Cataract Surgery

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which sits behind the iris and focuses light onto the retina. As the proteins in the lens change with age or other factors, the lens becomes hazy, yellowed or opaque. Light scatters instead of focusing sharply, so vision becomes blurred, dull or glary. Cataract is not a growth or a film on the surface of the eye, and it cannot be removed with drops or lasers alone — surgery is the effective treatment once it begins to affect daily life.

Symptoms & signs

• Blurred, cloudy or misty vision that glasses no longer fully correct
• Glare and haloes around lights, especially while driving at night
• Colours looking faded or yellowish
• Needing brighter light to read
• Frequent changes in spectacle power
• Double vision in one eye (in some cases)

Causes & risk factors

• Natural ageing of the lens — the most common cause
• Diabetes and other metabolic conditions
• Long-term use of steroid medicines
• Previous eye injury, inflammation or eye surgery
• Prolonged exposure to UV sunlight and smoking
• Congenital cataract present at birth (in children)

Who needs this treatment?

• Anyone whose cataract makes reading, driving, work or daily tasks difficult
• Patients whose glasses no longer give clear, comfortable vision
• People with cataract that prevents examination or treatment of other eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy
• Patients advised surgery after evaluation by an ophthalmologist

How it is diagnosed

• Visual acuity and refraction testing
• Slit-lamp examination to grade the cataract
• Dilated retina examination to check the back of the eye
• Biometry (eye measurements) to calculate the intraocular lens power
• Additional tests such as corneal assessment or OCT where needed

Treatment options

Procedure / what to expect

1. Pre-operative assessmentEye measurements, general health review and instructions on medicines and fasting, if any.
2. AnaesthesiaUsually numbing drops or a local anaesthetic; you stay awake and comfortable.
3. Lens removalA tiny incision is made and the cloudy lens is gently emulsified and removed.
4. IOL implantationA folded artificial lens is placed inside the natural lens capsule, where it unfolds.
5. Same-day dischargeMost patients go home the same day with a protective shield and eye drops.

Benefits

• Clearer, brighter vision and better colour perception
• Small incision that typically heals quickly
• Option to reduce dependence on glasses with premium lenses
• Usually performed as a day-care procedure

Technology used

• Phacoemulsification surgical system for micro-incision surgery
• Optical/ultrasound biometry for lens power calculation
• Operating microscope for precise surgery
• Slit-lamp and dilated fundus examination

Specific equipment models: to be confirmed by the hospital

Recovery

• Vision often starts improving within a few days; final spectacle power is usually checked after a few weeks
• Use prescribed eye drops exactly as advised
• Wear the protective shield while sleeping for the period advised
• Attend all follow-up visits so healing can be monitored

Precautions

• Avoid rubbing or pressing the operated eye
• Keep water, soap and dust out of the eye for the period advised
• Avoid heavy lifting and swimming until your doctor permits
• Contact the hospital immediately if you notice sudden pain, increasing redness or reduced vision

Frequently asked questions

Why choose Jawahar Eye Hospital?

• Specialist-led diagnosis and treatment planning
• Modern diagnostics and surgical systems
• Clear explanation of options, risks and costs
• Day-care procedures wherever appropriate
• Structured follow-up after treatment
• Convenient location on Delhi Road, Meerut