1. Is all vision loss in the elderly caused by cataracts?
There are many possible causes of vision loss in the elderly. Any structural lesion in the visual pathway may cause vision loss, including glaucoma, high myopia, pterygium, corneal disease, vitreous disease, retinal disease (including macular disease) and optic nerve disease, and some brain diseases may also cause vision damage. Therefore, elderly people should not arbitrarily think that their vision loss is caused by cataracts, but must go to the hospital for examination and diagnosis.
2. Is it certain that the elderly will lose their vision if they have cataracts?
There are three main types of age-related cataracts: cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular. Cortical cataracts usually start from the periphery and gradually develop to the center of the crystal, so the effect on vision is not obvious in the early stage, and the main manifestation is the loss of visual sensitivity, and the patient feels like seeing things with a layer of fog, but there may be no loss of vision. The cloudiness of nuclear cataract is concentrated in the central part of the lens. In the early stage, due to the increase of crystal density, myopia can be deepened, and patients usually have the feeling that their visual acuity is improved in the near distance. The posterior subcapsular cataract occurs in the center of the back surface of the crystal, and once it appears, it has a more obvious impact on vision, which is difficult to correct with glasses.
3. Can cataracts be treated by conservative methods such as drugs?
In fact, there are no drugs that can effectively control cataracts, and some of the so-called eye drops that we usually use to treat cataracts have inaccurate effects, and even if they are used, they may not be able to control the development of cataracts. However, some patients’ cataracts are related to systemic conditions, such as blood sugar, rheumatic diseases, hormone use, etc. Controlling these conditions will help control the development of cataracts.
4. Does cataract have to mature before surgery?
The term “mature” is now obsolete. This is mainly because in the past, cataract surgery was performed without ultrasound, and it was easier to perform surgery only when it was “mature”. But nowadays, most cataract surgeries are performed with ultrasound emulsification, which does not require “long maturation”. On the contrary, if the cataract is “too mature”, it may cause some difficulties and complications (such as crystal capsule rupture, glaucoma, corneal edema, etc.), and the result after surgery may not be good. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with a cataract, do not wait until it is “mature” to have surgery. At present, the more common view is that as long as your corrected vision is low (usually below 0,3) due to cataract and it affects your normal life, you can consider surgery.
5.What preparations should be made before cataract surgery?
If cataract is determined to be treated surgically, three examinations should be performed. I. Routine examination for surgery, including blood routine, blood biochemistry, infection index, electrocardiogram and coagulation function examination. Second, routine eye examination, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure, dilated fundus examination and ultrasound examination. Third, special eye examinations, including anterior segment analysis or corneal topography, A ultrasound or IOLMASTER examination, corneal endothelioscopy, and tear duct flushing examination.
6.Is the expensive IOL better than the cheaper one?
There are many types and manufacturers of IOLs, each with its own characteristics. Folded crystals can be implanted through small incisions, without sutures after surgery, healing is fast and astigmatism is small, and they have become the most used IOLs at present. The yellow-colored lens can filter out blue light and avoid damage to the macula from the blue wavelengths of sunlight. Aspheric crystals can reduce the spherical aberration caused by traditional spherical crystals, creating clearer and sharper vision. Multifocal IOLs can achieve better near vision while maintaining distance vision. Although each of these lenses has its own advantages, they also have different requirements for the eyes. In addition, your vision after surgery depends largely on the surgical procedure and the condition of your own retina. If the function of your retina is not good, you will not get good results even with expensive crystals.
7.What are the issues to note after cataract surgery?
If your general condition allows, you do not need to be hospitalized. The surgery can be completed in about 10 minutes, and there is usually no discomfort after the surgery. The eye will be covered on the day of surgery and will not be opened until the next day. The eye should not be exposed to water for one week after surgery and you should avoid outdoor activities, especially during the sandy season. Eye drops are required for one month after surgery and regular review is required by the surgeon. If necessary, lenses can be prescribed 3 months after surgery to achieve the best distance and near vision.