Phacoemulsification is a type of surgical procedure that restores the vision of those suffering from cataracts. After the cloudy eye lens is removed, an intraocular lens (IOL) is then implanted.
Charles Kelman introduced this technique most popularly in 1967, and then it became a form of minimal invasive extracapsular cataract extraction. As of now, it is one of the most common surgical procedures for cataract extraction around different parts of the globe.
But to expand your understanding of the operation, expert tips from our panel will explain what Phacoemulsification is all about. Also, know what one should know about it concerning cataract surgery.
Phacoemulsification surgery is a painless restoration of vision affected by cataracts. Using an ultrasonic way to fragment the lens into small pieces, it then liquefies it, which is then sucked through a vacuum from the eye.
Doctors substitute the damaged or opaque lens with an artificial lens. The aspirated liquids are replaced by an infusion of balanced salt solution irrigation to keep the fluidity of the anterior chamber.
Currently, phaco surgery is so much better and modern compared to the traditional ones when it comes to safety, effectiveness, and time taken for recovery after surgery.
Since its discovery in 1967, it has changed the face of cataract management into something bigger. Doctors also call Phaco surgery small incision cataract surgery.
The surgeon gains access to the lens of your eye within the capsule surrounding it. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted into the eye using a handheld device to produce an emulsified gel-like mass by breaking apart the lens.
This is subsequently drained by being flushed with sterile fluids and suctioned out of the eye using a vacuum source (aspiration).
This hand-held ultrasound device is referred to as a phaco machine. It has features such as handpieces, a foot pedal, and irrigation and aspiration systems. Irrespective of that, it also has a variety of tips bent at different angles to accurately deliver the ultrasonic energy.
Pre-surgery, your eye doctor will:
Pre-surgery, there's an eye examination that every patient must go through to find out whether he/she is fit to go under a knife. On the surgery day, topical or local anaesthesia is given to numb your eyes so you don’t feel any pain.
A small incision of 2-3 mm is made at the cornea edge by the surgeon. This small incision is completely self-sealing, has little pain relief, and does not require stitching.
After the incision, an opening circularly is created in the thin membrane enveloping the cataract lens.
An ultrasonic probe is inserted, so he vibrates the tip with ultrasound waves, thereby breaking up (or emulsifying) the cloudy lens into very tiny fragments. This is accomplished using cavitation, which means the creation of gas bubbles that disassemble lens material.
After emulsification, the pieces are then aspirated using the same probe as though it were an excision, thus, effectively removing the cataract from the eye.
After the extraction of cataracts, the artificial intraocular lens implants are inserted into the empty capsule where the natural lens used to be.
The procedure normally takes less than an hour so that a patient can go home on the same day. Further appointments are set up to check on being healed and the improvement in vision.
Generally, complete recovery from phaco cataract surgery may take about two to four weeks. Till then, do follow these tips:
A phacoemulsification surgery only requires a small incision of just 2 to 3 mm. That is fairly smaller compared to the already small traditional incisions for cataract surgeries (around 11 mm). Because the incision creates less trauma to the eye and thus promotes faster healing.
The small incisions involved in phacoemulsification are self-sealing; that is to say, there is no necessitate for stitches most of the time. This feature minimizes complications associated with incision size and recovery time.
As a result of its small incision site, surgically induced astigmatism is relatively rare: thus, more patients might expect better visual results and lesser dependence on spectacles after surgery.
Patients usually recover quite quickly; most can go back to their normal routine within a day after the procedure. This is one of the things that draws people towards phacoemulsification.
Phacoemulsification has a high success rate so high, approximately 98 or 99 percent, which underlines it as one of the most effective surgical procedures for restoring vision in cataract patients.
Phacoemulsification is generally faster and less complicated than the traditional method and so results in less time for operation and hospitalization. Most patients usually go home on the same day of their surgery.
Such that most patients find the first few days following the procedure with very obvious improvement in vision, and this is due to the precision and efficiency of the phacoemulsification technique.
There are some key eligibility criteria before performing phacoemulsification surgery:
Visual impairment must be adequate due to cataracts and it should affect daily routine activities. Seeing clearness, glaring, and seeing poorly at night.
Good overall eye health. The presence of other ocular conditions like severe glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration may affect if conditions complicate the surgery or make recovery difficult.
Patients whose eye diseases or conditions may affect the chances of success following surgery treatment are generally considered unsuitable candidates. Examples are retinal detachment and major corneal opacities.
Must have realistic expectations regarding the results of surgery. One must understand the possible side effects and advantages of phacoemulsification.
The age restriction does not exist; however, the oldest ones normally come into this surgery category as cataracts tend to be more present in them than younger ones. Nevertheless, sometimes the younger candidates may opt for it.
Patients should be able to give informed consent, meaning they understand this procedure and its implications.
Applicants must be able to follow post-operative care protocols, follow work visits, and recover properly.
Phacoemulsification may be recommendable to some professionals (like pilots and drivers) because good vision is one of the requirements in their profession.
Phacoemulsification is a modern and revolutionary cataract surgery that corrects vision by removing the damaged and clouded lens and replacing it with a new intraocular lens. Post-phaco, 4-5 weeks are required to obtain optimal vision and complete healing. For more inquiries, consult our team of experienced and well-trained eye surgeons at Vision Concern.
Ans: Yes. Phacoemulsification has several advantages over conventional methods including small incision, rapid recuperation, low complication rate, and superior visual outcome.
Ans: Yes. There is phacoemulsification laser surgery too. The process is the same but the doctor uses a laser light instead of a knife. It improves the basic surgery incision and leads to a faster recovery process.
Ans: Many patients experience quite a significant improvement in vision, meaning they need not wear glasses for distance vision, but may sometimes require reading glasses for related tasks.
Yes, we provide emergency eye care for conditions like eye injuries, sudden vision loss, and infections. If you experience any urgent eye problems, please contact us immediately, and our team will assist you in getting the care you need.
Signs to watch for include blurry vision, floaters, sudden loss of vision, eye pain, redness, or sensitivity to light. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an eye exam at Vision Concern Eye Clinic as soon as possible for early diagnosis and treatment.
If you’re experiencing blurred vision, headaches, or eye strain, it may be a sign that you need glasses or contact lenses. Our eye exams will help determine whether you need corrective lenses. We’ll also discuss your options based on your lifestyle and preferences, including glasses, contacts, or even refractive surgery like LASIK.
