Cataract surgery of Choice: Phacoemulsification

Phacoemulsification or Phaco cataract surgery is a modern innovation to remove cloudy lenses by using an ultrasonic device that emulsifies and removes the diseased lens. After phacoemulsification, an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to replace the eye?s natural lens.

A cataract affects the crystalline lens of the eye which is responsible for focusing light on the retina. There is no medical cure for cataract; glasses can help temporarily to improve vision but the only way to restore vision is to undergo cataract surgery.

Aside from phacoemulsification, there are other types of surgery for cataract including the rarely performed intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) and the extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE).

All of these procedures have a common goal of removing the diseased lens, the difference is in the way they approach the extraction of the opacified lens. Cataract extraction via ICCE has been outdated by ECCE and phaco, thus the procedure is rarely ever done.

Phaco emulsification is the cataract surgery of choice in the US. This modern eye surgery can be pricey but worth it because of reduced complications and faster healing time.

Preparation for Surgery

Before the procedure, a topical anesthesia is commonly used such as tetracaine eye drops or lidocaine gel. For children, general anesthesia is required for any eye procedure.

Sterile techniques are practiced to prepare the area for surgery such as sterile drapes as well as sterile gowns, gloves for the surgeon and assistant surgeons, as well as scrub nurses.

Surgical Technique

During phacoemulsification, a small incision is done to allow access of the micro-surgical instruments into the lens aperture.

The surgeon then removes the anterior surface of the lens capsule that contains the crystalline lens.

The phaco probe which has a steel or titanium tip is an ultrasonic device powered by ultrasound frequency that can sculpt and dissolve the cataract; the tip is also equipped with a suction device that aspirates the emulsified lens particles and cortical matter. Only the anterior capsule is removed in this procedure while the posterior capsule remains intact.

After the emulsification of the opacified lenses and removal of cortical particles, an IOL is inserted in the remaining lens capsule.

After the Surgery

Once the patient is out of the minor operating room, the patient is monitored in a recovery area. The patient can go home once her vital signs remain stable but he/she is advised to rest at home for 24 hours and return for follow-up with her surgeon the following day.

Complications are part of the risk in any surgery but it is not common in phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Most patients regain visual acuity post-surgery. Life literally becomes brighter and clearer for these patients.

Source: http://health.ezinemark.com/cataract-surgery-of-choice-phacoemulsification-7d2f1dbe0a1b.html

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