After the diagnosis of cataract, if the vision loss affects the quality of life, the degree of cataract is serious or combined with fundus disease or closed-angle glaucoma, surgery for cataract is the only internationally recognized effective treatment method.
There are three main methods to remove cloudy lens: 1. Cataract extracapsular extraction combined with IOL implantation: The method is to make a 6-9mm scleral incision, remove the cloudy lens nucleus from the eye as a whole, and then implant an IOL.
2.Cataract ultrasonic emulsion aspiration combined with folded IOL implantation: The main step is to make a 1-3mm incision, extend the ultrasonic emulsion needle into the eye, break the lens nucleus in the eye and aspirate it out of the eye, and then implant a folded IOL. This method is the mainstream cataract treatment method at present, with small incision, fast surgery, less pain for the patient, quick recovery, good surgical effect and lower cost; while using ultrasound to crush the lens nucleus inside the eye, the overflowing ultrasound energy may damage the intraocular tissues at the same time, so this surgery is not suitable for patients with advanced cataract who have overripe cataract and hard lens nucleus. If cataract patients choose to perform ultrasound emulsification surgery, they should not wait until their vision is too low, otherwise they will suffer a lot of intraocular damage and slow recovery after surgery. This surgery is interlocked and done in one step, if not done properly, more serious complications can occur.
3.Femtosecond laser-assisted ultrasonic emulsion cataract extraction: Femtosecond laser for cataract surgery does not mean that the whole process is performed under femtosecond laser, but the incision, capsule tearing and nucleus fragmentation are done by laser during the surgery, and the other steps of the whole surgery process are still the same as the ultrasonic emulsion surgery method. In addition, the incision and tearing capsule are more precise and have better control of postoperative astigmatism, but the surgical operation instruments are complicated, the femtosecond laser equipment is expensive and costly for patients, and it is not currently included in the medical insurance reimbursement.
In conclusion, surgery for cataract is the only internationally recognized and effective treatment method. Different surgical methods can be chosen according to the hardness of the patient’s lens nucleus and economic situation, and it is recommended to have surgery early if it affects vision and to find experienced cataract specialists for surgery.