Making statements about cataract disease, Ophthalmology and Retinal Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil warned about the symptoms of the disease and the treatment process.
COLORS LOSE THEIR LIFE AND A FOGGY AND FOGGY IMAGE IS CREATED”
Stating that cataract disease is caused by the loss of transparency of the lens in our eye, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “Thanks to the transparent lens (lens) in our eyes, the light coming into our eyes is refracted and falls on the retina, which is the nerve layer of the eye, and is perceived. In the structure of our eye lens, there is generally water and protein. With advancing age, this protein structure deteriorates and causes our lens to become cloudy. In cataract disease that occurs in this way, our lens loses its transparency over time and the light coming into our eyes begins to fall on the retina less frequently. Colors lose their vitality, and a foggy and foggy image occurs in our vision. There are several types of cataracts, including age-related, traumatic, and metabolic. Age-related cataract is the most common type and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. Traumatic cataracts can occur after both blunt and penetrating eye injuries, as well as electric shock, chemical burns, and radiation exposure. Metabolic cataracts occur in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, galactosemia and Wilson’s disease. said.
“CATARACT CAN ALSO BE SEEN IN YOUNG AGES AND BABIES”
Stating that age-related cataract development mainly begins after the age of 40 and progresses over time, it is often detected when the symptoms begin to be felt at the age of 55-60. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “In general, half of people over the age of 80 have cataract problems. On the other hand, contrary to the general belief, cataracts may not occur only due to aging. Although it is rare, there is a possibility that babies will be born with cataracts. We also encounter cataract formation due to trauma or chronic diseases at a young age. It will be beneficial to have regular eye checks in the 40s in order to detect the development of cataracts early and to prevent the negative effects on the patient. made the statement.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CATARACT?
Referring to the general causes of the disease, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “External factors such as smoking and alcohol use, intense exposure to sunlight, a blow to our eye area, diabetes, radiation therapy, and cortisone drugs used can also cause cataract formation. In addition to these factors, previous eye surgeries and chronic or recurrent intraocular inflammations such as uveitis can also trigger cataract formation. Cataracts in babies can also occur due to genetic reasons, diseases and medications used by the mother during pregnancy, and various eye traumas that may be exposed in the womb. made its assessment.
“SURGERY IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR CATARACT”
Stating that most people do not notice the symptoms due to the slow rate of progression of cataract disease, Prof. Dr. Göçgil said, “Due to the quality of vision declining over time, our patients start to have problems in similar activities such as difficulty in driving after dark, reading the newspaper and looking at the screen. Changes in the glasses used and the development of myopia also increase with cataracts. In some types of cataracts, glare and sudden decrease in vision disturb the patient, especially with bright lights such as car headlights. People with these symptoms generally increase the lighting rate in their homes and offices, and try to improve their vision by using glasses. Although these measures alleviate the felt effects of the disease at an early stage, the only solution for cataract disease is surgery. In the later stages of the disease, the turbidity in the lens of the eye becomes noticeable even when the eye is viewed from the outside. he said.
HOW TO TREAT A CATARACT?
Emphasizing that the only treatment for cataracts is surgery, and stating that patients can get rid of the cataract problem after the operation, which is usually performed under local anesthesia, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “Cataract surgery is called phacoemulsification. In this microsurgical technique, an opening is created in the anterior membrane of the lens by entering the eye with microblades through the glass layer of the eye, and the hardened lens is removed by breaking it into small pieces using ultrasound. A new predetermined intraocular lens is placed in this area to provide clear vision. In recent years, laser can also be used in some stages of surgery if desired. On the other hand, in some special eyes, the ligaments holding the lens in place may be weak or damaged and it may be necessary to insert specially designed lenses or sutured to the eye using specific surgical techniques. used his statements.
“LENS SELECTION IS AS IMPORTANT AS SURGERY”
Underlining that the lenses placed in the eye continue to function in the eye for life and that our vision is provided by these lenses, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “In addition to a good surgical procedure, choosing the right and quality lenses is also very important. There are many types of these lenses used in cataract surgeries. Today, many different lenses are produced according to the characteristics of the eyes and the need to see at different distances. explained as.
“THE MEDICAL DECISION IN LENS SELECTION NEEDS TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION”
Today, with the technological developments in recent years, many and different intraocular lenses are produced and this technology continues to develop. Dr. Göçgil made the following statements in the continuation of his statement:
“In addition to single-focal lenses, trifocal or multifocal lenses, which are popularly known as smart lenses, which can see far, medium and close distances, are also frequently used in recent years. Again, with different designs produced with new technology, lens types that allow seeing at 60 cm without compromising the quality of distance vision provide additional benefits in eyes where multifocal lenses are not suitable. Differently, in eyes that have had cataract surgery and were fitted with a single focal lens, close vision can be achieved with a second additional lens to be placed in the eye, if the anatomy is appropriate.
In the selection of the ideal intraocular lens (lens), a medical decision is made by considering all the structural features of the eye. Other accompanying diseases that may adversely affect vision, such as age-related macular degeneration, membrane formation in the yellow spot, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, edema in the yellow spot and similar conditions are evaluated. Necessary imaging examinations are performed. In addition to this, the patient’s life activities, which activities he mostly engages in, and expectations should be discussed in detail. As a result of all these data, a decision is made about the type of lens that will have the most efficient vision quality for the patient. Sometimes this may not be the lens that the patient hears from around and comes willingly. This situation should be explained to the patient in detail.
“CATARACT DOES NOT DEVELOP A SECOND TIME IN THE OPERATED EYES”
Our eyes heal in an average of four weeks after cataract surgery. Drops are used in this process. As an answer to the frequently asked question by patients, a second cataract does not develop in the operated eye. As a result of the proliferation of cells in the transparent tissue, which is the lens’s own capsule, where we place the lens, an opaque membrane can develop over time. This is also called secondary cataract and the patient may begin to see blurred again. This membrane layer is removed with a light therapy called YAG laser capsulotomy, which takes a very short time and is applied with a special device while the patient is sitting, and our patient regains his sight.
