A cataract is opacification of the eye lens. The eye lens is a very important part of our visual organ. It looks like a transparent lens that adjusts the focus of the eye to objects at different distances.
Thanks to the eye lens, a person sees objects close to the eye as well as distant objects in the same way. The eye lens makes it possible for us to read, make up our eyes or shave, work at the computer and drive a car.
As we get older, certain substances accumulate in the eye lens, which causes its opacification, i.e. cataract.
In this case, at the beginning of the disease a person sees objects as if through falling water. Not without reason the Greeks called this disease “cataract” which means “waterfall”. As the disease progresses, the opacity of the lens becomes more and more intensive. There is a gradual decrease in vision and, finally, it is lost.
The process of cataract maturation may take years, but in some people, especially those suffering from diabetes mellitus, chronic inflammatory diseases, myopia or glaucoma, it can be much shorter.
There are two methods of cataract treatment – drug therapy and surgery.
Medications for cataract treatment are drops that help to eliminate lens opacities.
If there are no effects from such a treatment, the patient is to undergo a surgical procedure to remove it and replace the old eye lens with a new one.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed eye surgeries.
The operation involves the removal of the opaque lens out of the eye. An artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, can be put in its place. If the implantation of an artificial lens is not possible for certain reasons, it is compensated by contact lenses or (in rare cases) glasses. Most patients diagnosed with cataract undergo surgery for its removal with the replacement of the natural lens with an artificial lens.
There are two types of operations to remove the eye cataract. In both cases, the operation is performed in an outpatient center.
The choice of the type of operation depends on the type of cataract and the surgeon’s experience.
The procedure is called phacoemulsification. This operation is used to remove the opaque lens and replace it with an artificial lens. A small incision of approximately 2.2 mm is made in the cornea and the lens is removed through it. The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia.
Phacoemulsification is considered to be a revolutionary technique for cataract treatment, as it is highly effective, less traumatic and can be used with any type of cataract and at any stage of the disease. The operation can also be performed on an outpatient basis or in a day hospital. After the operation, the eye can be covered for several days with a special bandage and treated with an antiseptic ointment every day.
Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). In this case, the capsule surrounding the lens is opened and the entire lens is removed.
The Viennan clinics offer their services for treatment of the full range of ophthalmologic diseases.
The Viennan clinics employ the best ophthalmologists who are able to accurately and competently diagnose and provide the appropriate treatment.
Treatment of ophthalmologic diseases in Vienna involves conducting the necessary diagnostics and studying the disease, prescribing the necessary course of treatment on the basis of the results of the ophthalmologic disease analysis, and full rehabilitation and recovery. The Viennan clinics offer their services for the treatment of the full range of ophthalmologic diseases.
Treatment of ophthalmologic diseases in Vienna has reached the highest level of sophistication so far.
The proper combination of conservative and operative therapies as well as a case-by-case approach ensure a high level of effectiveness of the treatment in Vienna.
The high quality of medical services provided in the Viennan health facilities has gained worldwide recognition.
