PHACOEMULSIFICATION
What is Phacoemulsification?
Phacoemulsification becomes more popular in recent years, and is now the preferred cataract removal surgery. Though this procedure has been existing for a long time, modern advances and refinements in machine and microsurgical instruments have made it safer and more effective than earlier.
The technique of phacoemulsification utilizes a small incision. The tip of the instrument is inserted into the eye through this small cut. Localized high frequency waves are generated through this tip which breaks the cataract into fragments and pieces, which are then sucked out through the same tip in a controlled way. A thin 'capsule' or shell is left behind after cleaning up of the entire opaque cataract.
The cut size for phacoemulsification is just about 3.0 millimeters in width. If a lens implant that can be folded is used following removal of the cataract, this cut may not have to be enlarged. If a lens is used which cannot be folded, the cut must be enlarged to 5.0 or 5.5 mm.
Phacoemulsification becomes more popular in recent years, and is now the preferred cataract removal surgery. Though this procedure has been existing for a long time, modern advances and refinements in machine and microsurgical instruments have made it safer and more effective than earlier.
The technique of phacoemulsification utilizes a small incision. The tip of the instrument is inserted into the eye through this small cut. Localized high frequency waves are generated through this tip which breaks the cataract into fragments and pieces, which are then sucked out through the same tip in a controlled way. A thin 'capsule' or shell is left behind after cleaning up of the entire opaque cataract.
The cut size for phacoemulsification is just about 3.0 millimeters in width. If a lens implant that can be folded is used following removal of the cataract, this cut may not have to be enlarged. If a lens is used which cannot be folded, the cut must be enlarged to 5.0 or 5.5 mm.
No stitches required after Phacoemulsification
PHACO surgery
The incision (cut) required for phacoemulsification is small (3 mm) and the wound construction is such that it is self-sealing. hence a surgery, in which a foldable lens has been implanted through the small 3 mm incision, usually does not need any stitch, as it is watertight. The surgeries in which the incision has been enlarged (5 or 5.5 mm) to put a lens that cannot be folded, is probably requiring one stitch, since the cut is larger.
What are the advantages of Phacoemulsification
In a conventional surgery the incision (cut) is larger (10-12 mm) and need stitches for closing. This larger incision (cut) takes 6-8 weeks to heal. Additionally, the stitches can cause alteration of the normal curvature of the cornea (the clear part of eye) and thus lead to astigmatism and blurred vision because of this.
conventional surgery
Basically all the advantages of phacoemulsification are because of small incision (cut), which is self-sealing. The cut is more stable and the chances of complications are minimized. The patients can continue their normal activity faster as compared to conventional extra capsular surgery. The incision (cut) healing is faster and more predictable, and therefore glasses can be prescribed much earlier as compared to the conventional surgery. As the incision is small and in many cases stitches are not necessary, the cornea doesn’t get distorted and hence the chances of significant astigmatism are minimized.
At Sulochana Eye Hospital, the surgeons routinely perform Phacoemulsification with foldable intra ocular lens implantation.
At Sulochana Eye Hospital, the surgeons routinely perform Phacoemulsification with foldable intra ocular lens implantation.
