Cataract – a disease most common among older people, during which vision weakens due to clouding of the eye lens. “The only treatment for this disease is surgical. In our clinic, 30–40 cataract surgeries are performed daily for decades – from the simplest to the most complex, using the most advanced technologies,” says Prof. Reda Žemaitienė, Head of the Eye Diseases Clinic, in a press release.
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According to ophthalmologist Lina Alūzaitė-Baranauskienė from the Eye Diseases Clinic, as the eye lens clouds, less and less light penetrates the eye, so a person begins to see as if through fog or dirty glass. “As the disease progresses, colors take on a yellowish tint, objects become blurry. It becomes difficult to drive a car, to see on a sunny day. When looking with one eye, the image may start to double,” the doctor describes the symptoms of the disease.
According to Vida, reading caused her the most difficulties. Before the surgery, different artificial lens options were discussed with the patient. “Prof. R. Žemaitienė asked what kind of lens I would like and mentioned several options. When she said that one of them would allow seeing both far and near, I immediately agreed,” the patient says.
According to L. Alūzaitė-Baranauskienė, multifocal artificial lenses can reduce a person’s dependence on glasses – vision can be better both up close, at intermediate distances, and far away. “Such lenses may be suitable for active patients who need good vision at different distances. However, after implantation, a somewhat longer adaptation period may be required,” the doctor emphasizes.
During cataract surgery, a cloudy natural lens is removed through a small incision in the eye and a clear artificial lens is implanted, which is selected according to the individual patient’s needs and the condition of the eye. According to the doctor, cataract surgery is painless and usually takes less than 30 minutes.
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During cataract surgery, a femtosecond laser may also be used in clinics. According to L. Alūzaitė-Baranauskienė, this technology allows extremely precise incisions in the cornea and breaking up the clouded lens nucleus.
“During a conventional cataract surgery, the lens is broken up using ultrasonic energy. The femtosecond laser can reduce the need for this energy, which is especially important in cases of damaged cornea or advanced cataract when the lens is very hard,” explains the doctor.
In such cases, a lower amount of ultrasonic energy helps to preserve the surrounding eye tissues and can be important for smoother postoperative healing.
After the surgery, Vida felt the change in her vision immediately, but what surprised her most was not only the improved vision but also the changed colors. “It improved right after the surgery. The colors are now even more beautiful and vivid than when my eyes were healthy,” the woman rejoices.
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