Clouding of the natural lens of the eye, most commonly due to aging process, is known as cataract. It is the most common cause of vision loss in India, and all over the world. It can be treated by a simple cataract extraction microsurgery, which is performed using advanced technology in a short time. The Himalayan Eye Institute is fully equipped with the most modern technology for performing sutureless cataract surgeries through a 2.8mm (or less) incision with the implantation of foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs).IOL power calculation is performed using high precision noncontact OA-2000 Optical Biometer (Tomey, Japan). Phacoemulsification surgery is performed with the help of two of the most advanced machines, the Centurion® Vision System (Alcon, USA), and the Legion® System (Alcon, USA), which make cataract surgery safer and faster. Recovery is usually quick and painless, with early rehabilitation back to work.
Restoring Sight, Reviving Lives : All types of Cataract surgeries are perfomed with precision.
Every human being has a natural lens in their eye which helps them to see. With age, this lens gradually becomes opacified, and vision becomes blurred. This condition is known as cataract.
In cataract surgery, this damaged lens is removed and in its place, a new artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted, which helps the patient to see clearly again.
At the Himalayan Eye Institute, 3 types of cataract surgery are availabe:
a) Micro-Phaco - Surgery is performed through a 2.2 mm incision, and a foldable IOL is implanted. It has the most rapid recovery time and minimal post-operative pain.
b) Phaco - Surgery is performed through a 2.8 mm incision, and a foldable IOL is implanted. It also has rapid recovery time and minimal post-operative pain.
c) Manual SICS - Surgery is performed manually with a 6-7 mm incision and a rigid/foldable IOL is implanted. It has a slower recovery time.
A wide variety of lenses are available at the Himalayan Eye Institute:
a) Monofocal lenses - These lenses give clear vision for the distance after surgery. However, glasses will be required for near vision. They are available from both Indian and foreign manufacturer companies.
b) Trifocal lenses - These are advanced lenses which provide clear vision for distance, intermediate (eg. computer use) and near vision (eg reading) after surgery.
c) Toric lenses - These lenses are suitable for patients who have pre-existing high cylindrical power (astigmatism), which can be corrected by this lens.
d) EDOF lenses - Extended depth of focus lenses are the newest lenses available which give clear vision for the distance, as well as an extended range of vision from distance to intermediate. Glasses will be required for near vision after surgery.
Your doctor and cataract counsellor will discuss in detail with you the best suitable lenses for you after your eye's full checkup and understanding your daily activities and vision requirements. However, the final choice of lens lies with the patient after fully understanding all available options.
Foreign lenses usually come with additional features like better contrast sensitivity, crisp vision, higher clarity (like higher megapixel of camera), better lens stability, UV-absorbing and blue-light-filtering IOLs etc. However, Indian lens of high quality are also available with the above mentioned features. At the Himalayan Eye Institute, we use only those lenses which are time tested and widely used.
Once lens is put inside the eye, it is usually not removed or replaced during lifetime like we frequently change our spectacles. Hence, it is always advisable to opt for better quality lens, especially if patients do more outdoor activities, drive at night, spend significant time on computers, watching TV and mobile etc.
The most common cause of cataract formation is increasing age. Almost every human being will develop cataract in both their eyes in their lifetime. Poor nutrition, increased oxidative stress, smoking, co-existing eye disease, history of eye surgery, traumatic injury to the eye, co-existing systemic disease such as diabetes, may cause earlier formation of cataract.
Your doctor will discuss with you the stage of your cataract and the need for immediate or delayed surgery. Currently, the only treatment for cataract is by surgery, and no medicine is known to reverse or prevent cataract formation. In very early stage of cataract, the doctor may recommend to use glasses, and be on regularcheckup. However, ultimately, a surgery needs to be planned for the same.
Waiting for "maturity" of cataract is an old concept associated with older generation of surgery. Modern cataract surgery is best performed at an appropriate stage decided by the doctor, much before maturity. In fact, maturity is often associated with higher risk of complications during surgery. The correct stage for modern cataract surgery is a mutual decision between the doctor and the patient, depending on the grade and type of cataract, and the patient's visual requirements.
Gradual, painless of dimness in vision, not fully improving with glass, is the hallmark of a progressing cataract. Some patients may also experience double vision, difficulty in night vision, or difficulty in bright light conditions.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most painless procedures, with high success rate in expert hands; however it should not be considered a minor procedure. Like any surgical procedure, it is associated with certain risks, which will be discussed by your doctor and cataract counsellor, as well as explicitly mentioned in consent form.
Modern cataract surgery is a very safe and painless procedure. It is a daycare procedure, and you do not need to be admitted overnight for the same. Even though the procedure only takes 15-20 minutes, you are advised to keep 4-6 hours in hand for entire hospital stay, from pre-operative medication to post operative recovery period. The surgery is performed with topical (using drops) or local (using injection) anesthesia. You will be awake during entire procedure, and even able to communicate with the surgeon, but you will not experience any pain.
Post operative recovery is usually rapid and painless. Certain restrictions such as avoiding head bath and use of dark glasses will be explained to you in detail by our counsellor. Glasses are usually prescribed 1-2 weeks after surgery.
It is really a happy moment for us! We're fortunate to get the opportunity to treat a legendary surgeon, Dr. Santanu Kar, FRCS, who is one of the pioneers to promote quality health care services (through North Bengal Clinic) in Siliguri way back in 1959! He underwent successful cataract surgeries by Dr. Supratik Banerjee with the support of Dr. Ajay Kr. Agarwal, Anesthesiologist at The Himalayan Eye Institute.
Cataract surgery performed successfully in a very challenging situation. Usually a patient has to lie flat on his back during cataract surgery to avoid the risk of complications associated with performing the procedure. But many older patients are unable to lie flat on their back for eye surgery in the supine position. In such situations, both the patient and surgeon may be uncomfortable during the surgery. If the surgeon’s view is compromised due to poor positioning, the potential risk for complications increases. However, under the supervision of our experienced Anaesthesiologist, Dr. Ajay Agarwal, yet another challenging cataract surgery was performed successfully by Dr. Shyamal Saha.
We were blessed with the gracious visit of H.E. Drubwang Sangay Nyenpa Rinpoche at The Himalayan Eye Institute with other revered Rinpoches and their followers from Nepal. H.E. Drubwang Sangay Nyenpa Rinpoche had a dense posterior sub-capsular cataract in his right eye due to which his vision was significantly reduced (BCVA 6/60). He underwent a Phaco surgery with trifocal intraocular lens and on the first post-operative day, his eye sight improved to 6/6 N6. Good eye sight is essential for the Revered Rinpoche as he spends most of his time reading and teaching.
Currently, H.E. Drubwang Sangay Nyenpa Rinpoche resides at Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. He often travels to several countries in Asia as well as in Europe in order to spread Dharma teachings, give transmission to the public and help effortlessly as many people as possible.
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