by Paul Oranika

Created on: November 19, 2009   Last Updated: November 21, 2009

In the past, eye doctors often treated cataract problems in the later stages of the disease, after patients had developed poor vision. Today with the development of Laser treatment, the cataract problem is treated much earlier in the process. Cataract Laser Treatment is an operation which optometrists perform with the use of a microscope to correct vision problems. Because of the small size of the opening through which the operation is conducted, generally no stitches are necessary.

Cataract is an eye condition, which involves clouding in the lens of the eye. It generally affects older persons. Over the years, water is continually absorbed in the lens of the eye, causing some swelling of the fibres of the lens. Over time, such build up may block the lens and hamper vision. Prior to the actual cataract removal operation, the patient's eye is systematically examined to determine the suitability of such an operation. Also, optometrists check for other eye problems, which could complicate the cataract removal. Often follow-up eye exams and tests are recommended. These extra steps are designed to avoid any problems, although doctors agree that chances of the patient's eye rejecting the plastic lens, which replaces the lens with the cataracts, is very small.

Almost all cataract removal operations are conducted with a local unaesthetic. Unlike a general anaesthetic, a local anaesthetic allows the patient to be fully awake during the operation, but feel no pain during the procedure. During the surgery, the cataract patient loses most of their vision. When an object moves near the eye, the patient may still see a vague image of that object, but not enough to know what it is.

Cataracts impair vision by blocking the lens of the eye. Through the use of new technology, doctors are able to perform a laser cataract removal process. The surgery usually lasts about 20 minutes, however it could take longer. During this operation, the doctor removes the lens in the eye with the cataract, and replaces it with a clear plastic lens. This plastic lens, often referred to as the intra-ocular lens implant, will be permanently placed in the eye. It dramatically restores the patient's vision over time.

The name of the operation is somewhat deceiving; the cataract removal surgery is not performed with Laser as implied. The laser is only used afterward, if there are minor issues with the plastic lens, such as the lens capsule becoming cloudy. A laser is used because it is not necessary to make another incision into the eye to perform this function. Most cataract patients notice some improvement in their sight immediately after the cataract is removed. Normally, it takes some time for full vision to be restored. This process can be as long as two months, depending on the patient's general eye condition. After the surgery, chances are that your eyeglasses prescription will change because the plastic lenses generally work best for long-distance vision.

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