Cataract, as it is already known, is a blurring of the natural lens of the eye, which leads to light scattering, fading of colors, blurring, and gradual reduction of vision. There are some facts you may not have known about cataracts that are interesting and well known to you about the health of your eyes, especially after the age of forty.
There is more than one type of cataract
There are several types of cataracts, but there are some types that are more common in patients. The most common type of cataract (which occurs in people after the age of forty) is formed mainly in the center, i.e. the nucleus of the lens of the eye (nucleus) and is called a nuclear cataract. Another type is cortical cataract. This cataract develops on the edge or peripheral parts of the lens, rather than in the center. There is also a cataract which is a combination of these two or the so-called cortico-nuclear cataract. The posterior capsular cataract mainly forms on the posterior capsule of the lens, blocking light rays from reaching the retina. Posterior capsular cataract usually develops more rapidly than nuclear or cortical cataract. When there is complete blurring of the lens we have a case of mature (mature) cataract. Believe it or not, cataracts can also occur as a result of certain trauma, eye injury and it is called traumatic cataract.
Babies can be born with cataracts
Congenital cataract is when a baby is born with a cataract or it develops during early childhood. It can occur as a result of genetics, certain health conditions or infection / trauma in the mother before giving birth. As the baby’s eyes and brain learn to see during this time, ophthalmologists recommend that cataracts be detected and treated in a timely manner. Otherwise, it can affect the normal development and connection of the eye to the brain, leading to vision loss. Ophthalmologists usually detect congenital cataracts on routine neonatal examinations.
In our hospital the examination is detailed and is completely adapted to the age of the child. Our ophthalmologists talk to the parents at the examination, explaining in detail the whole treatment process. The operation is completely safe, secure and painless, is performed under general anesthesia and lasts up to ten minutes per eye. We are available to parents throughout the treatment process.
Diabetes increases the chances of developing cataracts faster and earlier in life
The lens in the eye feeds on the aqueous humor, i.e. clear fluid in the anterior segment of the eye between the lens and the cornea. Aqueous humor provides cells with oxygen and glucose (sugar). When a person with diabetes has uncontrolled blood glucose levels, the cells in the lens can become blurred. As a result, a cataract forms, making the things you see blurry, faded, or dark yellow.
In patients with diabetes and cataracts, a detailed subspecialty examination is performed to examine the fundus and blood vessels affected by glucose (diabetic retinopathy), as well as measurements of the type of lens to be implanted. If there is a problem with the fundus and depending on its condition there are several solutions, such as anti-VEGF treatments, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy. Our vitreoretinal surgeons will offer you the best and safest solution at the examination. It is very important for people with diabetes to have regular ophthalmological examinations, for timely resolution of eye conditions.
Once operated cataract – permanently operated cataract
With cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist replaces the naturally blurred lens of the eye with a clear artificial lens. The new lens can not be blurred again. However, some people may develop the so-called “Secondary cataract” after surgery, which is not really a real cataract. This happens when the thin membrane holding the lens is blurred. With a very quick procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy, the laser ophthalmologist cleans the blurred capsule so that the light rays can penetrate again and get clear and vivid vision.
Thanks to the state-of-the-art technology, knowledge and experience of our cataract surgeons, cataracts can be solved forever, in just 3 hours from the time you arrive at the clinic. The lenses that we implant in the eye are the most modern intraocular monofocal or multifocal lenses, depending on your condition, lifestyle and the quality of vision you want to get.
If you have high myopia (myopia), you have a higher risk of retinal detachment after cataract surgery
Studies have shown that people who are short-sighted are more likely to have retinal detachment after cataract surgery. If you are short-sighted, i.e. you have myopia and are planning to have cataract surgery, you must discuss the risks and benefits of such surgery with your ophthalmologist. Our team, composed of experienced cataract, vitreoretinal and refractive surgeons, together can offer you the most optimal solution for timely response and good eyesight.
The cataract influencing the work of the famous artist Claude Monet
Water pond,
Claude Monet (1899, oil on canvas)
Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a famous French painter. His style of painting is known as Impressionism, which depicts the changing effects of color and light over time. Monet was diagnosed with cataracts, which progressed poorly between 1912 and 1922. Monet could no longer see the colors with the same intensity as before. The white, green, and blue colors of his earlier paintings (pictured above) are gradually beginning to be replaced by stronger brush strokes in yellow, brown, and purple (pictured below).
Japanese footbridge,
Claude Monet (1920-1922, oil on canvas)
Eye color affects the risk of cataracts
Studies show that people with dark brown eyes have a higher risk of developing cataracts than those with lighter eyes.
UV light is a known contributor to the development of cataracts no matter what eye color you have. It is mandatory to protect your eyes from the sun with 100% UV blocking goggles and wear a larger or wider cap.
In some cases, ophthalmologists may recommend cataract surgery on both eyes, even though your eyesight is still good in one eye.
After cataract surgery on one eye, many people will not have surgery on the other eye until they are no longer disturbed in their daily activities. However, there are certain circumstances when an ophthalmologist may recommend cataract surgery on the other eye, even when the patient has no vision problems. Replacing the natural lens in both eyes allows and helps to balance vision, which is a key way to reduce the risk of injury to some people (such as hip injury in a fall). In some people, replacing the lens in the second eye can also reduce their risk of developing a serious form of glaucoma, called closed-angle glaucoma.
In our hospital, cataract surgery is painless, fast, and safe and effective after which you go home with your eyes open. The experiences of our patients show that they have easily passed this operative and postoperative process and will return to their daily responsibilities tomorrow.
Tip for initial examination and / or diagnosis
in case you have the same or similar condition:
Examination for cataract surgery
Refraction, visual acuity measurement, eye pressure measurement, evaluation of posterior segment, eho/biometry, IOL master.
2.400,00
Implantation of multifocal lens
Intraocular lens for correction of diopter. Price for one eye.
123.000,00
Implantation of multifocal toric lens
Intraocular lens for correction of diopter and astigmatism. Price for one eye.
123.000,00
The ophthalmologist reserves the right to suggest another type of examination and / or diagnosis depending on the established condition of the examination.