- What is the cataract?
The cataract is a disabling condition with progressive loss of visual quality that could even lead to blindness. Occurs by the opacification of the natural lens inside the eye, also called crystalline. In most cases it is a condition associated with aging. It can also be seen in children (congenital), or young adults, usually caused by metabolic diseases such as diabetes. It should not be confused with pterygium, a triangular injury as a membrane that occurs on the surface of the eye, and that goes from the white of the eye and invades the cornea. The last can cause red eye and when it grows too much can decrease vision.
- How are cataracts treated?
Cataract treatment is surgical. Eyeglasses initially may partially improve vision, but in the medium term is necessary to replace the cloudy lens with a special plastic prosthesis that is placed inside the eye, in order to regain lost vision. They are no drops, pills or injections. There is no effective medical treatment to resolve the condition.
- Do all types of cataract surgery are the same?
Without neglecting the skill and technique of the surgeon, there are other factors that make the difference in cataract surgery. We are currently performing cataract surgery with the latest technology in surgical equipment and supplies, enabling us to deliver excellent results in 98% or 99% of cases, with high satisfaction of our patients. We have aspheric intraocular lenses, toric (to also correct astigmatism) and multifocal (for distance and near sightseen) technology. As well as immersion of biometry systems for accurate calculation of lens power and specular microscopy that optimize ranges of safety and surgery results.
- What is keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a progressive and disabling disease, which can lead to severe vision loss. This degeneration affects the cornea, this is the clear and round area of the eye that we have in front of the iris (colored part of the eye), which functions as the main lens of the eye, and is necessary for the proper focus of the images. As mentioned the cornea is round, in this disease the sphericity is lost and becomes conical (cone shaped), which gives the name to the disease. This deformation generates high myopia and irregular astigmatism that causes the poor vision experienced by people affected.
- Is there treatment for keratoconus?
Until recently, the only known treatment for keratoconus were hard contact lenses and if the case was severe, then a corneal transplant. However new developments enable us to provide effective and less aggressive options to improve the visual ability of these patients.
The corneal crosslinking treatment is performed with ultraviolet light and special vitamins that helps to increase cornea resistance to deformation and delays or prevents the entire progression of the disease, in some cases even improves the quality of the vision.
INTACS corneal segments, unique in the country and approved by U.S. FDA are plastic fragments specially designed to be placed deep into the cornea. Its effect is to smooth the surface decreasing the magnitude of the cone and improving quality vision. Its efficiency has been extensively tested in clinical trials worldwide and the experience in our country has been very successful for our patients and for surgeons that place them.
- What is myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism?
They are the focus of the eye defects that may be caused by changes in the normal size of the eye or by alterations in the form of the natural lens of the eye, such as the cornea or crystalline lens. These defects can occur alone or in combination and cause poor vision, which must be corrected with contact lenses or eyeglasses so the person who suffers has an adequate quality of life.
- If I have any of these focus defects in my eyes, can it be corrected with surgery?
In most cases it is possible to offer a surgical option to patients who carry nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness or astigmatism. The type of surgery depends on the extent of the defect and the characteristics of the eye of the person. To define what the best option is, several studies are needed, including a complete eye examination, refraction (defect measurement) and corneal topography (to check the thickness and shape of the cornea). Based on these data the ophthalmologist proposes the option that best fits the characteristics of the patient and that will give the best results.
- What is glaucoma?
This is a disease of the nerve of the eye that, among other factors, is produced by high pressure inside the eye. It affects roughly 1% of the population and usually occurs after 40 or 50 years old. There are youth and children’s forms, though they are less frequent.
Requires treatment since the time of diagnosis given that it has potential to cause permanent blindness and there is currently no known cure.
- Which is the treatment for glaucoma?
The medical treatment for glaucoma consists in drops used persistent and continuously over time. These manage to lower the eye pressure to levels that allow the disease does not to progress further. Unfortunately existing damage at the time of initiation of treatment is not reversible.
In cases that do not respond well to the drops, you may perform surgeries that change the dynamics of the fluids inside the eye and result in decreased pressure. Some times implant of devices that improve the filtration of intraocular fluid (valves) to achieve effective results are required.
- Is a regular control of my eyes necessary despite not feeling any symptoms?
It is advisable an ophthalmological exam per year despite being undisturbed. Some diseases like glaucoma have no symptoms until they are advanced and visual loss is final. If there are people with very poor vision or blindness in the family controls should be even more frequent.
- I have about 40 years and I can hardly read and see details at close range, what happens?
About 40 years old a condition called presbyopia occurs. Is a progressive difficulty of seeing up close, which is caused by the hardening of the crystalline lens and loss of its ability to change shape to focus on close range. It is a normal physiological condition associated with aging of the eye, it is not a disease itself.
- Is there any effective solution for presbyopia?
We currently have presbyopia treatments that deal with different approaches. The simplest are bifocals or progressive glasses that provides the extra boost necessary to see up closer. There are contact lenses that also work as bifocals to correct this problem.
Surgery gives us options, while they are not perfect, they are very effective in correcting this problem. Laser and multifocal intraocular lenses are the most currently used treatments available. After a complete evaluation we will be able to offer the option that best suits your needs.
- I am diabetic, how often should I have a back (fundus) of the eye control?
Diabetes and hypertension are chronic diseases that cause damage at the level of the vasculature (veins and arteries) in the retina of the eye and can lead to vision loss. The loss can be prevented by treatment in cases where it is detected early. It is recommended that these patients have a complete eye control every year with your ophthalmologist.