Frequently asked question about cataract surgery:

1- I have cataract. When should I have surgery?
If the cataract decreases vision in such a way that it does not allow you to perform the activities you normally do, surgery is necessary. In the case of congenital cataracts, you should be operated as soon as possible in order to reduce the problem of “lazy eye”.
2- I’ve heard that you have to wait until the cataract is completely formed before having surgery. Is it true?
[.es] Todo lo contrario. Para poder recurrir a la facoemulsificación, que actualmente es la mejor técnica para eliminar las cataratas, no hay que esperar a que se forme completamente. En cuanto tengas los primeros síntomas acude al oftalmólogo para una correcta evaluación. No, it is not true. To be able to perform phacoemulsification, which is currently the best technique to remove cataracts, do not wait for the cataract to be fully formed. As soon as you get the first symptoms, you should go to the ophthalmologist for proper evaluation.
3- Once a cataract has been removed, can it grow back?
No. Imposible, ya que el cristalino afectado, ha sido sustituido por una lente intraocular que no puede opacificarse. La llamada “Catarata secundaria”, es más una opacidad de una membrana que sostiene el lente intraocular y que se puede retirar mediante un procedimiento simple y sencillo de YAG Laser.[.en]No, it is impossible, given that the affected crystalline lens has been replaced by an intraocular lens that cannot become opaque. The so-called “secondary cataract” is a clouding of the capsule that covers the intraocular lens and it can be removed by a simple and easy procedure of YAG laser.
4- Which technique is better, phacoemulsification or the conventional technique?
The results are similar in trained hands with experience. Phacoemulsification enables quick recovery and going back to daily tasks faster than the conventional technique. It is the technique of choice.
5- I have diabetes. Can I have surgery?
Diabetic people can suffer from diabetic retinopathy and sometimes cataracts are so opaque that they do not allow a good review of the fundus. It is important to check the retina properly, so in these cases cataract surgery is necessary. Diabetic people are able to have surgery
6- Is there any way to prevent or to treat cataracts without having surgery?
No. There is no way to prevent cataracts with drops or special diets. The clouding of the crystalline lens is a normal phenomenon associated with age. When it becomes so opaque that it does not allow to do normal activities, surgery needs to be done.
7- Are there any complications from cataract surgery?
As in any surgery, minimally invasive as it is, there are complications. Approximately in 1 in every 10000 cases, the patient may get an intraocular infection or have massive bleeding inside the eye. However, the advancement of technology allows it to be a safe operation and risks have been reduced dramatically. The cataract surgery is one of the most practiced in the world and one that provides greater satisfaction to patients.
8- Will I be wearing glasses after cataract surgery?
The intraocular lens implant allows preoperative correction of the ametropic error. However, the use of corrective bifocals lenses may be necessary to improve the distance and near vision.
9- Are cataracts operated by laser?
No. Laser cataract surgery is being tested and evaluated as a technology in a phase of study. Currently, ultrasound is being used to break the cataract and modern surgical techniques include “Prechop” maneuvers, in order to decrease the amount of ultrasound used and therefore postoperative complications. To experienced hands, it is the technique of choice.

There are two types of treatments to cure cataracts, which will be described as follows



There is the normal technique known as “Extracapsular Cataract Extraction”, which requires an incision of 11mm at the top of the eye to remove the entire cataract, without fragmenting it, and then implanting the intraocular rigid lens and suture with 5 Nylon stitches. In recent years, the technology available and techniques used for cataract surgery have been evolving and the conventional cataract extraction surgery has been in many cases replaced by ultrasound; known as phacoemulsification. To perform an ultrasound cataract surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision equal to or less than 2.75mm in the eye, through which the surgeon introduces an instrument that has an ultrasound needle that vibrates and breaks up the cataract into small pieces. These pieces are then removed by suction to clear the eye.
 
phacoemulsification
Conventional