Cataract Surgery in Mumbai 

Posted by Dr Niteen Dedhia on June 17th, 2019

The opacification of the normally transparent lens is called cataract. The Latin word ‘cataracta’ means ‘waterfall’. Imagine trying to peer through a sheet of falling water or through a frosted or fogged-up window. Development of Cataract varies from person to person but as a general rule, most cataracts develop slowly over a period of time. A cataract can take months or even years to reach a point where it adversely affects vision.

Causes of cataract

Age-related cataract

The cataract occurs as a result of the natural aging process of lens fibres which become opaque over a period of time.

Traumatic cataract

• Due to a direct penetrating injury.
• Concussion- Electric shock and lightning.
• Ionizing radiation done as treatment for ocular tumors.
• Surgical trauma

Metabolic cataract: Defect in body metabolism

• Diabetes
• Galactosaemia -inborn error of metabolism
• Calcium disorders

Steroid-induced cataract

This occurs as a result of excess intake of oral steroid or putting steroid drops in the eye.

Secondary cataract

Here, cataract develops as a result of some other primary ocular disease such as chronic eye inflammation or glaucoma.

History of Cataract treatment

The earliest surgery treatment was started in India, by Maharshi Sushruta. It was known as ‘couching’, where the cataractous lens was dislocated backward into the bottom of the eye and out of visual axis.

This procedure was performed for more than two thousand years until the mid-eighteenth century. Great progress in cataract surgery has been made in recent years with the introduction of micro-surgical instruments, microscope and modern surgical techniques like phacoemulsification, which has made couching obsolete.

In the early stages of cataract development, all that is needed to correct your vision with glasses is a change in prescription. As the cataract develops and begins to affect your lifestyle, it needs to be removed. Cataract surgery, the most commonly performed operation, is safe and effective in 95% patients with enhancement in vision.

Methods of evaluation of cataracts:

Visual acuity: Checking vision of both eyes unaided and aided with glasses and pin-hole vision to know the improvement as well as to get the general idea about the macular function of the eyes. This will help in prognostic evaluation of visual recovery after cataract surgery.

Intra ocular pressure: If intra-ocular pressure increases as a secondary to cataract, surgery is needed to prevent further complications.

Slit-lamp examination: To know the type of cataract along with its opacity, morphology and etiology or any associated ocular pathology.

Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy: for complete retinal evaluation. Dense cataract will prevent retinal evaluation and such cases need B-scan for retinal evaluation.

A-scan biometry: To calculate the AL and IOL power for implantation in cases of mature cataract the posterior segment of the eye is evaluated.

Optical biometry: this is an advanced non contact method to measure IOL power. It is patient friendly and highly precise

Treatment Options Available For Cataract

Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE): is a conventional technique.

• ECCE requires an incision of 10-12mm
• The doctor removes the clouded lens in one piece.
• Multiple stitches are required.
• Doctor implants a non-foldable lens

Cataract Surgery in Mumbai