Very Clear Illustration Regarding Phaco-Cataract Surgery

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This is a very brief article about cataract surgery where you can know the image the main steps applied in such surgeries. The illustration is made by Christine Cote, she is an MS in Biomedical Visualization.

Formation of cataract in the lens of the eye is one of the most common problems for many above 65 years old and it is increasing due to the fact that the numbers of people living more than 65 are increasing.

The formation of a cataract means that the lens is becoming opaque and vision will start to become blurry and will continue to be worse until almost nothing can be seen.

The Simulation of cataract vision 

Statistically, if you live long enough then you are sure to have a cataract in your lens. Nowadays, due to advancements in the ophthalmic field, there is a surgery that is called phacoemulsification by which you can get the vision back to its clear state.

There are also new procedures that incorporate femtosecond laser machines in such procedure and are called Femto-phaco, one of the advantages of these machines is that it reduces the exposure to ultrasound doses in normal cataract surgery which is harmful to the endothelial layer of the cornea. Another advantage is that some machines are able to make the capsulorhexis or the breaking of the lens capsule in a perfectly circular form that reduces the need for a skilled ophthalmologist to do the surgery, other machines can go an extra step and can make the incisions needed for the I/A probe (Aspiration-Irrigation probe) to enter the cornea near the limbus. This significantly reduces the risks related to such cases.

Many technological advancements have aided the ophthalmology sector in treating many eye diseases that used to be not treatable most of which are advancements in laser optics and robotics that now we are making use of a Femto-laser, we can treat glaucoma and floaters without the need traditional surgery. Traditional surgeries usually impose higher risks longer healing times, less accuracy, and far less predictability of results.

How a Cataract is formed?

The lens inside the eye loses its transparency and with time becomes an opaque object that blocks the light from being projected into the retina where images are sensed and neuroelectrical pulses are sent via the optic nerve to the brain. There are many reasons that contribute to the formation of a cataract. But the main reason is the Ultraviolet rays coming from the sun. These rays are harmful to the retina and thus the retina and as a defense mechanism, the lens starts to become less transparent. And eventually becomes so opaque that a person has a limited vision or almost no ability to see at all!

What is the Solution for having a Cataract?

The logical reason is that the lens that is no longer allowing light to pass needs to be removed, and that is exactly what a phacoemulsification surgery is. During phaco surgery, the lens will be removed and will be replaced by an artificial lens that is suitable for your eyes.

So after having removed the bad lens and replacing it with a new artificial lens, you will be able to see much better.

Who are the most prone to forming cataracts in their eyes?  

As we mentioned earlier all people can have cataracts if they live long enough, but mainly people who are more prone to direct sunlight are the people who have the highest chances of forming cataracts. Africa, some parts of Asia, and Europe are the areas with the highest rates of cataracts, and although it is now considered as low risk and high success rate surgery. In many regions of the world where there is a lack of specialized centers, skilled surgeons or proper equipment can decrease the success rate of cataract surgery can be reduced significantly.

How complicated is phaco surgery? 

Actually, phaco surgery has cut a long way and is now considered a minor surgery where the patient can leave the hospital or center on the same day!

Why are there still so many people having a cataract?   

Statistically, there were around 200 million people who were considered vision impaired because of having cataract and there were around 32 million people having total blindness due to cataracts. one in 6 visually impaired people are visually impaired due to having cataracts.

In some parts lack of knowledge that such a problem is treatable can be a major factor, other factors can also contribute, such as the cost of surgery availability of medical centers able to treat cataracts, or even having a properly trained surgeon to do the surgery. Sometimes the far distance of such centers can be a factor.

What is the Cost of Cataract Surgery for One Eye?

In the USA a cataract surgery can cost from 3450 USD to 4350 USD

In KSA the cost can be starting from around 1000 USD (3500 SAR)

In India cataract surgery can vary from 420 USD to 930 USD (30000Rs to as high as 65000Rs)

In Nigeria, the costs of cataract surgery vary from as low as 82800 Niara to 990000 Niara (230 USD to as high as 2750 USD)

In Europe, cataract intervention varies considerably, from 318 euros in Hungary to 1087 euros in Italy. (356 USD to 1218 USD)

In China, the total cost of cataract surgery is 900USD


So do you like the great illustrative diagram of phacoemulsification? do you agree with the great leaps that are improving eye treatment? then why not share this article with your friends?!
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