cataract removal, an artificial lens (IOL) is implanted in your eye to restore vision.
Benefits:
- Minimally invasive nature
- Fast recovery
- Lower risk of complications
- Improved vision in 24-48 hours
- Resume normal routine within a week
MICS (Micro Incision Cataract Surgery)
An advanced phaco technique for cataract removal, MICS uses very small cuts (typically 1.8 mm – 2.2 mm) in the eye to remove the cataract and replace it with an artificial lens. Since the cuts are tiny, there is less need for stitches, and recovery is faster.
Benefits:
- Less invasive
- Minimal discomfort
- Clear vision in 24 hours
- Mostly stitchless
- Speedy recovery
- Improved visual quality
- Less tissue trauma
- Lower risk of refractive errors, e.g. astigmatism
- Negligible complication risk
FLACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery)
Also referred to as Femto Cataract Surgery, it utilises a femtosecond laser, a laser type that releases very short pulses of light – for performing some or all of the main steps to remove cataract and implant an artificial lens.
While traditional cataract surgery uses handheld instruments, FLACS has automated things – whether it is incisions in the cornea or fragmentation of the cloudy lens. With this, it ensures unmatched precision and consistency.
Benefits:
- No blade, no stitches, no pain
- Highly safe and precise
- Minimal eye trauma
- Quick cataract surgery recovery time
- See clearly in 24 hours
- Customised treatment
- Better positioning of lens
- Enhanced long-term visual outcomes
- Negligible astigmatism risk
- Particularly beneficial in cases with astigmatism and other challenging situations.
Robotic AI Cataract Surgery
A next-gen cataract surgery, it uses the Callisto imaging system along with Femto Laser to take precision and safety to the peak levels. It becomes possible with the incorporation of cutting-edge features – real-time eye tracking, high-definition imaging, and Femto laser technique. It ensures that the artificial lens is implanted with the highest accuracy.
Benefits:
- Unparalleled clarity in vision
- Blade-free precision
- Highest levels of safety
- Highly personalised
- Quick recovery
- Negligible discomfort
- Reduced need for specs after cataract surgery
- More surgical control
Get in Touch with Sohana Hospital Today!
Sohana Hospital in Mohali is one of the few eye care hospitals in the tricity that offers all the breakthrough treatments for cataract removal. Our trusted ophthalmologists, after going through your medical history, overall eye health, and severity of your cataract, recommend the most suitable cataract surgery for you.
In addition to the futuristic cataract treatments, we have a bouquet of the best lenses for cataract surgery to fit your requirement. Depending on the kind of IOL you opt for, you may not have to wear glasses for near, intermediate, and distant vision.
Another aspect that sets us apart is that we accept all major insurances, and also have no-cost EMI option to suit your budget.
