Cataract

A cataract is the clouding of the lens and has many causes. The disease can be genetic or may occur during the lifetime. Other opthalmological diseases (eg. intraocular inflammation), opthalmological injuries (eg. hits) metabolic disorder (eg. diabetes) or general complaints may also lead to cataract.
Cataract may also occur as a side effect of drugs (eg. Corticosteroids). Generally, cataract occurs at advanced ages. The cloudings may be present in various segments according to the structure of the lens (in front of, behind or under the lens capsule, in the covering or center of the lens). Most of the time, cataract starts with mild clouding and may advance until all segments are clouded (mature star).

Visual acuity worsens with the progression of cataract. The surroundings are perceived as if seen through a piece of fabric, the colors appear pale and contrast is decreased.

Clouding of the lens nucleus increases refraction power. Thus, myopia develops and eyeglasses that have been required previously are not needed any more; near vision improves. This effect is eliminated in time with progression of cataract.

When the opthalmologist looks into the dilated pupil by a microscope, he/she can see the clouded lens directly and evaluate the dimensions of the clouding. Since it is not possible to treat cataract with medication, it should be eliminated by surgery.

Before surgery, an ultrasonographic examination (Biometer) is performed. Here, the lenght of the eye is measured. The opthalmologist can calculate the artifical lens power appropriate for the eye considering the data related with length together with other data. This lens is exchanged with the patient’s own clouded lens. Currently, this operation is performed with minimal section technique; the lens nucleus is degraded by ultrsound (Facoemulsification) and the remnants are cleaned by suction.