The Three Methods of Cataract Surgery

Cataract is a condition of the eye where the crystalline lens begins to cloud. Because of clouding, the light that is supposed to pass freely and where information is gathered by the optic nerve is obstructed, which causes poor vision. Although experienced mostly by old people, this cannot be totally associated with aging. There are several reasons for cataract that technically influence the surgical procedures practiced to remove it.

The most common causes of cataract include exposure to ultraviolet light and other invisible radiation, hypertension and advanced age, effects of some diseases like diabetes, and congenital factors. Cataracts can also develop from physical damage of the eye leading to trauma. Generally, as a force or a harmful form of radiation is applied to the eye, the emulsified structure of the crystalline lens is disrupted causing it to look coagulated.

Cataract surgery has become popular in the previous decades because of the accumulated cases that have been treated. Ninety percent of the surgery performed succeeded with very minimal number of reported side effects. Many surgeons in large and highly industrialized cities like Houston perform either of the three methods of cataract surgery – extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) and phacoemulsification.

ECCE is the first method to be used as the cataract surgery Houston adopts. Traditionally, the only goal of the operation is to remove the cloudlike formation in the crystalline lens. Therefore the existing layers prior to the lens are penetrated through an incision. ECCE creates a 10 to 12 mm incision that eventually requires stitching or suture. Upon incision of the cornea or sclera, the lens is manually expressed to remove the cataract.

ICCE is different from ECCE in that a larger incision is made, causing a higher rate of complication. The removal of the cataract during this procedure subjects the vitreous body to high pressure, thus risking some vital components of the eye. This is superseded by other cataract surgery methods under cataract surgery Houston surgeons adopt to prevent long-term complications.

Phacoemulsification is the latest method being widely performed today in any cataract surgery Houston surgeons employ. This is most preferred because of the involvement of smaller incisions. Instead of applying pressure and replacing the lens with hard non-foldable artificial lens, a vibrating ultrasonic frequency is applied to emulsify the lens material. Emulsification brings back all materials in their original position and form, removing the cloudiness and bringing back the vision.