• Question: what is the best way to get rid of cateracks for an old person?

    Asked by laurajoseph to Amy, Karen, Sarah, Vijay, Will on 12 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Will Reynolds

      Will Reynolds answered on 12 Jun 2012:

      Hi Laura. To get rid of cateracts the lens in the eye needs to be removed and replaced with a new artificial one. This is done using local anethetics (only numbing the area around the eye so the patient stays awake). This is a lot better for older people because they have greater risks than young people under general anethetic. So its probably quite safe. I think some people might be trying to do it with lasers as well, which would be even safer, but Im not sure on that one!

    • Photo: Karen Reed

      Karen Reed answered on 12 Jun 2012:

      Hiya laura – both my parents have had this very simple op. It involved taking out the lens with the catteract and putting in a new one – they had a patch on the eye for a day or two afterwards but very quickly they had much better vision after having it done.

    • Photo: Amy Birch

      Amy Birch answered on 12 Jun 2012:

      Hi Laura!
      This is a very quick and simple operation that can be done whilst you are still awake. The most common way this is done is using ultrasound (high frequency sound waves)!
      The doctor will numb your eye, and then insert a small probe that emits sound waves that cause the cataract to break into tiny pieces. The cataract is then sucked out and a replacement plastic lens is put in to replace the old one. It only takes about 30-45 minutes and your vision should return within 2 days of the surgery.
      Hope this answers your question 🙂

    • Photo: Sarah Martin

      Sarah Martin answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      Hi Laura! I can’t add anything to what the others have already explained about treating cataracts. Cataracts are formed when proteins in the lens of the eye don’t fold up as they should, and instead start forming clumps that become visible because they become large enough to scatter light. They make the lens look milky.

      I had laser eye surgery two years ago to correct my cornea (that is the skin in front of the lens) – it was done with just eye drops to numb pain and I was in the operating theatre for only 8 minutes in total! Now I don’t have to wear glasses any more.

Comments