Phacoemulsification
What is Phacoemulsification?
Phacoemulsification
has gained in popularity in recent years, and is now the preferred form
of cataract removal. Although this procedure has been available to us
for a long time, recent advances and refinements in machine and
microsurgical instruments have made it safer and more effective than
previously.
The technique of phacoemulsification utilizes a small incision. The tip
of the instrument is introduced into the eye through this small
incision. Localized high frequency waves are generated through this tip
to break the cataract into very minute fragments and pieces, which are
then sucked out through the same tip in a controlled manner. A thin
'capsule' or shell is left behind after cleaning up of the entire opaque
cataract.
The incision size for phacoemulsification is approximately 3.0
millimeters in width. If a lens implant that can be folded is used
following removal of the cataract, this incision may not have to be
enlarged. If a lens is used which cannot be folded, the incision must be
enlarged to 5.0 or 5.5 mm.
Are the stitches required after
Phacoemulsification?
The incision (wound) required for phacoemulsification is small (3 mm)
and the wound construction is such that it is self-sealing. Therefore a
surgery in which a foldable lens has been implanted through the small 3
mm wound, generally does not require any stitch, as it is watertight.
The surgeries in which the wound has been enlarged (5 or 5.5 mm) to put
a lens that can not be folded, is likely to require one stitch, because
the wound is larger.
In addition, some surgeons simply prefer the safety of having the
incision sutured, even if the incision is already watertight. The best
procedure for a patient is usually the one with which his or her
ophthalmologist feels the most comfortable, since these variations of
cataract surgery are all quite effective.
What are the advantages of
Phacoemulsification over routine extracapsular surgery?
In a conventional surgery the incision required is larger (10-12 mm)
and requires stitches for closing. This larger incision takes 6-8 weeks
to heal. Moreover, the stitches can cause distortion of the normal
curvature of the cornea (the clear part of eye) and thus lead to
astigmatism
and blurred vision because of this.
