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Cataract Surgery (Phacoemulsification with IOL)

Cataract?

  • Cataracts are a deterioration of the natural lens, which becomes progressively cloudy, milky, yellowish or brownish.  Cataracts prohibit and block light passing through to the retina, which result in unclear vision.

  • Most cataracts occur in people over 60 years of age and can be found in one eye or both eyes. In most people, cataracts are developed due to the clouding of the lens by a natural aging process. However, cataracts may also be found in younger ages due to other causes such as exposure to ultraviolet rays, severe eye injury, smoking, long-term use of steroid medications or various congenital diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

  • There are many stages of cataracts. In the early stages, cataracts do not affect lens clarity much, if at all. During these stages, lenses still remain mostly clear, but patients may find themselves with increased nearsightedness and/or astigmatism, and may require glasses or contact lenses.

  • Cataracts which result from the aging process of the eye are a normal phenomenon and affect everyone.
     

             TRSC’s cataract team is led by Dr. Pichit Naripthaphan, former President of the Cataract and Refractive Surgery Club of Thailand, with Dr. Chonticha Charumalai and Dr. Patchima Chantaren as other practicing specialists in the team.

Technology for cataract surgery at TRSC

  • The CENTURION® Vision System with ACTIVE SENTRY® Handpiece from Alcon Laboratories, USA is redefining phacoemulsification performance. Its innovative design and real-time surge reduction can help to offer a new baseline of safety, consistency and control to every cataract patient.

  • Foldable IOLs from Alcon Laboratories, USA.

There are multiple types of foldable IOLs available at TRSC

  • Monofocal IOL (singular focus range) for patients with cataracts without astigmatism

    • Clareon® AutonoMe™ from Alcon Laboratories, USA (European CE Mark)

  • Monofocal Toric IOL (singular focus range) for patients with cataracts and astigmatism

    • AcrySof Toric from Alcon Laboratories, USA (US FDA Approved)

  • Multifocal IOL (multiple focus ranges) for patients with cataracts without astigmatism

    • AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® from Alcon Laboratories, USA (US FDA Approved)

    • AcrySof IQ Vivity™ from Alcon Laboratories, USA (US FDA Approved)

  • Multifocal Toric IOL (multiple focus ranges) for patients with cataracts and astigmatism

    • AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Toric from Alcon Laboratories, USA (US FDA Approved)

    • AcrySof IQ Vivity™ Toric from Alcon Laboratories, USA (US FDA Approved)

IOLs Specifications

  • Foldable, durable and flexible, and is made of Hydrophobic Acrylic / Methacrylate Copolymer. It is highly compatible with the natural lens capsule.

  • Yellow in color, similar to the natural lens and is able to filter out blue light, which can cause long term damage to the retina.

  • Able to filter ultraviolet light.

  • Permanent and will not need replacement under normal circumstances.

  • Higher refractive index compared to other intraocular lenses. Therefore, these lenses are thinner than other types of lenses while providing the same level of magnification or power.

Cataract Surgery

  • Phacoemulsification is a modern cataract surgery method in which the eye's natural lens is emulsified with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated from the eye.

  • The patient’s cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

  • The patient remains conscious throughout the surgery.

  • Cataract surgery is a day surgery. The patient can return home after cataract surgery and will be scheduled to come back for follow-up exam the next day.

Advantages of Cataract Surgery

  • Treat cataract symptoms and improve your vision.

  • Cataract surgery is a permanent treatment. The lens that the surgeon implants during cataract surgery is durable and will not need replacement under normal circumstances.

  • Cataract surgery is a keyhole procedure and the main incision is about 3 mm. in length. Cataract surgery does not require sutures.

  • Few side effects.

  • Cataract surgery can be treated in conjunction with other laser vision correction procedures.

Limitations of Cataract Surgery

  • Cataract surgery is performed one eye at a time. This approach allows the first eye to recover and your vision in that eye to stabilize before surgery is performed on the second eye.

Post-LVC (Laser Vision Correction) Cataract Surgery

  • Cataract Surgery for patients who have undergone laser vision correction (such as Super ReLEx (SMILE Pro), ReLEx SMILE, FemtoLASIK, LASIK and PRK) requires a different type of IOL (Intraocular Lens) calculation compared to that of regular patients. IOL profiles are normally calculated by factoring in the shape of the anterior part of the cornea while estimating the shape of the posterior cornea.  However, patients who have undergone laser vision correction will have an altered anterior cornea, which misleads the posterior cornea estimates.  The IOL Master 700 by Carl Zeiss aids the IOL calculation process by accurately measuring both the anterior and posterior cornea, which helps our surgeons find the best fit IOLs for patients who have undergone laser vision correction.

The qualifications of a suitable candidate for cataract surgery at TRSC

  • Age under 75 years old.

  • Patients in good physical health.

  • Patients whose cataracts are having a significant effect on his/her eyesight and quality of life.

  • Patients who have a complete and detailed understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of cataract surgery and have realistic expectations of the outcome.

  • Cataracts are a progressive disease. Your surgeon will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for cataract surgery or not.

For more information / Make an appointment

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