Cataract Extraction
A cataract is an eye disease in which the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, causing a decrease in vision
The lens is important for focusing light onto the back of the eye (the retina) so that images appear clear and without distortion, and the clouding of this lens during cataract formation distorts our vision. Cataracts are usually a very gradual process of normal aging but can occasionally develop rapidly. They often affect both eyes, but it is not uncommon for a cataract to advance more rapidly in one of the eyes. Cataracts are very common, affecting roughly 60% of people over the age of 60.
The precise reason why cataracts occur is unknown; however, most cataracts appear to be related to changes in the protein structures within the lens that occur over many years and cause the lens to become cloudy. Rarely, cataracts can occur at birth or during an early childhood stage as a result of hereditary enzyme defects, a genetic disease or systemic congenital infections. Severe trauma to the eye, eye surgery, or intraocular inflammation can also cause cataracts to develop more rapidly. Other factors that may lead to development of cataracts at an earlier age include excessive ultraviolet light exposure, exposure to ionizing radiation, diabetes, smoking, or the use of certain medications, such as oral, topical, or inhaled steroids. Some medications can be (weakly) associated with cataracts, such as a long term use of statins and phenothiazines.
When people develop cataracts they begin to have difficulty doing some activities that require clear vision, like driving at night, reading, or traveling. Therefore a consultation with an eye surgeon is recommended.
If you would like to learn more information about Cataract Surgery in Portugal, contact us through email, by calling +351 220 973 751, +351 211 379 718, +351 911 046 197, or by filling out our form. You can also contact us through our free call service to your right.
Cataract development is often equated to looking through a dirty windshield of a car or smearing grease over the lens of a camera. Cataracts may cause a variety of complaints and visual changes, including blurred vision, difficulty with glare (often with bright sun or automobile headlights while driving at night), dull color vision, increased nearsightedness accompanied by frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, and occasionally double vision in one eye.
A change in glasses may initially help once vision begins to change from a cataract; however, as the cataract continues to become more dense and cloudy, vision also becomes more cloudy, and stronger glasses or contact lenses will no longer improve sight.
Cataracts typically develop gradually and are usually not painful and not associated with any eye redness or other symptoms unless they become extremely advanced. Rapid and/or painful changes in vision raise suspicion for other eye diseases and should be evaluated by an eye-care professional or surgeon.
Cataracts are detected by the finding of lens opacification during a medical eye examination by an eye-care professional. The abnormal lens can be seen using a variety of specialized viewing instruments. Using a variety of tests, your doctor is able to tell how much a cataract may be affecting your vision. Usual eye tests include testing visual acuity, glare sensitivity, color vision, contrast sensitivity, and a thorough examination of all other parts of the eye. Your doctor will make sure vision loss is not due to other common eye problems, including diabetes, glaucoma, or macular degeneration.
Most cataracts associated with aging develop slowly, and many patients may not notice visual loss until it is fairly advanced. Despite being told that you have cataracts, it is not imperative to have surgery to remove them until they begin to affect your vision.
The development of cataracts is unpredictable; some cataracts remain less dense and never progress to the point where they cause cloudy vision and require treatment, while others progress more quickly. Thus, the decision and timing to proceed with cataract surgery is individualized for each patient. Your doctor will be able to tell you how much of your vision loss is due to cataracts and the type of visual recovery that may be expected if surgery is chosen.
If you would like to learn more information about Cataract Diagnosis, contact us through email, by calling +351 220 973 751, +351 211 379 718, +351 911 046 197, or by filling out our form. You can also contact us through our free call service to your right.
Eye-care professionals may mention during a routine eye exam that you have early cataract development even if you are not yet experiencing visual symptoms. Although your doctor will be able to tell when you when you first begin to develop cataracts, you will generally be the first person to notice changes in your vision that may require cataract surgery.
Clouding of the lens may start to be seen at any age, but it is uncommon before the age of 40. However, a large majority of people will not begin to have symptoms from their cataracts until many years after they begin to develop. Cataracts can be safely observed without treatment until you notice changes in your vision.
Cataracts surgery is recommended for most individuals who have significant vision loss and are symptomatic secondary to cataract. If you have another eye disease unrelated to cataracts that limits your vision, your ophthalmologist may not recommend surgery.
Sometimes after trauma to the eye or previous eye surgery, a cataract may make it difficult for your eye-care professional to see the retina at the back of the eye; in these cases, it may still be appropriate to remove the cataract so that further retinal or optic nerve evaluation and treatment can occur. The mode of surgery can be tailored to individuals based on coexisting medical problems. Cataract surgery is generally performed with minimal sedation and typically takes less than 30 minutes. Therefore the surgery does not put significant strain on the heart or the lungs.
Prior refractive surgery such as LASIK is not a contraindication to cataract surgery.
If you would like to learn more information about Cataract Surgery in Portugal, contact us through email, by calling +351 220 973 751, +351 211 379 718, +351 911 046 197, or by filling out our form. You can also contact us through our free call service to your right.
The standard cataract surgical procedure is performed in a hospital or in an ambulatory surgery center on an outpatient basis. The most common form of cataract surgery today involves a process called phacoemulsification. With the use of an operating microscope, your surgeon will make a very small incision in the surface of the eye in or near the cornea. A thin ultrasound probe, which is often confused with a laser by patients, is inserted into the eye and uses ultrasonic vibrations to dissolve (phacoemulsify) the clouded lens. These tiny fragmented pieces are then suctioned out through the same ultrasound probe. Once the cataract is removed, an artificial lens is placed into the thin capsular bag that the cataract previously occupied. This lens is essential to help your eye focus after surgery.
As the natural lens plays a vital role in focusing light for clear vision, artificial lens implantation at the time of cataract surgery is necessary as a replacement for the natural lens to yield the best visual results. Because the implant is placed in or near the original position of the removed natural lens, vision is restored, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and image size are not affected. Artificial lenses usually remain permanently in place, require no maintenance or handling, and are neither felt by the patient nor noticed by others.
There are a variety of intraocular lens styles available for implantation, including monofocal, toric, and multifocal intraocular lenses.
Prior to the day of surgery, your surgeon will discuss the steps that will occur during surgery. Your ophthalmologist or a staff member will ask you a variety of questions about your medical history and perform a brief physical exam. You should discuss with your ophthalmologist which, if any, of your routine medications you should avoid prior to surgery. Prior to surgery, several calculations will be made to determine the appropriate power of intraocular lens to implant. A specific artificial lens is chosen based on the length of the eye and the curvature of the cornea (the clear portion of the front of the eye).
It is important to remember to follow all of your preoperative instructions, which will usually include not eating or drinking anything after midnight the day prior to your surgery. As cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, arrangements should be made with family or friends to transport you home after the surgery is complete.
Most cataract surgery occurs in either an ambulatory surgery center or a hospital. You will be required to report several hours before the scheduled time for your surgery. You will meet with the anesthesiologist who will work with the ophthalmologist to determine the type of sedation that will be necessary. Most cataract surgery is done with only minimal sedation without having to put you to sleep. Numbing drops or an injection around the eye will be used to decrease sensation of the eye.
During the actual procedure, there will be several people in the operating room in addition to your ophthalmologist. These include anesthesiologists and operating-room technicians. While cataract surgery does not normally involve a significant amount of pain, medications are used to minimize the amount of discomfort. The actual removal of the clouded lens will take approximately 20 minutes. You may notice the sensation of pressure from the various instruments used during the procedure. After leaving the operating room, you will be brought to a recovery room where your doctor will prescribe several eyedrops that you will need to take for a few weeks postoperatively. While you may notice some discomfort, most patients do not experience significant pain following surgery; if you do you experience decreasing vision or significant pain, you should contact your ophthalmologist immediately.
If you would like to learn more information about Cataract Surgery in Portugal, contact us through email, by calling +351 220 973 751, +351 211 379 718, +351 911 046 197, or by filling out our form. You can also contact us through our free call service to your right.
Following surgery, you will need to return for visits within the first few days and again within the first few weeks after surgery. During this time period, you will be using several eyedrops which help protect against infection and inflammation. Within several days, most people notice that their vision is improving and that they are able to return to work. During the several office visits that follow, your doctor will monitor for complications. Once your vision has stabilized, your doctor will fit you with glasses if needed. The type of intraocular lens you have implanted will determine to some extent the type of glasses required for optimal vision.
Doctors who perform this medical procedure
Coordinator of the Ophthalmology Service at Hospital Lusíadas Porto
With a degree in Medicine by Faculdade de Medicina do Porto, and a Specialists' Degree in Ophthalmology by Ordem dos Médicos, Dr. Rui Martinho was a Fellow of the European Board and is the Coordinator of the Ophthalmology Service at Hospital Lusíadas Porto (located at Boavista avenue) since 1998.
Member of the Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Areas of interest: Surgical Retina, Refractive Surgery (LASIK), Cataracts, Laser
Ophthalmologist at Hospital Lusíadas Porto
With a degree in Medicine, and an Ophthalmology Specialist, Dr. Jorge Palmares works with Hospital Lusíadas Porto (located at Boavista Avenue) since 1998. Coordinator for the Portuguese Group of Inflammation, Member of the Establishment Commission of the Ophthalmologys' College of Ordem dos Médicos and Country Liaison - Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society, was a Member of the Ophthalmologys' College's Board.
Main areas of interest: Eye inflammation, Ocular surface diseases, Cornea and Cataracts surgeries.