Cataract Surgery

About Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes the eye's natural lens once it has become clouded, a condition called a cataract, and replaces it with a clear artificial intraocular lens to restore vision. The most common technique, phacoemulsification, uses a small ultrasonic probe inserted through a tiny incision to break up the clouded lens into fragments, which are then gently suctioned out before the folded artificial lens is inserted and unfolds into place, all typically performed under local or topical anesthesia in under half an hour. Cataracts usually develop gradually with age, though they can also result from injury, certain medications, or underlying conditions such as diabetes, and are generally diagnosed when a patient notices blurred vision, glare or halos around lights, faded colors, or difficulty with night driving. A range of intraocular lens options exist, including standard monofocal lenses and premium multifocal or toric lenses that can also reduce dependence on glasses for presbyopia or astigmatism. Recovery is usually quick, with most patients noticing improved vision within a day or two, though full stabilization can take several weeks. Eye centers in India perform very high volumes of cataract surgery using advanced phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted techniques.