5/4/07
Cataract Surgery in India-costs, Benefits and Risks
Author: Dr.Arjun
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is formed when the natural lens of the eye, responsible for focusing light and producing sharp images, becomes cloudy and hardens, resulting in a loss of visual function. The lens of the eye is clear at birth, but is one of the first parts of the body to show the effects of aging. A cataract is painless and usually develops gradually over several months or years. Normally, the onset of a cataract in one or both eyes may cause decreased night vision, impaired depth perception, and increases color distortion.
Ideal Candidate for Cataract surgery:
The ideal candidate for this surgery is a person who has medical confirmation that their vision changes are due to the development of a cataract and these changes are severe enough to impact on their day-to-day lives. Minor blurring can often be treated with a change in eyeglass prescription; so waiting for the cataract to "mature" can be suggested. In the final analysis, the cataract should be removed at the point that the negative effects of the vision changes are severe enough to justify the low, but existent, possibility of complications with the surgical procedure.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Typically, two things happen during cataract surgery — the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is implanted. In some cases, however, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens.
Before surgery, eye doctor measures the size and shape of patient's eye to determine the proper power of the lens implant. The measurements are made with a painless ultrasound test. Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour. Most people are awake and need only local anesthesia. On rare occasions some people may need general anesthesia.
Surgical methods used to remove cataracts include:
§Phacoemulsification (fak-o-e-mul-sih-fih-KA-shun).
During this procedure, surgeon removes the cataract but leaves most of the outer layer (lens capsule) in place. During phacoemulsification, surgeon makes a small incision — about 1/8 inch or 3 millimeters (mm) long — where the cornea meets the conjunctiva and inserts a needle-thin probe. The surgeon then uses the probe, which transmits ultrasound waves, to break up (emulsify) the cataract and suction out the fragments. The lens capsule remains in place to provide support for the lens implant.
§Extra capsular cataract extraction.
If patient's cataract has advanced to the point where phacoemulsification can't break up the clouded lens, surgeon may do an extra capsular cataract extraction. This procedure requires a larger incision, about 3/8 of an inch (10 mm), where the cornea and sclera meet. Through this incision surgeon opens the lens capsule, removes the nucleus in one piece and vacuums out the softer lens cortex, leaving the capsule in place.
Once the cataract has been removed by either phacoemulsification or extra capsular extraction, a clear artificial lens is implanted into the empty lens capsule. This implant, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), is made of plastic, acrylic or silicone. It requires no care and becomes a permanent part of patient's eye. Patient will likely need reading glasses after cataract surgery. Some IOLs are rigid plastic and implanted through an incision that requires several stitches (sutures) to close. However, many IOLs are flexible, allowing a smaller incision that requires no stitches. The surgeon can fold this type of lens and insert it into the empty capsule where the natural lens used to be. Once in place the lens unfolds to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) in diameter. Recent advances in IOLs include lenses that filter out ultraviolet light — also known as blue-blocking lenses. Other types of IOLs provide multifocal vision — being able to see things both near and at a distance. Multifocal lenses offer reasonably good near and distance vision. However, vision at the intermediate range is sometimes less than satisfactory. Glare is reportedly a problem with multifocal lenses, but design improvements are ongoing.
Benefits Cataract Surgery:
Improvements in Activities
· Everyday activities
· Driving Reading
· Working
· Moving around
· Social activities
· Hobbies
· Safety
· Self-confidence
· Independence
Risks involved in Cataract Surgery:
· High pressure in the eye
· Blood collection inside the eye
· Infection inside the eye
· Artificial lens damage or dislocation
· Drooping eyelid
Cost of Cataract Surgery:
Recently in India the rise in has seen cataract surgery because the costs have dropped drastically , making world class treatments affordable for everyone and patient also get to enjoy a free holiday as well! If a patient has always wanted a cataract surgery or any other procedure, he can now afford it, as eye surgery costs have tumbled in India. Cataract surgery costs are combined with holidays and this is one of the fastest areas of growth in medical tourism in India.
Travel to India for your Cataract Surgery:
Indian ophthalmologists and eye surgeons offer you custom made solutions for all your eye care problems. From corrective eye disorders to Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cornea and Refractive Surgery to Low-stress cataract surgery, India offers a wide range of eye surgery. The eye surgery techniques have now become so advanced that the cataract surgery can be done in a day. Consider the cost benefit for a patient opting for eye surgery in India as opposed to getting it done in the USA or UK. Eye surgery in India is one of the highly growing sectors in medical tourism. Several hospitals and clinics are now fully equipped to handle the inflow of patients from the West with latest technology, highly trained doctors and of course, customized treatment for every patient.
To know more about Hospitals in India and the cataract surgery packages available in Hospitals,
Please visit- http://www.indianhealthguru.com
Important Details:
Medical Tourism to India - http://www.indianhealthguru.com
International Patient Experiences - http://www.indianhealthguru.com/testimonials-international-patients-india.html
Email – contact@indianhealthguru.com
Contact Number- 0091-93711-36499
¶ 11:42 PM
Author: Dr.Arjun
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is formed when the natural lens of the eye, responsible for focusing light and producing sharp images, becomes cloudy and hardens, resulting in a loss of visual function. The lens of the eye is clear at birth, but is one of the first parts of the body to show the effects of aging. A cataract is painless and usually develops gradually over several months or years. Normally, the onset of a cataract in one or both eyes may cause decreased night vision, impaired depth perception, and increases color distortion.
Ideal Candidate for Cataract surgery:
The ideal candidate for this surgery is a person who has medical confirmation that their vision changes are due to the development of a cataract and these changes are severe enough to impact on their day-to-day lives. Minor blurring can often be treated with a change in eyeglass prescription; so waiting for the cataract to "mature" can be suggested. In the final analysis, the cataract should be removed at the point that the negative effects of the vision changes are severe enough to justify the low, but existent, possibility of complications with the surgical procedure.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Typically, two things happen during cataract surgery — the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is implanted. In some cases, however, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens.
Before surgery, eye doctor measures the size and shape of patient's eye to determine the proper power of the lens implant. The measurements are made with a painless ultrasound test. Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure that takes less than an hour. Most people are awake and need only local anesthesia. On rare occasions some people may need general anesthesia.
Surgical methods used to remove cataracts include:
§Phacoemulsification (fak-o-e-mul-sih-fih-KA-shun).
During this procedure, surgeon removes the cataract but leaves most of the outer layer (lens capsule) in place. During phacoemulsification, surgeon makes a small incision — about 1/8 inch or 3 millimeters (mm) long — where the cornea meets the conjunctiva and inserts a needle-thin probe. The surgeon then uses the probe, which transmits ultrasound waves, to break up (emulsify) the cataract and suction out the fragments. The lens capsule remains in place to provide support for the lens implant.
§Extra capsular cataract extraction.
If patient's cataract has advanced to the point where phacoemulsification can't break up the clouded lens, surgeon may do an extra capsular cataract extraction. This procedure requires a larger incision, about 3/8 of an inch (10 mm), where the cornea and sclera meet. Through this incision surgeon opens the lens capsule, removes the nucleus in one piece and vacuums out the softer lens cortex, leaving the capsule in place.
Once the cataract has been removed by either phacoemulsification or extra capsular extraction, a clear artificial lens is implanted into the empty lens capsule. This implant, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), is made of plastic, acrylic or silicone. It requires no care and becomes a permanent part of patient's eye. Patient will likely need reading glasses after cataract surgery. Some IOLs are rigid plastic and implanted through an incision that requires several stitches (sutures) to close. However, many IOLs are flexible, allowing a smaller incision that requires no stitches. The surgeon can fold this type of lens and insert it into the empty capsule where the natural lens used to be. Once in place the lens unfolds to about 1/4 inch (6 mm) in diameter. Recent advances in IOLs include lenses that filter out ultraviolet light — also known as blue-blocking lenses. Other types of IOLs provide multifocal vision — being able to see things both near and at a distance. Multifocal lenses offer reasonably good near and distance vision. However, vision at the intermediate range is sometimes less than satisfactory. Glare is reportedly a problem with multifocal lenses, but design improvements are ongoing.
Benefits Cataract Surgery:
Improvements in Activities
· Everyday activities
· Driving Reading
· Working
· Moving around
· Social activities
· Hobbies
· Safety
· Self-confidence
· Independence
Risks involved in Cataract Surgery:
· High pressure in the eye
· Blood collection inside the eye
· Infection inside the eye
· Artificial lens damage or dislocation
· Drooping eyelid
Cost of Cataract Surgery:
Recently in India the rise in has seen cataract surgery because the costs have dropped drastically , making world class treatments affordable for everyone and patient also get to enjoy a free holiday as well! If a patient has always wanted a cataract surgery or any other procedure, he can now afford it, as eye surgery costs have tumbled in India. Cataract surgery costs are combined with holidays and this is one of the fastest areas of growth in medical tourism in India.
Travel to India for your Cataract Surgery:
Indian ophthalmologists and eye surgeons offer you custom made solutions for all your eye care problems. From corrective eye disorders to Diabetic retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cornea and Refractive Surgery to Low-stress cataract surgery, India offers a wide range of eye surgery. The eye surgery techniques have now become so advanced that the cataract surgery can be done in a day. Consider the cost benefit for a patient opting for eye surgery in India as opposed to getting it done in the USA or UK. Eye surgery in India is one of the highly growing sectors in medical tourism. Several hospitals and clinics are now fully equipped to handle the inflow of patients from the West with latest technology, highly trained doctors and of course, customized treatment for every patient.
To know more about Hospitals in India and the cataract surgery packages available in Hospitals,
Please visit- http://www.indianhealthguru.com
Important Details:
Medical Tourism to India - http://www.indianhealthguru.com
International Patient Experiences - http://www.indianhealthguru.com/testimonials-international-patients-india.html
Email – contact@indianhealthguru.com
Contact Number- 0091-93711-36499
About the Author:
Arjun is writer for Indian Health Guru Website. He is an Internal medicine physician by profession and an expert in the field of Medical Tourism to India. More than 400 patients have taken the benefit of his consultancy services.
¶ 11:42 PM
