What is a cataract?

Cataract is a slowly developing clouding of the lens in your eye, commonly due to aging. With progression of the disease a gray coloring can be seen behind the pupil. Cataracts interrupt the path of light through the normally clear lens of the eye and lead to blurred vision.

cataract eye surgery Vienna


Learn more about cataracts in this 3-minute video:


How do you notice these diseases?

Your symptoms could be the following:

  • You notice symptoms such as blurred vision, increased glare (especially at night when driving)
  • Your perception of contrasts is reduced and you see “as through a mist”
  • Deterioration of your visual acuity

If you have these or similar symptoms, a careful eye examination is required to clarify the exact cause.

 

cataract surgery

As you see with (out of focus, such as through a curtain) and without a cataract

 

The examination of the cataract

For the examination, a visual acuity test as well as a (painless) dilation of the pupil are necessary, therefore, please leave your car at home. Use public transportation or take a “driver” along. The pupil dilating drops will affect your ability to drive for approx. 4 hours.

Depending on the results of the eye examination, a surgery may or may not be necessary.

In a comprehensive conversation, I will advise you about the necessity of a surgery, the details of the procedure, the expected outcome and possible side effects. It is a major concern for me to address all of your questions and to explain in detail how the surgery will be performed.

 

The cataract surgery

I perform this operation with the newest microincision techniques and intraocular lens materials. The lens material includes UV or blue light filters to protect against damage to the retina and is spherical for better vision. Furthermore, there are special intraocular lenses available both for near and distance vision (multifocal intraocular lenses) or for the correction of astigmatism (toric intraocular lenses). By applying the latest technology you will recover faster and will have excellent refractive results.

With a quite painless and short surgery your clouded lens is removed (phacoemulsification) and is replaced by an intraocular lens. This procedure is mostly done in a day clinic (you can go home a few hours after the surgery) or sometimes as an inpatient procedure (you stay one night in the hospital).

 

Cataracts (before and after surgery, sim.) preoperative, postoperative

Cataracts (before and after surgery, sim.)

Usually, I perform this surgical procedure under topical anesthesia. However, if you wish, I can perform this surgical procedure under sedoanalgesia (combination of sedation and painkillers) or general anesthesia. Usually, after this surgery you can immediately return to work, and depending on the vision of your other eye, you can drive the next day. Treatment with eye drops will continue for 3 to 4 weeks, and the determination of new eyeglasses will be done 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

After-cataract: treatment with laser

After cataract surgery, in which the body’s own cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens, some patients may experience secondary cataract formation.

This is an occasional complication in which the posterior lens capsule, which is retained during the operation as the carrier of the new lens, becomes cloudy over time. The result is a renewed deterioration in vision, which may show symptoms of the original cataract.

A special eye laser, the YAG laser, is the go-to treatment for the after-cataract. YAG stands for “yttrium aluminum garnet,” the material the laser crystal is made of.

The YAG laser performs a procedure called capsulotomy. In this procedure, the doctor uses the laser to cut a small hole in the clouded posterior capsule. This creates a clear central opening that allows light to pass unhindered to the retina again, improving vision.

The YAG laser procedure is quick, painless, and performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. It takes only a few minutes, and patients can notice an improvement in visual acuity almost immediately.

I have successfully performed more than 6,000 cataract surgeries, so you can benefit from my many years of experience and the latest research.

If you have questions about cataracts or the surgical procedure, please contact me.

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