Cataracts
Cataracts
Subject: Solutions to the problem of Cataracts.
Cataracts is a condition that affects the eye due to an opacity of the internal focusing lens that can cause visual impairment due to light not being able to reach the retina. It is due to irreversible structural changes to the order of the fibres that the lens is made from due to coagulation and denaturing of the lens fibres. [9] It affects image clarity and causes a decline in image detail. However it almost never causes complete blindness. It can be caused by various different factors, the most prevalent being age. (90% of people over 75 have cataracts [8] and all over those over 80 are affected by it [9]). It is rare for young children to develop cataracts but in such cases it is usually down to hereditary factors, metabolic disorders and infections to the foetus during pregnancy. It is not life threatening for adults however for children it is much more dangerous as eyesight could not recover because it hinders the brains ability to interpret visual signs. [10]. However diabetes, high myopia, use of cortic steroids, renal failure, eye trauma, eye trauma, smoking, high alcohol intake, diet and exposure to UV rays all increases the chance of cataracts.
Phacoemulsification
The most popular and modern method used to treat the problem is Phacoemulsification. Its popularity stems from the fact that it takes no longer than 20 minutes, requires no sutures and only needs small incisions, meaning that recovery time is brief. It undergoes five steps; a Corneal incision, capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, irrigation and aspiration.
The surgery would begin with the patient receiving an oxygen tube to breathe through as it would be difficult to do so through all of the precautionary draping. Blood pressure and heart rate would also be measured. The area behind the eyeball would be anaesthetized prior to any incisions made. Pressure is put on the eyeball to check if there is any and stop bleeding that
Subject: Solutions to the problem of Cataracts.
Cataracts is a condition that affects the eye due to an opacity of the internal focusing lens that can cause visual impairment due to light not being able to reach the retina. It is due to irreversible structural changes to the order of the fibres that the lens is made from due to coagulation and denaturing of the lens fibres. [9] It affects image clarity and causes a decline in image detail. However it almost never causes complete blindness. It can be caused by various different factors, the most prevalent being age. (90% of people over 75 have cataracts [8] and all over those over 80 are affected by it [9]). It is rare for young children to develop cataracts but in such cases it is usually down to hereditary factors, metabolic disorders and infections to the foetus during pregnancy. It is not life threatening for adults however for children it is much more dangerous as eyesight could not recover because it hinders the brains ability to interpret visual signs. [10]. However diabetes, high myopia, use of cortic steroids, renal failure, eye trauma, eye trauma, smoking, high alcohol intake, diet and exposure to UV rays all increases the chance of cataracts.
Phacoemulsification
The most popular and modern method used to treat the problem is Phacoemulsification. Its popularity stems from the fact that it takes no longer than 20 minutes, requires no sutures and only needs small incisions, meaning that recovery time is brief. It undergoes five steps; a Corneal incision, capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, irrigation and aspiration.
The surgery would begin with the patient receiving an oxygen tube to breathe through as it would be difficult to do so through all of the precautionary draping. Blood pressure and heart rate would also be measured. The area behind the eyeball would be anaesthetized prior to any incisions made. Pressure is put on the eyeball to check if there is any and stop bleeding that
Bibliography: [8]Gordon Macpherson, GM. (1999) blacks medical dictionary 39th edition. Madison Books. [9] Dr Robert Youngson, RY. (2000) The Royal Society of Medicine Health Encyclopedia. Bloomsbury Publishing Ltd. [10] Dr Havey Marcovitch, HM (2011) Blacks student Medical Dictionary. A & C Black Publishers Lt. [13]Surgery Encyclopedia (publish date: unknown) http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/Extracapsular-Cataract-Extraction.html Last viewed (27/02/13) [14]Dartry, D (2002) Cataract surgery