Cataract Surgery Archives - Page 4 of 6

Risk Factors of Cataract — Discover What You Should Know

June 14, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

It’s most likely that you know of at least one person who has cataracts, if not someone who has already undergone cataract surgery. Perhaps you yourself have just been told you’re developing a cataract. Cataracts and cataract surgery are very common around the globe. If you’ve not yet started developing cataracts, you may be interested to know what the known cataract risk factors are, and whether any of them apply to you. Keep reading to find out.

Risk Factors of Cataract

The risk factors of a cataract are just that – risk factors. It doesn’t mean that if one or more of these factors are relevant to you that you are destined to develop a cataract requiring cataract surgery. It just means that you’re more likely to get cataracts compared to someone without those particular cataract risk factors. Conversely, even if you’re pleased to report that none of the known risk factors of cataract applies to you, this doesn’t mean you’re instantly in the clear. Here are some of the known cataract risk factors.

Age

The reason cataracts and cataract surgery are so common is that everyone ages. And just like wrinkles and grey hairs, the development of cataracts is most strongly associated with increasing age. It’s not fully understood exactly why cataracts grow as we get older, but experts believe it’s at least partly to do with oxidative stress on the crystalline lens of the eye (which is where the cataract forms). As we age, our bodies become less able to combat the effects of oxidation on the lens. Decreases in the production of protective compounds and an increase in damaging compounds in the eye as we get older can result in a loss of transparency of the lens fibres. As this progresses, the gradual cloudiness of the lens becomes a cataract.

Another underlying factor of age as one of the risk factors for cataract is that age is also typically associated with other diseases. Certain systemic diseases and certain medications, as we’ll find out later, can increase the risk of cataract.

Family history of cataracts

Researchers have found some genetic links to the development of cataracts. Though there does appear to be some inherited predisposition to the early onset of age-related cataract and needing cataract surgery at a younger age, this association is not fully understood. However, the influence of genetics on congenital cataracts is a little clearer. Congenital cataracts occur within the first year after birth, and up to half of all congenital cataract cases are thought to be inherited.

It is also possible for cataracts to be part of a syndrome or larger eye condition, which may be genetic. These include retinitis pigmentosa and neurofibromatosis.

Smoking

In addition to increasing your risk of other ocular diseases, tobacco smoking is one of the known cataract risk factors. It is thought that the toxins introduced to the body through cigarettes can accelerate oxidative damage of the crystalline lens.

Hypertension

Studies have found an association between high blood pressure (hypertension) and an increased risk of cataracts. There appears to be a positive correlation, meaning the higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk of cataracts. There is also a link between suffering from hypertension for a longer period of time and an increased risk of cataract.

How this relationship works is not exactly understood. One hypothesis is that certain anti-hypertension medications can induce cataracts, while other studies have also found hypertension can cause whole-body inflammation, which could impact the crystalline lens. There may also be a genetic component that could predispose a person to both hypertension and cataract formation.

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the well-known cataract risk factors. Furthermore, diabetes can also increase the risk of complications during cataract surgery.

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease involving impaired insulin production by the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone responsible for allowing the cells of the body to uptake glucose (sugars) from the bloodstream. Without sufficient insulin, people with diabetes end up with excess glucose circulating in their bodies. This can result in various complications, such as foot disease and retinopathy (disease of the retina of the eyeball), and cataracts.

High blood glucose concentrations can tip the balance of water content in the crystalline lens, resulting in what’s sometimes called a “sugar cataract”.

Managing blood glucose levels well may help to reduce a diabetic person’s risk of developing a cataract.

Eye trauma

Trauma to the eye can come in different forms. These include inflammation from an eye disease such as uveitis; physical trauma, whether blunt or sharp; eye surgery; or electrocution. Such traumatic events can, through various mechanisms, disrupt the arrangement or integrity of the lens fibres, resulting in a loss of transparency and the development of a cataract.

Obesity

Obesity is not typically mentioned at the top of cataract risk factors, but studies have demonstrated a positive association. It is thought that an overweight body releases certain chemicals from excess fat tissues. This chemical, known as leptin, may induce oxidative stress and induce cataract formation.

Alcohol consumption

The relationship between alcohol intake and developing cataracts appears to be not as straightforward as the other cataract risk factors. Studies show that the higher the alcohol consumption, the higher the risk of needing cataract surgery. However, some studies have also found that moderate alcohol consumption (less than 20g of alcohol a day), could offer a protective effect against cataract formation. This may be due to the antioxidant properties of alcohol.

As mentioned previously, it is not possible to guarantee that you’ll avoid cataract surgery forever. However, by addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking and managing systemic conditions well, you can reduce your risk of developing cataracts.

Call us on (03) 9070 5753 today.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Age-Related or Senile Cataract: Pathology, Mechanism, and Management.
https://austinpublishinggroup.com/clinical-ophthalmology/fulltext/ajco-v3-id1067.php

Genetic Origins of Cataract.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/817183

Hypertension and Risk of Cataract: A Meta-analysis.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269188028_Hypertension_and_Risk_of_Cataract_A_Meta-Analysis

Cataracts.
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts

cataract surgery recovery time melbourne

Tips for Your Cataract Surgery Recovery Time

May 30, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

If you’ve just had cataract surgery, you’re now in what’s considered the post-operative period. Your eye surgeon has probably already given you an idea of what to expect as your eye heals, and how long your cataract surgery recovery time is anticipated. As there are a few factors determining your cataract surgery recovery time, speak to your eye surgeon if you have questions specific to your situation.

Factors Affecting Cataract Surgery Recovery Time

For most uncomplicated cataract surgery procedures, full recovery is complete after about 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, if your vision or eye is not healing as rapidly as your friend’s or partner’s when they underwent cataract surgery, don’t be alarmed. Cataract surgery recovery time can be influenced by factors such as:

Your body’s ability to heal
How much rest you were able to get during the post-operative recovery period
Your occupation will affect how soon you’ll be able to return to work
Whether there were any complications during your cataract surgery
Your general health

Sometimes luck also plays a part during cataract surgery recovery. Although no one goes looking for an eye infection or knock to the face, accidents do happen. Encountering an infection or trauma while your eye is healing will unsurprisingly set back your recovery time.

Although complete recovery after cataract surgery is typically cited as up to 6 weeks, many people find their vision is quite clear even within several hours of having their operation. If this isn’t you, you can still expect your vision to be sharp within the following week or two. However, your prescription may still be shifting for up to an additional 4 weeks, so your eye surgeon will advise against updating any glasses until your sight has properly stabilised.

Your eye is likely to feel dry, gritty, and irritated immediately after the cataract operation. It will probably also be bloodshot and red over the sclera (whites). These signs and symptoms are expected to settle and fade over the few weeks as your eye recovers.

Many are interested to know when they might return to driving after having cataract surgery. Even if your sight feels perfect the day after your procedure, wait until you’re given the all-clear by your eye surgeon. You may feel that your sight is subjectively much better than compared prior to cataract surgery (and it probably is!). However, you don’t know whether your vision meets the road authority requirements and whether it’s safe to drive until you have a review appointment with your surgeon. Typically, you will have a review exam the day after your operation, a week after, and about a month after that.

If you work an office job then you may be okay to return to the desk within the week. However, those who work in environments that may expose you to debris or contaminants, or the risk of physical trauma to the face, maybe advised to take a longer period of leave. If your vocation has vision requirements, such as an airline pilot or armed forces, this is another consideration as your sight stabilises after cataract surgery.

Tips to Maximise Your Cataract Surgery Recovery

Although neither you nor your surgeon can control absolutely everything that happens during the post-operative healing period, there are some steps you can take to optimise your recovery.

Use all your medications as directed.

Your cataract surgeon will give you one or more prescriptions for medicated eye drops to use during the healing period. The purpose of these drops is to reduce your risk of an eye infection and to help control inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s natural response to surgery, but can also delay healing.

Rest as much as possible.

Putting undue strain on your body can interfere with its healing. Leave any heavy lifting to someone else, including shopping bags, and stay away from the gym for a few weeks. Even house chores such as mopping or vacuuming should be avoided while your eye heals.

Keep your eyes clean.

You will want to avoid any foreign substances or particles getting near your eye as it’s healing. This includes soaps, cosmetics, and lotions. A less commonly identified source of potential infection is water. The water found in swimming pools, saunas, spas, and at the beach is all unsterile. Avoid splashing water in your face or exposing yourself to the steam room until your cataract surgeon advises you that it’s okay.

Be vigilant.

If something doesn’t feel right with your sight, don’t delay. It is normal to have some redness and soreness in the first few days after your cataract operation. However, you shouldn’t expect any of your symptoms to deteriorate with time, only improve. If you feel that your eye is becoming redder, more painful, or your sight is getting blurrier, contact your cataract surgeon immediately. You should also be wary of any flashing lights in the periphery of your vision, any blacked or greyed out areas of your sight, or seeing any floating specks or lines. If you’re unable to get hold of your cataract surgeon at the time, visit your local optometrist or attend the emergency department of the nearest eye hospital.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Recovery, cataract surgery. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/recovery/

8 tips to reduce cataract surgery recovery time. https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-au/conditions/cataract-surgery-recovery/

Is Cataract Surgery Painful? Ways To Manage Discomfort

May 17, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

One of the major concerns many people have leading up to cataract surgery is “is cataract surgery painful?”. As the eye is such a delicate and sensitive organ, it’s not uncommon to be apprehensive about any eye care procedure. With cataract surgery being such a frequently performed operation in Australia, it’s most likely that you know at least one person who has undergone this eye care procedure. Perhaps they reported a smooth and uncomplicated operation, or perhaps they regaled you with stories of unbearable pain during the surgery.

If you’re considering cataract surgery yourself in the near future, the idea of pain around the eye can be highly unpleasant. So, is cataract surgery usually painful or is pain something you need to consider at all?

The Cataract Surgery Operation in Brief

Cataract surgery in Australia is the most commonly performed eye care operation. Since cataracts are a natural part of ageing, you can expect to develop some degree of cataract eventually. However, this does not necessarily mean cataract surgery is inevitable. Some people reach the end of their life span still feeling quite content with their vision despite the presence of cataracts, and it never becomes necessary to remove them.

If you have developed visually significant cataracts that bother you or interfere with your daily tasks, your GP or primary eye care professional (your optometrist), can refer you to a cataract surgeon.

The cataract operation is typically straightforward and uncomplicated. Your pupils, the black circle in the centre of your coloured iris, will be dilated with pharmaceutical eye drops. The pupils need to be widened as the cataract sits behind it. If your pupils do not dilate adequately with eye drops, the surgeon may use another technique, such as an expander ring to make sure the iris is not in the way of the surgery.

Your eye area will be numbed with either topical eyedrops or a local anaesthetic injection. If you’re feeling anxious or restless, you can be offered a light sedative to help you relax.

Once you’re comfortable, an incision is made in the cornea, through which various instruments will be inserted to work on the cataract. The cataract is fragmented into smaller pieces and then suctioned out from the eye. Once it’s removed, an artificial lens implant known as an intraocular lens is inserted into its place, through the same corneal incision. This incision typically then self-seals.

Is Cataract Surgery Painful?

Cataract surgery is not typically considered to be a painful operation, mostly due to the use of effective anaesthesia. However, the sensations of pain and discomfort can be subjective and there are some factors that can increase your likelihood of experiencing some degree of pain. What you might feel as discomfort might be felt as pain by another person.

Different eyes and bodies can also respond differently to medications or procedures. For example, the eye drops used to dilate the pupil can be felt as a mild to strong stinging in some, while others notice no discomfort at all. Furthermore, in one individual, one eye might find the drops sting but are not bothered when the other eye is treated.

There are some steps that your cataract surgeon can take to improve your comfort leading up to, and during, your cataract surgery. Some surgeons will apply a topical anaesthetic eyedrop to minimise any stinging from the dilating drops. Other ways to minimise your likelihood of discomfort during the operation can be as simple as ensuring the adhesive sterile drapes applied around your face aren’t pulled away roughly when the surgery is over.

Studies have found that patients with pre-existing anxiety and who are taking anti-anxiety medications may have a heightened perception of pain due to the way their medications affect pain receptors. Those who undergo surgery for particularly advanced, dense cataracts, also tend to be more likely to experience some degree of pain during their surgery. There are additional pain-relieving drugs or sedatives that can be used during cataract surgery for patients thought to be an increased risk of pain or significant discomfort.

Is Cataract Surgery Painful Afterward?

Once your cataract operation is over, the hard part is done but there are still a number of weeks for recovery ahead. Immediately after your surgery, you can expect to experience some discomfort, though this isn’t usually identified as pain. Your eye may feel gritty, dry, and look red and bloodshot. Cataract surgery is known to have the potential to exacerbate or induce dry eye disease. Dry eye disease is its own condition, which can cause sensations ranging from a mild dryness of the eye to debilitating pain.

Your body’s natural response to any surgery is inflammation and wound healing. However, inflammation in the eye can be another source of pain or discomfort, especially if it’s excessive or poorly controlled. Some people also experience increased glare sensitivity in the following weeks to months after their cataract surgery, which can be painful in very bright environments.

There are ways you can reduce your post-operative discomfort. Tear lubricants can be used if your eye is feeling irritated or dry while using your prescribed post-op eye drops will help to manage inflammation. Oral painkillers can also be useful.

If you’re still experiencing an unanticipated level of pain or discomfort after your cataract surgery, make sure you speak to your ophthalmologist. Call us on (03) 9070 5753 today.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Cataract Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-au/conditions/cataract-surgery/

15 Things You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery
https://visioneyeinstitute.com.au/eyematters/15-things-need-know-cataract-surgery/

Cataract surgery
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cataract-surgery

what happens during cataract surgery melbourne

What Happens During Cataract Surgery? Know What To Expect

April 30, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

When vision problems start to arise due to cataracts that can no longer be corrected with glasses or contact lenses, it may be time to consider cataract surgery. Despite cataract surgery being the most common eye procedure around the world, not everyone understands what happens during cataract surgery and what they can expect from this procedure.

The fear of the unknown can make you feel anxious and hesitant to proceed with a cataract operation, despite knowing that it will improve your sight. Keep reading to find out what happens during cataract surgery.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery: Steps of the Operation

Cataract surgery is usually a quick, painless, uncomplicated procedure. There are a few factors that can increase your risk of complications, but your ophthalmologist will be sure to discuss these with you ahead of time, including what you might be able to do to reduce your risk.

Modern cataract surgery falls into two techniques – phacoemulsification or femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). Regardless of which method your ophthalmologist prefers to use in your circumstances, you will have your eye dilated and numbed. The dilation is done with pharmaceutical eye drops that will widen the pupil, allowing the surgeon to access the cloudy lens behind it. In some cases, the eye drops will not be sufficient to widen the pupil enough, so the surgeon may need to use other interventions, such as pupil dilating instruments. The numbing of your eye is achieved with either topical anaesthetic eyedrops or with a local nerve block injection.

Once you’ve been made comfortable on the operating table, you’ll be asked to fixate on a target overhead. This will help to keep your eye steady as the surgeon works.

A small incision will be made at the edge of your cornea. If your surgeon is using conventional phacoemulsification, this will be performed with a handheld bladed instrument; if you’re undergoing a femtosecond laser-assisted operation, it will be using the femtosecond laser.

The next step is to open the membranous capsule that holds your cloudy lens and the cataract. This is performed with either another manual tool or the femtosecond laser, depending on which technique of cataract surgery your surgeon is using.

From here, the cataract needs to be fragmented into pieces small enough to be suctioned out from the eye. The phacoemulsification technique gets its name from this step, as the term describes the use of a high-frequency ultrasound probe that breaks the cataract into tiny pieces. However, proponents of the femtosecond laser technique prefer the FLACS method because the introduction of too much energy into the eye during the phacoemulsification step has the potential to damage some anatomical structures, cause increased inflammation, and result in some vision problems post-operatively. During femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, the laser is first used to fragment the cataract, and then the ultrasound probe is applied later to finish the step. The use of the laser first means that less energy is required during phacoemulsification.

Once the cataract has been removed from the eye, a clear implant known as an intraocular lens will be inserted into the capsular bag. The cornea then tends to self-seal, though in a few cases, may require a stitch. The eye will then take 4 to 6 weeks to heal and settle before you are typically discharged from the care of your cataract surgeon, back to your local optometrist.

Both phacoemulsification and femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgeries have pros and cons. Ultimately, both result in very similar visual outcomes and safety profiles.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery: The Experience

Cataract surgery can be a daunting experience for some, mainly due to the idea of an operation on the eyes. If you are particularly anxious, your ophthalmologist can offer you a light sedative. However, rarely is general anaesthesia used, as this can increase the rate of complications and prolong the cataract recovery process.

Rarely do patients report pain or distress during a cataract operation. Instead, you may experience the sensation of pressure around your eye during the surgery. If at any point during your surgery you feel that something is not quite right, it’s important to communicate this to your ophthalmologist so they are aware that you’re uncomfortable or the operation is not proceeding as anticipated.

You will still be able to perceive light and movement during the cataract surgery procedure but your vision will be quite blurry as the operation is taking place. Once the intraocular lens has been inserted, you may find your sight is relatively clear compared to your vision problems while you still had the cataract. However, if it’s not as clear as you were hoping or expecting, remember that it will take 4 to 6 weeks of recovery before it’s time to assess your final vision. During this recovery period, your sight may fluctuate, and your eye may feel slightly gritty, dry, and glare sensitive.

When is the Right Time for Cataract Surgery?

The timing of cataract surgery largely depends on how much your vision problems are bothering you. This point can vary widely from individual to individual. You may find it helpful to have a discussion with your optometrist or ophthalmologist about your hobbies, occupation, and other visual demands, to decide whether your sight has been impacted enough by your cataracts to warrant surgical intervention.

Calls us today on (03) 9070 5753.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Cataract Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-au/conditions/cataract-surgery/

15 Things You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery
https://visioneyeinstitute.com.au/eyematters/15-things-need-know-cataract-surgery/

Cataract surgery
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cataract-surgery

What Are the Symptoms of a Cataract?

April 16, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

Cataract symptoms are not always as easily identifiable as many people may think. In fact, those currently developing cataracts may not even realise their visual symptoms are leading them down the path to eventual cataract surgery. Some put their difficulties down to “just getting old”, which in a way is true, as cataracts are typically a result of ageing. To find out what are the symptoms of a cataract, keep reading.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataract ?

Developing cataracts can result in a variety of visual symptoms. Not all of these will be noticeable to everyone with a cataract, and not everyone will be bothered to the same degree despite the same symptoms. In most cases, it’s the effect of developing cataracts on your quality of life that will guide the decision to cataract surgery.

So, typically, what are the symptoms of a cataract? In the early stages of a cataract, the answer is not much. However, as the cataracts progress, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms.

Deteriorating visual acuity.

Many people think cataracts just cause blurry vision. In actual fact, many patients don’t identify their vision as blurry. Instead, you may feel that words like “filmy”, “hazy”, “cloudy”, or “mucky” are more appropriate to describe the sensation. It may feel like looking through smudged or dirty glasses lenses that just can’t be cleaned. As cataracts tend to progress very slowly, you may not necessarily be aware of these changes to your vision. The deterioration of your clarity of sight may only be apparent during a routine eye test when compared to previous results.

Increasing glare sensitivity.

Although many people are naturally light sensitive even without developing cataracts, the presence of a cataract can exacerbate your sensitivity to glare. This can manifest in situations such as driving at night time when you are faced with the glare from traffic lights, other car headlights, and street lamps. This can cause you to feel uncomfortable and unsafe driving at night.

Decreasing contrast sensitivity.

The idea of contrast sensitivity may be a little abstract. However, think about trying to read a menu in a dimly lit restaurant, or trying to thread a needle in a corner of the room away from the window. Where these tasks may have not been too difficult several years ago, you may now find yourself needing better lighting to increase the contrast of the text in order to read it.

Frequent changes to your prescription.

As a cataract develops, it has the potential to change the refractive power of the lens of the eye.

This results in a shift in your prescription. Depending on the type and location of cataracts, this can cause your prescription to become more plus (a long-sighted shift) or more minus (a short-sighted shift).

As the cataract continues to grow, it can progressively cause further changes to your script. Although updating your glasses or contacts can delay the need for cataract surgery by improving your vision, this may just be short-lived and it can be expensive to continually buy new glasses so frequently.

Alterations to your colour vision.

One type of age-related cataract called nuclear sclerosis causes the lens to turn a yellowish-brown colour. This results in your colour perception being affected. However, rarely is this a cause for someone to seek cataract surgery, as many patients don’t notice this slow and subtle shift. However, once the cataracts are removed, you may be surprised to notice how bright and vibrant the colours are.

What are the Symptoms of a Cataract That Might Indicate Cataract Surgery is Necessary?

The decision to undergo cataract surgery is largely guided by how profoundly your cataract symptoms are affecting you. This will vary from individual to individual based on their hobbies, occupation, and their tolerance to changes to their sight. The majority with cataracts will elect to go for cataract surgery based on their deteriorating clarity of sight. However, you may find that although your visual acuity is still quite reasonable, you are having trouble driving comfortably at night as a taxi driver. Alternatively, an interior designer with good visual acuity and no issues with glare sensitivity may find their altered colour perception is interfering with their job. In these cases, cataract surgery can be a valid option.

If you are content with your vision despite the presence of a cataract, in most cases, there’s no harm to delay the cataract operation. A caveat to this is if your visual acuity fails to meet the driving vision standard in your state, in which case you will be strongly advised to undergo cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is a straightforward procedure that removes the eye’s natural lens (containing the cataract) and replaces it with a clear implant. Once the cataract has been extracted, you will find your vision is much sharper, your prescription more stable, and your colours much brighter. As a side note, cataract surgery has the potential to cause glare sensitivity as a side effect, but this is typically short-lived and will self-resolve over a number of weeks to months.

An added benefit to cataract surgery is that the implant is usually calculated to correct your eye’s prescription. This means that you may no longer need to depend on glasses or contacts after your operation.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Cataracts: Symptoms & Causes.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790

Cataracts.

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cataracts#symptoms

Cataracts.

https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts

After Cataract Surgery – What Not to Do?

March 30, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

Cataract surgery is the most common eye procedure in the world. As it is typically a fast and straightforward operation, most patients’ cataract surgery recovery also follows a similar course. However, as with any surgery, there is a chance of a complication arising during the cataract surgery recovery period. In order to minimise your risk of problems after cataract surgery, here’s what not to do.

After Cataract Surgery, What Not to Do

If your vision and eye feel back to normal soon after your cataract surgery, it can be tempting to dive straight back into your usual habits and activities. However, there’s a reason there’s a list after you have cataract surgery of what not to do. Failing to follow your ophthalmologist’s post-operative care instructions can result in a prolonged cataract surgery recovery. In the worst case scenario, complications such as an infection can threaten your sight. So, if you’ve just come out of the operating theatre after cataract surgery, here’s what not to do.

Don’t exert yourself

Immediately after any sort of surgery, the doctor’s orders typically include avoiding strenuous activity, and cataract surgery is no different. Physical rest allows the body to heal and can help to support your cataract surgery recovery. Strenuous activities can include carrying heavy grocery bags, intense physical exercise, and even housework. Your ophthalmologist will advise you when it’s okay to return to these activities, which may be as long as a couple of weeks. If your vocation involves hard labour, such as building and construction, you will need to take additional time off work.

Don’t drive until your review with the ophthalmologist

Straight after your cataract surgery you most likely won’t feel up to driving anyway. Your ophthalmologist will have advised you in advance to organise alternative transport home as you may be feeling groggy from the sedation and your eyes will still be affected from the dilating eyedrops. Later in the day or the day after once your head has cleared, it is still advisable to avoid driving until you’ve attended for your review appointment. At this examination the ophthalmologist will ensure your eye is healing as expected and your sight is able to achieve the driving standards.

Don’t stop your eyedrops too soon

Your ophthalmologist will give you a prescription for 2 to 3 medicated drops. These include an antibiotic to protect the eye from opportunistic infections as it heals, and a steroid as well as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) to help control inflammation. Your dosing schedule will involve all three of these drops, multiple times a day, and may change in frequency over the weeks. Typically, you will need to use these medications for about a month. These eyedrops help your eye to heal properly and reduce your risk of complications, such as an infection. For this reason, it’s important to use them to the end, even if you think your eye has recovered before the month is over.

Don’t expose your eye to risk of contamination or injury

Risk of contamination and injury to the eye can come from both obvious and less expected sources. Try to avoid any foreign particles from getting into your eye. This can mean keeping indoors if it’s a dusty, windy day, avoiding from the dust-filled attic, and also staying away from pools, seawater, and hot tubs for at least a week. For the first few days to a week immediately after your cataract surgery, it’s also a good idea to avoid moisturisers, soaps, and cosmetics around your eye. If your hobbies or occupation involve the potential for trauma to the face, your ophthalmologist will also want you to put these activities on hold. Examples of high-risk activities are contact sports, construction work, or the armed forces. If you have small children or pets prone to rough play, it’s advisable to keep your face out of harm’s way as much as possible!

Don’t update your prescription until your ophthalmologist has confirmed your vision is stable

Most people will find their sight has settled after 4 to 6 weeks. During the recovery period as your eye is still healing, you may find your prescription can fluctuate. Trying to measure a prescription during the post-cataract recovery period can be unreliable also because you may be experiencing dry eyes as a temporary side effect of the surgery. Towards the end your expected healing period, you will most likely have a final follow-up consultation with your ophthalmologist.

At this examination, your ophthalmologist will ensure that all has healed as anticipated and if so, you may return to the care of your optometrist for a prescription check.

Don’t delay if your something doesn’t feel right

The red flags in the weeks after your cataract surgery as you’re still recovering, include:

Deteriorating sight
Increasing redness or pain of the eye
The appearance of flashing lights or floating specks
Unusual headaches or nausea
Discharge from the eye
The perception of a black curtain or shadow coming across part of your visual field

These are not expected symptoms after any cataract surgery, and should be attended to immediately. If you’re unable to get in contact with your usual ophthalmologist, you may visit your local optometrist or hospital emergency department.

Call us on (03) 9070 5753 today.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

After Cataract Surgery: A Post-Surgical Guide.
https://visioneyeinstitute.com.au/eyematters/cataract-surgery-post-surgical-guide/

Recovery: Cataract Surgery
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/recovery/

What Do Cataracts Look Like? Understand How They Are Diagnosed

March 16, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

It’s most likely that you know of at least one person who’s been diagnosed with cataracts or perhaps just had cataract surgery. If you’re over the age of 60, it’s quite possible that you yourself have at least an early cataract, even if the idea of cataract surgery is still a while away. However, if you haven’t been for an eye test in a while, how do you know whether you have a cataract or not? If you’ve been wondering what do cataracts look like and how they can be diagnosed, read on.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are an opacity or haziness of the lens inside the eye. The lens is located just behind the coloured iris. Because of their location and the necessity of the lens for vision, they can interfere with your sight, though the symptoms will vary from person to person.

The presence of a cataract is usually considered a normal age-related change, much like wrinkles on the skin. And because everyone ages, cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the developed world. In some cases, cataracts can also be caused by other factors, such as certain medications or physical trauma to the eye. It may also be associated with certain diseases, including diabetes.

What Do Cataracts Look Like?

For those wondering what do cataracts look like in the mirror, the answer is not much. It is almost impossible to diagnose your own cataract simply by looking in the mirror, unless you have particularly large pupils and the lighting is just right. Occasionally you may be able to catch a glimpse of a cataract in another person if you’re looking at the right angle – it appears like a whitish glint in the pupil.

In most cases, self-diagnosing a cataract will come from its common symptoms. What do cataracts look like for your sight? Symptoms of a cataract can include:

A hazy, cloudy, filmy quality to your vision. The location of the cataract in the lens of the eye will typically lead to some sort of deterioration of the clarity of your sight. This may be described in different ways by different people, and may not always be identified as blurry but rather filmy. Some people may describe the sensation of looking through a perpetually dirty window while others feel like their glasses can never be cleaned properly.
Increased difficulty with glare and bright lights. Certain types of cataracts may be more likely to induce glare, such as posterior subcapsular cataract. The density and location of these opacities in the lens cause light to scatter as it passes through the lens, which the eye then perceives as glare. These issues can manifest themselves in situations such as discomfort on the road in the face of oncoming car headlights.
Increased need for better lighting for reading. Although everyone’s near vision deteriorates with age in a process known as presbyopia, the presence of a cataract can further hinder your ability to read fine print. This is due to the impact of cataracts on your contrast sensitivity. You may find you need to bring the newspaper or medicine packaging to the window to be able to read the text in the bright natural light. Your altering contrast vision may also be apparent when you need to discern foreground details against a similarly-coloured background.

Diagnosis and Cataract Surgery

The diagnosis of a cataract is very straightforward with an eye test. Either an optometrist or ophthalmologist will be able to tell you immediately if there is a cataract present and whether cataract surgery is indicated through a series of routine tests. Quite often people who have just attended for their regular eye test may be told they have an early cataract without even having noticed any symptoms.

One of the most basic tests an eyecare professional will perform to diagnose a cataract is slit lamp biomicroscopy. The slit lamp is a complex device comprised of a magnification system, an adjustable light, and a chin rest. By using the slit lamp, the ophthalmologist or optometrist will be able to directly view the cataract in your eye. Different types of cataracts will look different behind the slit lamp, ranging from a vague yellowish-brown haze in the centre of the lens to a dense white opacity on the back surface.

Another test commonly used when managing a cataract is visual acuity. This is typically performed by reading letters on a chart in decreasing size. The optometrist or ophthalmologist will note the smallest line of letters you’re able to achieve (even if you guessed a few or got some wrong). In some cases, you may be asked to read a contrast chart, which displays letters of decreasing size and also decreasing contrast.

When it comes to assessing a cataract and offering advice around cataract surgery, your eyecare professional will take into account several factors. Perhaps the most important of these is the impact your cataracts are having on your daily tasks. Someone who is content with their vision in spite of a moderate or advanced cataract, may be able to defer cataract surgery.

Conversely, someone else may have only a mild cataract but their visual symptoms interfere with their work, in which case, early cataract surgery may be indicated.

Calls us now on (03) 9070 5753 for a consultation.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Cataracts: Diagnosis & Treatment.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353795#:~:text=Using%20a%20slit%20lamp%20or,devices%20available%20to%20do%20this.

Cataracts.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cataracts

All About the Prevention of Cataract

February 28, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

Along with wrinkles and white hairs, it’s often been said that cataracts are a natural part of human ageing. However, as with wrinkles and white hairs, many people would prefer to avoid cataract surgery and treatment. Is it possible to prevent cataracts or at least delay their development? Keep reading to find out about the prevention of cataract.

Is Prevention of Cataract Possible?

At this point in time, there is no guaranteed method of cataract prevention, and cataract surgery is likely to remain at the top of the list of surgical procedures for a while yet. The exact mechanisms behind cataract formation are still not fully understood, though cataracts are known to be associated with:

Increasing age
Both physical and chemical trauma to the eye
Inflammatory eye diseases
Systemic metabolic diseases
As a side effect of certain eye procedures
As a side effect of various systemic and ocular medications

The majority of cataracts are a natural result of ageing and account for most cataract surgery cases. In light of this, it would be expected that treatment for slowing the ageing process of the eye could conceivably prevent cataracts though this cure has not yet been discovered.

However, research has shown there are a few lifestyle modifications that could help with the prevention of cataracts, although none are a sure-fire method of avoiding cataract surgery forever.

5 Ways to Help Prevent Cataracts

As a general principle, lifestyle choices that are healthy for your whole body will be beneficial for your eyes, too. Here are 5 habits that could promote cataract prevention.

Minimise your UV exposure.

UV radiation has been found to contribute to the development of age-related cataracts, so it stands to reason that wearing a hat and sunglasses while under the sun could help with cataract prevention. Although it’s not likely that you’ll be able to avoid UV exposure completely for your entire life, you may be able to reduce your chances of needing early cataract surgery by following sun-smart practices. In addition to helping prevent cataracts, protecting your eyes from the sun can also reduce your risk of other UV-related eye diseases, such as pterygia, melanomas, and carcinomas.

Protect your eyes from injury.

Ocular trauma can result from various causes, including chemical accidents, blunt or penetrating injuries, and electric shocks. The consequences can range from mild and short-lived discomfort to severe vision loss and reduced quality of life.

Although cataracts from eye injuries are, in most situations, treatable with cataract surgery, these cases are often more complex and at an increased risk of complications during and after the operation. Although there may be some unavoidable instances of eye injury, such as blunt trauma from a cricket ball or a glass laceration to the eye during a motor accident, whenever possible, ensure you are wearing eye protection that meets the local standards when undertaking high-risk activities. This can include activities such as using firearms or working on a construction site.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Research has shown that a diet high in antioxidants has the potential to help prevent cataracts. Antioxidants commonly found in food include vitamins C, A, and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which may combat the oxidative damage to the eye’s lens that results in a cataract developing. You may find these potent antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables including capsicum, tomatoes, walnuts, pecans, and kale. There is also some evidence that a healthy intake of omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to the prevention of cataract, so be sure to include cold-water fish such as salmon or tuna in your diet regularly. Flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts are also good sources of omega-3.

Reduce alcohol consumption.

Although not all studies agree, there is some evidence that heavy alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing age-related cataracts and requiring cataract surgery earlier than those with a lower alcohol intake. Heavy alcohol consumption is defined as more than two standard drinks a day. Interestingly, studies on the association between alcohol and cataracts found that moderate alcohol intake, typically defined as up to one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men, was not associated with a higher risk of cataracts.

Quit smoking.

Quitting smoking offers benefits to the eye and body far beyond cataract prevention, including reducing your risk of macular degeneration and dry eye disease. In the context of cataracts, smoking cigarettes is known to be directly associated with the development of cataracts and requiring surgery sooner. Studies have also found a positive correlation, meaning that the risk of cataracts forming increases the more cigarettes one smokes per day. Fortunately, your risk of cataract development can be reduced by quitting smoking (or never taking it up in the first place). However, those who quit smoking will retain an elevated risk of cataracts compared to those who have never smoked before.

If the thought of cataracts makes you anxious, be reassured that cataract surgery is considered a highly safe and effective procedure. There are a number of highly competent and experienced cataract surgeons throughout Australia for those who are ready for a cataract operation, so speak to your optometrist about a referral.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

References

Can a healthy diet prevent cataracts?

https://www.allaboutvision.com/en-au/nutrition/cataracts/#:~:text=People%20who%20consistently%20follow%20a,and%20E%2C%20lutein%20and%20zeaxanthin.

When Can You Drive After Cataract Surgery?

February 16, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

What is a Cataract and How is the Vision Problem Treated? You’ve just celebrated your 60th birthday and have turned up to your regular yearly eye test feeling pretty good – you’re generally fit and healthy Read more Cataract Causes That You Should Know About Cataracts are a part of life, they come along part […]

How to Prevent Cataracts & Understand What Causes Them?

January 31, 2022/0 Comments/in Cataract Surgery /by The Armadale Eye Clinic Team

Cataracts are a haze or opacity of the lens inside the eye and are typically considered to be a natural part of the human ageing process. With as much research and development going into reversing the signs of ageing, such as with our skin, is there anything that can be done to also reduce your risk of needing cataract surgery in the coming years? Keep reading to find out how to prevent cataracts.

What Causes Cataracts?

There are various underlying causes of cataracts, and not all are fully understood. Age-related cataracts account for the vast majority of cataract surgery cases, but what is it about increasing age that induces the formation of a cataract and the associated vision problems? Experts believe that the accumulation of oxidative damage from UV exposure to the fibres of the eye’s lens is at least partly to blame. As the lens fibres become damaged, they lose their transparency, leading to the progressive haze and opacities found in age-related cataracts.

Apart from older age, any other disturbance to the lens, whether physical or metabolic, has the potential to induce a cataract and subsequent vision problems. Other known causes of cataract include:

Blunt or sharp trauma to the eye
Chemical injury to the eye
Systemic metabolic diseases
Congenital disease
Certain eye operations
Certain medications

Cataract surgery is the only absolute way of treating a cataract. During the operation, the cataract surgeon removes the cloudy lens from the eye and replaces it with an artificial lens implant, called an intraocular lens. If the thought of an eye operation is unappealing to you, you may be wondering how to prevent cataracts from growing in the first place. Although there is no definite way of ensuring you never get a cataract other than pre-emptively removing the eye’s natural lens before a cataract has a chance to form (a surgical procedure known as refractive lens exchange), there are steps you can take to reduce your need to step into the office of a cataract surgeon.

In most situations, cataract surgery is indicated only once the cataract begins to cause you vision problems. Because of this, being told you have cataracts does not automatically mean you will need cataract surgery in the near, or even far, future. Many people continue their daily activities quite happily for many years despite the presence of a cataract.

How to Prevent Cataracts?

There are certain steps you can take to help delay the development of a cataract or slow its progression.

Protect your eyes from UV radiation

As UV exposure has been implicated in the development of cataract, protecting your eyes from the sun may help to reduce the risk of growing a cataract. Some studies have found only a small percentage of cataracts are a direct consequence of UV exposure, meaning only a low proportion of cataract surgery cases would be avoidable with UV protection. However, as UV protection is important not only for cataract prevention but also to avoid damage to other structures to the eyes and skin, wearing a hat and sunglasses outdoors is still a good idea.

Quit smoking

Smoking has negative consequences for not only cataract formation but also other aspects of your eye health, including increasing your risk of age-related macular degeneration. Smoking is directly and positively correlated with cataract formation; in other words, the more you smoke, the higher your risk of needing to visit a cataract surgeon. Fortunately, quitting smoking will reduce your risk, although your risk of cataract will remain higher compared to people who have never smoked before.

Drink less alcohol

Various studies have been conducted investigating the impact of alcohol consumption and the likelihood of requiring early cataract surgery. The findings suggest that heavy alcohol consumption (more than two standard drinks per day), is related to an elevated risk of developing age-related cataracts. However, researchers noted that moderate alcohol intake didn’t appear to have any significant association with cataracts.

Eat a diet high in antioxidants

Vitamins A, C, and E have an antioxidant effect, which could help to protect against the development of age-related cataracts. Fruits and vegetables high in these vitamins include green leafy vegetables such as kale, red and orange coloured produce, such as capsicum and tomatoes, and nuts, including walnuts, pecans, and chestnuts.

In theory, the antioxidant action of these vitamins helps to counter the effect of oxidative damage on the eye’s lens. It should be mentioned that not all studies agree that a specific diet will reliably protect against cataracts. However, as a healthy, balanced diet is beneficial for all areas of the body, there’s no harm in following well-balanced nutrition principles.

Protect your eyes from injury

As injury to the eye can induce the formation of a cataract (as well as cause damage to other structures of the eye), it’s important to wear appropriate safety equipment when engaging in high-risk activities. Eye injuries can be from blunt trauma, such as a cricket ball to the eye; penetrating trauma, such as from a shard of glass during a car accident; from chemicals splashed or sprayed into the eye; or from electrocution.

Even if you take all possible precautions to prevent cataracts, it is still possible you will develop them as you get older. If you’re concerned about cataracts, speak to your eye care professional.

Call us now on (03) 9070 5753.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Risk Factors of Cataract

Age

Family history of cataracts

Smoking

Hypertension

Diabetes

Eye trauma

Obesity

Alcohol consumption

References

Factors Affecting Cataract Surgery Recovery Time

Tips to Maximise Your Cataract Surgery Recovery

Use all your medications as directed.

Rest as much as possible.

Keep your eyes clean.

Be vigilant.

The Cataract Surgery Operation in Brief

Is Cataract Surgery Painful?

Is Cataract Surgery Painful Afterward?

References

What Happens During Cataract Surgery: Steps of the Operation

What Happens During Cataract Surgery: The Experience

When is the Right Time for Cataract Surgery?

What Are the Symptoms of Cataract ?

Deteriorating visual acuity.

Increasing glare sensitivity.

Decreasing contrast sensitivity.

Frequent changes to your prescription.

Alterations to your colour vision.

What are the Symptoms of a Cataract That Might Indicate Cataract Surgery is Necessary?

After Cataract Surgery, What Not to Do

Don’t exert yourself

Don’t drive until your review with the ophthalmologist

Don’t stop your eyedrops too soon

Don’t expose your eye to risk of contamination or injury

Don’t update your prescription until your ophthalmologist has confirmed your vision is stable

Don’t delay if your something doesn’t feel right

References

What are Cataracts?

What Do Cataracts Look Like?

Diagnosis and Cataract Surgery

References

Is Prevention of Cataract Possible?

5 Ways to Help Prevent Cataracts

Minimise your UV exposure.

Protect your eyes from injury.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Reduce alcohol consumption.

Quit smoking.

What Causes Cataracts?

How to Prevent Cataracts?

Protect your eyes from UV radiation

Quit smoking

Drink less alcohol

Eat a diet high in antioxidants

Protect your eyes from injury