What are cataracts, lens exchange and laser lens exchange?
Silmalaser optometrist Gerli Jones explains
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens that can cause a decrease in visual acuity and/or contrast vision, as well as image distortion or double-contour vision. Cataracts are generally caused by a metabolic disorder and usually develop in older age. In some cases, cataracts may be congenital or develop at a young age for various reasons (such as diabetes or eye trauma).
The only recognised and effective treatment to date is cataract surgery.
If cataracts are causing a decline in your quality of life, it’s the right time to opt for surgery. Cataracts is the most common eye disease today. Cataract surgery is also the most common eye surgery with a high probability of success. Cataract surgery is performed under a microscope and with local anaesthesia in adults.
The newest and most precise method of cataract surgery is laser lens replacement. Laser-assisted cataract surgery is an advanced form of cataract removal that uses a femtosecond laser to assist in several key steps of the procedure.
How does laser lens replacement surgery work?
The surgery involves making incisions in the cornea that are much more precisely shaped and positioned than with the traditional (scalpel or diamond knife) method. Surgical instruments are inserted into the eye though these incisions.
In addition, a laser is used for capsulotomy, or opening the lens capsule. Using a laser, it is possible to create an opening of ideal size and precision in the lens capsule, through which the lens mass and nucleus are removed and a new artificial lens is inserted.
Once an incision into the lens capsule has been made, the laser fragments the lens into precise pieces within a few seconds. This process is called lens fragmentation. Since the laser fragments the lens and reduces the need for ultrasound, this causes less trauma to the eye.
Next, aspiration is used to remove the fragmented lens, and a new artificial lens is placed in the clean lens capsule. The artificial lens is made of a special plastic and does not age or wear out in the eye.
