The first step in the operation itself is the securing of the eyelids. This is usually done with a small spring speculum, which gently holds the lids open without in any way pressing on the eye.
The removal of the cataract can be achieved in a number of ways, the aim being to clear all the opacity from the pupil of the eye. Basically, there are two methods either of which may be used: Read the rest of this entry »
At one time almost all intraocular surgery was performed under a local anaesthetic. For two reasons local anaesthesia is used much less commonly today. First, the whole science of general anaesthesia has greatly advanced and the likelihood of coughing has been considerably reduced. Second, methods of repairing the cataract wound are now better than they used to be. Coughing and sneezing after the operation consequently constitute less of a threat than formerly. Read the rest of this entry »
There is a popular misconception that cataract surgery cannot be undertaken until the cataract has reached a particular ripeness. This was the case many years ago, when the only method of removing the cataract was by the extracapsular method, which involved opening the capsular bag and washing away its contents. If the cataract was very ‘immature’, it was technically rather difficult to do this. Read the rest of this entry »
