Phacoemulsification surgery is a very common cataract eye surgery that is used to remove cataracts safely and at the same time restore the vision. It is a modern approach to eye surgery that is different from the traditional method.
Why Is Phaco Surgery Needed?
The lens of the eye behind the iris is responsible to focus the light on the retina to produce clear vision. But with age and certain factors, the lens loses its power and cannot change its shape. The lens gets harder with age and cataract forms.
The lens gradually becomes cloudy as it accumulates the dead cells. This further deteriorates the vision power and the patient experiences weak and cloudy vision. The light gets scattered instead of focusing on one spot. This ultimately leads to a very cloudy vision.
Phacoemulsification Surgery Procedure
To help one understand the phaco surgery procedure here is the simple guide.
- In this surgery, the eye surgeon makes a small incision at the edge of the cornea to create an opening in the membrane, surrounding the lens. Into this small space formed, a small ultrasonic probe is inserted that breaks the cloudy lens.
- The instrument gives out ultrasonic speed to delicately chop the entire lens and dissolve them into very tiny fragments. These tiny fragments are then taken out of the eye with the help of an attachment.
- After removing the lens particles, an intraocular lens implant is then implanted. It is positioned in the exact place of the lens into the lens capsule. This implant is inserted through a corneal incision. The implant then is positioned in its place.
This procedure can be done in a well-equipped eye clinic or an eye hospital. This treatment normally does not require the patient to stay in hospitals. It involves local anesthesia.
To know about the best place for phaco surgery in Delhi, consult with an experienced doctor.
Recovery Period After Phaco Surgery
In the phaco surgery, the incision made is very small. It does not require any stitches and heals on its own. The eye surgeon will prescribe some eye drops that the patient has to take to get the healing fast. The eye drops mostly are antibiotics and steroids. Some anti-inflammatory medicines are also given. These eye drops are given to prevent eye infection and inflammation.
The patients may need to continue such eye drops for 3 to 6 weeks depending upon the eye condition after the surgery. The vision starts showing improvement within the first week and becomes steady over the next 4 weeks.
Why Phaco Surgery Is Mostly Preferred?
Less Or No Stitches
In the conventional surgical procedure to remove the cataract, the incision measures 11 mm and it requires stitches. These stitches are then removed later. On the other hand, phaco does not involve stitches.
More Stability
In the phaco surgery, the circular opening of the anterior lens is more stable than the irregular openings of the traditional method.
Less Chance Of Astigmatism
With the conventional cataract removal, there is a risk of getting surgically induced astigmatism. This does not usually happen with phaco surgery.
More Accurate
Phacoemulsification is a fast, accurate and less complicated method of cataract treatment. The patient need not stay in the hospital for days. It also lessens the economic burden of a patient and gives fast results. Also, patients get back to normal life quickly after the procedure.
Safe Surgery
Any serious sight-threatening complications are very rare with phaco surgery. This is why doctors and patients prefer phaco for cataract removal.
Common complications after cataract removal such as vitreous loss, wound leak, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis are less known to occur with phaco.
Phacoemulsification is known as the best solution to offer for cataract removal. Just make sure you are in the right hand for the surgery.