Cataract

• Aging.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun. For this reason, it is very important to wear sunglasses.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can cause cataracts by changing the structure of the proteins in the natural lens.
• Long-term use of cortisone medications or cortisone drops.
• Alcohol and cigarette consumption.
• Eye trauma and blows to the eye.
• Uveitis disease.
• Radiation therapy to the head region.

• Advanced Cataract: A mature cataract that causes vision loss and requires surgical intervention.
• Moderate Cataract: Cataract that causes mild vision loss.
• Beginning Cataract.

Cataract cannot be treated with medication. Cataract surgery is the only cure. It is performed with the phacoemulsification (FAKO for short) technique. In the FAKO technique, the cataractous lens is removed by entering the eye through a 2.2 mm gap and an artificial lens is placed into the eye.

1. Phacoemulsification (FAKO): This is a common procedure in which the cataract is broken up and removed using ultrasonic energy. A small incision is made and an ultrasonic probe is inserted into the eye. The probe breaks up the cataract into a liquid that is then sucked out. An artificial lens is then placed in place of the cataract.
2. Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE): In extracapsular cataract extraction, the anterior capsule of the lens is partially opened and the cataract is removed through this capsule. This is a more traditional approach in some cases and has been replaced by less invasive methods such as phacoemulsification (phaco) with modern techniques.
3. Intracapsular Cataract Extraction (ICCE): In this method, the cataract is removed together with its capsule. However, ICCE is now rarely used because more modern and effective methods are available.

The lenses used in cataract operations can generally be divided into seven main types:

1. Monofocal Lenses: These lenses provide clear vision at a single focal length. They are usually used as lenses that correct farsightedness (myopia) or nearsightedness (hyperopia). Monofocal lenses are usually selected according to the person's preferred focal length and usually cannot correct nearsightedness while correcting farsightedness or vice versa.
2. Multifocal Lenses: These lenses provide clear vision at more than one focal length. Multifocal lenses can correct both distance and nearsightedness.
3. Toric Lenses: Can correct astigmatism (a visual impairment caused by the irregular shape of the cornea).
4. Trifocal Lenses: These lenses provide clear vision at far, intermediate and near at the same time without glasses. The computer screen with an intermediate distance is also seen clearly without glasses.
5. Phakic Lenses: These lenses are placed between the pupil and the lens of the eye to provide clear vision without glasses. If excimer laser cannot be performed due to high eye number, these lenses can be used to avoid wearing glasses. Far, near and astigmatism can be corrected.
6. AddOn Lenses: These are the lenses that are placed on the lenses of people who have previously undergone cataract surgery and who have been fitted with a single-focal lens, which allows them to see near without glasses.
7. AddOf Lenses: They have ringless structures. Light reflections are very low. They are new generation multifocal lenses.

Which type of lens to use depends on the patient's needs, lifestyle and the surgeon's preference. Patients and surgeons work together to decide which type of lens is most appropriate before the operation.

Recovery Time in Cataract Surgery:

The time it takes for the patient to regain normal vision after surgery varies depending on the difficulty of the operation and the hardness of the cataract. Within 7 to 15 days very good vision is achieved. The patient recovers completely in 15 to 30 days.