Cataract Surgery

• Aging
• Diabetes
• Smoking and alcohol
• Overexposure to sunlight and other ultraviolet
• Previous eye injure
• Family history of cataract
• Certain medications as corticosteroids and chlorpromazine

• Blurry or filmy vision
• Double vision
• Weak night vision
• Frequent prescription changes in eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Glare. Lights or lamps may appear to be severe.

Cataract surgery is a procedure done with local anesthesia so the patient is awake during the surgery and takes from 30 to 45 minutes to perform. The most common technique used is Phacoemulsification. Before the start of the surgery drops will be put in the eye to dilate the pupil. Local anesthetic will be given through an injection into the tissue around the eye. The surgeon will make a tiny cut in the cornea. A small probe that emits ultrasound waves is inserted through the cornea into the eye to break the affected lens into pieces, which are then liquefied and sucked out. The remaining soft pieces of the lens on the outer parts are sucked out by another probe. Once the affected lens is removed, the surgeon will insert a small plastic lens in place. Replacement lens is usually curled up in an injector and injected through the cut made in the cornea and when it is in place it unfolds itself and adopts the natural position of the old lens.

There are different types of lenses, which may be applied by the surgeon considering the patients needs and wants. While the focus areas of the lenses increase, the prices of the lenses increase exponentially, increasing the price of the operation accordingly.

Monofocal Lenses – the most used lenses that work well for correcting vision at one distance and glasses will still be necessary to use. The monofocal lenses don’t correct astigmatism as well.

Multifocal Lenses – it did not take long to realize that monofocal lenses did not meet all the needs so multifocal lenses were invented starting with bifocal lenses. Multifocal lenses are mostly suitable for people over the age of 40 and who are affected by presbyopia.

There are different types of multifocal lenses. These type of lenses help improving the distant and near visions.  As the improvements in all areas of the world continue, the need for a better multifocal lens emerged. Especially while looking at mid-distances, like looking at a computer, bifocal lenses did not meet the needs. Therefore, trifocal lenses were invented where it was aimed to permanently free patients from using glasses. These lenses help improving the vision at all distances – near, intermediate and far. The multifocal lenses are the closest ones to give a perfect vision in both eyes.

Toric Contact Lenses – specially designed lenses that correct astigmatism and differ from normal contact lenses because of its shape and its different power to correct astigmatism.

• Male and female patients over the age of 40
• Patients who are at a good health condition
• Patients who are healthy both mentally and physically

• Patients need to undergo tests – a week before the surgery a painless ultrasound test will be done to measure the shape and size of the eye.
• Patients will need to stop taking medication and herbal supplements as they can increase the risk of bleeding during the surgery.
• Patients may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops to be used from 2 days before the surgery.
• Eating and drinking is restricted from 12 hours before the surgery.
• Patients need to arrange a friend to come to the surgery with and to go home and if necessary help at home because activity will be limited and the eye will be covered with a eye patch or bandage.

• After the surgery patients may have a blurred vision at first but as the eye heals the vision will begin to improve.
• The eye may feel itching and the patient may feel discomfort for a couple of days after the surgery.
• Patients must avoid rubbing or pushing the eye.
• Patients may be advised to wear an eye patch or protective shield for a few days after the surgery and when sleeping.
• Eye drops and medication prescribed must be taken correctly and on time.
• The eye will complete healing within 8 weeks after the surgery.

Just like every surgery there are some risks with a cataract surgery as well such as

• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Secondary cataract
• Loss of vision

If any of the ones below show up then immediate contact must be made with the surgeon

• Vision loss
• Pain in the eye
• Increased eye redness
• Light flashes or multiple new spots in front of the eye
• Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing

Iris – the colored part of the eye

Pupil – the black part in the middle of the eye

Cornea – transparent part of the eye covering the iris and pupil

Astigmatism –the front surface of the eye is less round and more irregular in shape so the image does not focus clearly on the retina in the back of the eye, which can result in poor vision and glare

Nausea – discomfort and unease that occurs in the upper stomach

Local Anesthesia – induces absence of sensation to a specific part of the body

The patient will attend a consultation with the ophthalmologist and will be advised about the procedure and their condition. The patient will then be taken through a couple of tests that are required before the treatment. The patient will be prescribed antibiotic eye drops, which will have to be used from 2 days prior the surgery. If desired, patients can spend the day to rest and attend the clinic the next day.

There is no need for attending the clinic but the patient must use the prescribed medications and rest.

The Cataract surgery will be performed. The surgery will take between 30 to 45 minutes to perform. The surgery will be done using a WaveTec Optiwave refractive analysis, which is an advanced optical device, used during the replacement of the lens in the cataract surgery, and a Catalys precision laser system, which is also used to remove the cataract. The surgery will be done under local anesthesia so the patient is awake but won’t feel anything. Once the surgery ends the eye will be covered with an eye patch to be protected and the patient can return to their settlement for resting with someone accompanying.

Patients will attend a post surgery check up and consultation. If they are approved to be in a good, healthy condition and the surgery results were all successful; the patients are advised with post treatment care requirements and are ready to go back to their normal routine.

• Trip schedule may vary. medicTurkey patient relations will provide you a detailed trip schedule before the travel.

• For details on accommodation, transportation and other services, please check the SERVICES page.

Cataract surgery is a procedure done with local anesthesia. The most common technique used is Phacoemulsification. Before the start of the surgery drops will be put in the eye to dilate the pupil. Local anesthetic will be given as an injection into the tissue around the eye. The surgeon will make a tiny cut in the cornea. A small probe that emits ultrasound waves is inserted through the cornea into the eye to break the affected lens into pieces, which are then liquefied and sucked out. The remaining soft pieces of the lens on the outer parts are sucked out by another probe. Once the affected lens is removed the surgeon will insert a small plastic lens in place. Replacement lens is usually curled up in a injector and injected through the cut made in the cornea and when it is in place it unfolds itself and adopts the natural position of the old lens.

The surgery usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes to perform.

The surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis so the patient is sent home a few hours after the surgery.

The recommended stay in Turkey for Cataract surgery is 3-4 days including consultation before the surgery and after the surgery.

The surgery is suitable for almost everyone who is suffering from a cataract.

The Systems of a Cataract are

• Clouded, blurred or dim vision
• Increasing difficulty of vision at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Halos
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in a single eye

Patients are able to return to work after 2 days from the surgery.

Just like every surgery there are some risks with a cataract surgery as well such as

• Inflammation
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Retinal detachment
• Glaucoma
• Secondary cataract
• Loss of vision

If any of the ones below show up then immediate contact must be made with the surgeon

• Vision loss
• Pain in the eye
• Increased eye redness
• Light flashes or multiple new spots in front of the eye
• Nausea, vomiting or excessive coughing