Cataract Surgery

Clínica Oftalmológica Iradier - C/ Doménico Scarlatti, 3 - 28003 Madrid - +(34) 91.550.24.48

Cataract is the opacification of the lens due to age, or other causes such as ocular trauma or inflammation.

The lens is responsible for 20% of the refractive power of the eye.

The first symptom of a developing cataract is blurred vision due to changes in refractive power of the eye. This condition can sometimes be corrected with glasses. As the cataract develops, the removal of the lens will be necessary to recover previous visual acuity.

Currently, cataract surgery is performed using the Phacoemulsification technique with ultrasound energy. Using only a topical anesthetic (eye drops), a stair-stepped opening of about 1/8 of an inch is made. Then the cataract is broken into microscopic particles and gently suctioned from the eye using the phacoemulsification tip.

Finally, to compensate for the removal of the eyes natural lens, a soft foldable lens is implanted

Also, special lenses to correct presbytia can be used, those are called multifocal lenses. That way, glasses can be avoided for most daily tasks.

No stitches are necessary as the natural outward pressure within the eye seals the stair-stepped opening.

Patients typically feel nothing during or after the procedure. No patching is necessary, and visual recovery begins immediately after the operation.

Phacoemulsification allows patients to continue their daily activities without interruption

For further information about cataract surgery click here.