CATARACT

Netra Jyoti Kendra - The best cataract hospital in Faizabad / Ayodhya

What is a Cataract / Motiyabindu

Cataracts (or motiya in eyes) is one of the most commonly seen eye conditions. We have purposefully not called it as a disease. You see, cataract is actually an aging process of the lens which is normally present in the eyes. Cataract Surgery is one of the most common surgeries our ophthalmologists / eye doctors / cataract surgeons perform at Netra Jyoti Kendra. The surgery is called ‘Phacoemulsification’ or ‘Phaco Surgery’. In hindi it is simply known as ‘Motiya operation’. Netra Jyoti Kendra can safely be considered as one of the best hospitals for Motiyabind operation or a cataract surgery.
The word “Cataract” means large waterfall. You will agree a large waterfall is usually white in colour. So is the medical condition of cataract or Motiya.

STRUCTURE OF EYE

When we look at someone, we see brown eyes and this brown part is known as the iris. There is a transparent layer in front of the iris called the cornea. Usually contact lens wearers are aware of this layer because they wear their contact lenses on the cornea.

If you notice closely you will see a central black circle in the iris. This is actually a hole in the iris and is called the pupil. The natural lens of the eye is situated behind the iris and can be seen through the pupil. It is through this pupil that light enters the eye and one can see things.

We are all born with this natural lens in the eye. This lens helps in focussing rays of light onto the retina so that one can see clearly.

FUNCTIONING OF THE EYE

All of us have used a camera. We know that sometimes the camera takes a few seconds to focus on something to make it clear. It Autofocusses. You will agree that we humans can see clearly for all distances be it very far or very near. Thats because this lens inside the eye helps in autofocussing similar to a camera. As we age, this ability to autofocus reduces and this is felt first at the age of around 40 years. This is the time when one may feel that they are not comfortable reading things for near. As the years go by the reading number gradually increases. That is why we need a reading number of a higher number as we age.

HOW DOES A CATARACT (MOTIYA) FORM ?

Now, the natural lens of the eye is made up of natural proteins. These proteins age as we grow older. With age, the colour and consistency of the protein fibres change and slowly the fibres become yellow and white. This is known as a CATARACT.

Thus, one should not consider a cataract as a disease and worry. It is nothing but an aging process and its natural for a cataract to occur.

So with age, the transparent lens is now made up of yellow and white fibres and thus blocks some light from entering the eye. At this point a person with cataract starts complaining of poor vision and may visit their ophthalmolgist.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CATARACT (MOTIBINDU) ?

During the inital stages of cataract the complaints are mild. Like halos around the oncoming headlights or poor vision in dim light or simply not being happy with their vision.

In the later stages, as the cataract advances, people may complain of poor vision as compared to before. Some may also not be able to perform routine daily activities.

Many years ago, lets say 35 years ago, technology was not available with an ophthalmologist to treat or operate on a cataract in the early stages. Thus, the ophthalmologist always told the patient that the cataract was not ripe and that they should wait for some more time. The patient and the ophthalmologist, both were willing for surgery but the technology did not permit for that to happen. Today ophthalmologists can perform a cataract surgery even before a cataract has developed, because of the available technology.

"WHEN SHOULD I UNDERGO CATARACT SURGERY ?"

The answer to that is simple. One can undergo cataract surgery at anytime when they feel they are not enjoying their vision. Now, enjoying quality of vison is different for different people. So some may choose to get it done early and some may choose to get it done late. Both the choices are correct and there is no right or wrong.

Cataract surgery is done by a technique called ‘Phacoemulsification’, also sometimes known as ‘Phaco Surgery’. It is performed by eye doctors or ophthalmologist. All ophthalmologists are cataract surgeons.

But the fact remains that surgery is the only option to correct or improve vision affected by cataract.

The first thing to do would be to undergo a cataract consultation by your ophthalmologist. It would help you understand if you even have a cataract and what could be the next steps you could consider taking.