Cataract surgery is not the only means of treating cataracts. There are other means of solving or treating cataracts. As good as it may sound to the ear that cataract surgery is the best way to remove the cataract, could you believe it also has its limitations.
But before we proceed, we need to have a piece of background knowledge about what is cataract surgery.
What is a cataract?
There’s no doubt about the fact that cataract is an eye disease. For over five centuries now, this eye problem has stylishly made its way to every nation. There’s no country in the world without countless patients battling cataracts. In the US, it was recorded that cataract is a familiar eye problem people are fighting. Also, the Australians can talk about what they are facing and how they’ve been visiting eye clinics. What am I saying in essence? A cataract is not a strange eye problem to the world. Learn more about types of cataracts.
If you have seen some symptoms like the glare of light, trouble seeing at night, astigmatism, inability to read, etc., you need to consult your doctor for a proper checkup. You might be suffering from a cataract. Cataracts occur when there’s a solid or cloudy zone in the eye’s lens. This eye problem regularly begins when the protein in the eye generates clumps that prevent the lens from sending or transporting clear images to the retina. Don’t forget that the work of the retina is to change the light that comes via the lens into signals. Also, the retina leads signals to the optic nerve before the brain receives them. One fearful thing about cataract is that it occurs bit by bit and if one joke with it, it could result in total blindness. So, if you’ve been diagnosed with a cataract, there are different means of restoring your vision. Some of them are; cataract surgery, medications, and lots more.
However, people prefer to go through cataract surgery. They see it as the safest and the easiest way of removing cataracts. Of course, they might be right. But that does not negate that cataract surgery has its shortcomings. Therefore, this article is about exposing the disadvantages of undergoing cataract surgery. But before we explain that, let us briefly talk about the meaning of cataract surgery.
What is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is eradicating the affected natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one. This surgery is done or carried out by a professional ophthalmologist. I can boldly tell you that everyone that has gone through this process can say something good about it. It is not as scary as it sounds to the ears. In some parts of the world, people get scared whenever they hear “surgery.” You don’t need any flattering words before you believe that the only way to restore one’s vision perfectly is by undergoing cataract surgery. It is the easiest and the safest method of getting one’s eye back to work. Don’t be deceived. People can tell you that all you need is eyeglasses. I am not saying eyeglasses cannot work. But I know that eyeglasses cannot perfectly correct your lens as undergoing this surgery would do.
Disadvantages of cataract surgery
- Cost: The cost of this surgery is one of its shortcomings. This is one of the reasons why some people prefer to use other means of correcting the natural lens other than going through this surgery. Cataract surgery is the most expensive surgery that pertains to eye treatment. People of low class cannot boldly visit an eye clinic to do this surgery. In India, cataract increases daily. The poverty rate did not allow people to go for this surgery in India. There are other countries like that whose citizens are also suffering from cataracts. The reason is that some of them couldn’t afford to pay the ophthalmologist. One strange thing about the cost of this surgery is that the cost kept on increasing every year. Also, there’s no uniform price for the cost of this surgery. A private eye clinic can place any amount they want on cataract surgery.
- Complications in surgery: The operation includes technicality. With that, the risk of complications is high. In fact, we have some people with the worst cases after doing this surgery. Anything can happen during this process. Some parts of the artificial lens that would replace the natural lens can be left inside for several reasons. This surgery can lead to another surgery if care is not taken. A post-operative itching DFD can occur after the surgery. Also, inflammation in the cornea is another likely complication that can arise after the surgery.
- Dislocation of the retina: During the procedure, there’s a high tendency that the surgeon can dislodge the retina. Although this occurrence is rare, we heard it happening. And if there’s dislodgement of the retina, the eye can completely get damaged.
- Infections: Infection is an everyday talk among those that have undergone cataract surgery. So, if this surgery is not done by a professional, people are prone to get infected. If the instrument used are not properly disinfected, the possibility of getting an eye infection is high. Also, there can be incomplete sterilization of the equipment that will be used. And once this occurs, the eye can do blind totally.
What is the side effect of cataract surgery?
If you have dryness in your eye before this surgery, it will surely increase after the surgery. Honestly, there can be slight dryness in the eye before the surgery. The doctor needs to treat it by instructing you to get some eye drops. And one must use that eye drop for two months.
On a final note
Dear reader, I hope you’ve seen something different and unique. The link to this page is what you need to share with family and friends. This article is instructive, informative, and educative. It comprises all the shortcomings of cataract eye surgery. Finally, please feel free to drop either a question or contribution in the comment box. We will surely attend to it.