Essentials of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is the process for removing the natural lens of the eye that has developed an opacification and replacing it with an intraocular lens. The opacification, which is referred to as a cataract, is developed due to metabolic changes of the crystalline lens fibers over time. Early symptoms of cataract disease include reduced acuity at low light levels, and strong glare from lights and small light sources at night. The cloudy natural lens of the patient is either removed by the process of phacoemulsification or by extracapsular cataract extraction. In phacoemulsification, either a machine with an ultrasonic handpiece with titanium or steel tip, or a cracker machine is used. Extracapsular cataract extraction involves the technique where the entire lens is taken out while the elastic lens capsule is left intact. This enables the implantation of an artificial lens. An intraocular lens is inserted in the surgery through a small or enlarged incision. The ever-growing need for advanced technology is the reason that has fueled the research in the field of cataract surgery in recent times. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world in this area of study. With state-of-the-art inputs by acclaimed experts of this field, it targets students and professionals.