One of the parts of the eye is called the lens which is normally clear. But sometimes it becomes cloudy. A cataract is an opacity in the natural lens of the eye. Changes of the lens trasparence block some of the light and it becomes harder for a person to see.

Cataracts are common, especially in older individuals. As a normal part of the aging process, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. A simple eye examination by an ophthalmologist (eye physician) can detect a cataract.

Causes and symptoms of Cataracts

A cataract may be provoked by eye trauma, poor eye nutrition connected with aging, sunlight, diabetes, some eye diseases or inherited particularities of your organism. More often cataracts are related to aging that increases lens density and opacity.

When a cataract affects the eye the images you see are blurred, your eye may be sensitive to bright light and vision becomes double. Sunlight may appear too bright. In advanced cases there is complete loss of vision and pupil becomes pearly white in color.

Cataract Treatment

The only effective treatment of this eye disease is a cataract surgery!!!

Eyedrops, special glasses, diets and exercises can't help improve your vision.

Cataract removal is one of the most common operations performed today. It is also one of the safest and most effective. Many people consider poor vision an inevitable fact of aging, but cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision.

In our Clinic we use several methods of cataract surgical treatment: phacoemulsification and laser cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation which use ultrasound or laser to break up the cataract. These techniques allow cataract surgery to be performed through a very small incision in the cornea. Stitches are seldom needed to close this tiny entry, which means that there is less discomfort and quicker recovery of vision. This allows for more rapid rehabilitation of vision and possibly less dependence on glasses for good distance vision.

Our operation room has all the modern phacomachines for cataract surgery: Alcon (INFINITI™ Vision System), Optikon. Our surgeons have the added ability to utilize new technology known as AquaLase* Liquefaction to remove a clouded lens.

A surgical device was developed to perform this removal procedure called the AquaLase® Liquefaction Device. It is a completely new technology that applies gentle pulses of warmed surgically safe liquid to safely break up and remove the cataract lens. This represents the first departure from ultrasound phacoemulsification, and is available only when an ophthalmologist uses the Alcon INFINITI™ Vision System to remove the lens. Instead of using a sharp metal probe, a doctor can break up the clouded lens with pulses of warm solution to "wash away" the lens. The new technology may reduce the risk of heat-related burns to the cornea and other potential complications.

After removal of the cataract-damaged lens, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted. An intraocular lens is implanted in the eye in place of the patient's clouded natural lens. New IOLs are being developed all the time to make the surgery less complicated for surgeons and the lenses more helpful to patients. One example is a new IOL - AcrySof ReSTOR that lets patients see at all distances, not just one. Another new IOL - AcriSof Natural blocks both ultraviolet and blue light rays, which research indicates may damage the retina.

Today in IRTC ''Eye microsurgery'' this operation is worked out in details, the technique is perfect and in most cases the results of operation are successful.