Cataract - Introduction

The eye defect known as a "pearl eye" is usually accompanied by advancing age. Indeed, pearls eyes, or cataracts as they are referred to in medical terminology, usually appear after around 60 years of age, but can also arise as the result of eye injuries or medications that are incompatible with one's body. With a pearl eye, or cataract, there is a clouding of the lens of the eye. This is not only clearly externally recognisable and viewed as an aesthetic defect, but one's sight is also impaired by the ocular "fog" that is present. pearl eyes do not just simply mar one's aesthetic external appearance, they also greatly reduce one's ability to see.

The progression of the fog's thickening should be arrested sooner or later through an operation. Nowadays, a cataract operation is one of the most common operations, harbors few risks, and, when no other eye maladies are present, terminates successfully in the vast majority of cases.¹
Before it comes to that, a number of preliminary examinations are necessary. For example, an examination of the eyes using ultrasonic measuring devices or an analysis of the eye's refractive value via a refractive power assessment may be carried out so that artificial lenses can be prepared. Further necessary preliminary examinations are presented later in this article. Because the examinations widen the eyes with the use of eye drops, it not possible to drive a car at the conclusion of the examinations. The examination lasts just three to four hours; your individual treatment plan should be arranged with your eye specialist at the same time.

The normally outpatient operation requires only around 20 minutes; nevertheless, 3-4 hours should be reserved for treatment. In rarer cases, an inpatient stay of 2-3 days may be advisable. Phacoemulsification and extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) are two commonly used procedures. What is common to both is that the old lens is replaced with a new lens, a so-called intraocular lens. This new lens is either made of soft material or is hard and made of plexiglas. Both procedures are described in greater detail in the article.

After the operation, the eye undergoes an observation period, but the patient can typically return home after a few hours. The eye is covered with a bandage; therefore, it is recommended that you have someone escort you. You should not attempt to drive a car yourself. In the first night after the operation, a lighter eye bandage should be worn. But the use of accompanying medications is also important. The eyes should not come into contact with water when showering; you should obtain approval from your doctor before swimming or taking part in sports. Professional aftercare in consultation with your doctor helps to minimise possible risks. At the end of this article, the various risks are presented in greater depth, but even this cannot replace a visit to your doctor.

After treatment, more than 90% of patients achieved the desired results. This often happens on the first day after the operation, but in most cases in the following days or weeks. Additionally, a corresponding visual aid such as glasses or contact lenses will need to be worn depending on the refractive power of the new lens. Hence, a new lens can typically be worn for an entire lifetime, making further operations unnecessary.