One of the anatomical structures of the eye important in the process of seeing is the lens. It is the structure of the eye located at the
middle of the round opening of the iris (pupil) and functionally somehow similar to an optical lens in a photographic camera.
The lens is a transparent structure, but different causes (see below) can lead to murkiness or cloudiness of lens matter. Development of this
cloudiness in the lens is what is called Cataract.
In almost all cases, cataract causes painless, gradual reduction or loss of vision. The vision is becoming foggy or cloudy. Depending on the type of the cataract some patients may start by complaining of difficulty in tolerating bright light (glare) while driving at night or watching television. This will also be accompanied by failing vision, which increases with time. Cataract can also be the cause of sudden visual loss when it is caused by a trauma to the eye.
A 50 year old man from Kambare in Bondo District before and after cataract surgery. He was blind in both eyes from cataract for the last four years.
We examined him in an eye camp sponsored by "OUD IN AFRICA" and performed the cataract surgery at Sabatia Eye Hospital. He went home happy and eager
to restart his life after the surgery restored good sight in both eyes.There is no medical treatment for cataract. Patients who qualify for cataract surgery should be confirmed with proper slit lamp examination,
routine check up for intraocular pressure, blood sugar and blood pressure before surgery. At admission Biometry is done to determine the power
of the intra-ocular lens to be inserted.
There are various types of surgical intervention techniques. At present the
commonly done are small incision sutureless surgery and phacoemulsification
surgery. Surgery in adults is mostly done under a local anesthesia and doesn't
take more than 20-30 minutes in average. However, all the techniques applied
are based on the basic principles of removing the cataractous lens and replacing
it with an Intra-Ocular Lens (IOL). This is a small (about 6.5 mm in diameter)
clear and transparent artificial lens that is put inside the eye at the place
of the cataractous lens. It is designed to replace the optical functions of
the natural lens and stays unlimited in the eye. Most patients can obtain a
normal vision from total blindness.
Cataract surgery in children is done under general anesthesia with a slight modification of the normal procedure in adults.