Cataract Surgery & Phacoemulsification PHACO-EMULSIFICATION for No-Injection – No-Stitch – No-Bandage Cataract Surgery is another field where Bharti Eye Foundation is a leading center in the country. Dr. S.Bharti is the first surgeon in Delhi to begin eye drop anaesthesia for Phaco- Cataract surgery in 1997 .

Bharti Eye Foundation was the first to acquire the Soveriegn Phaco Machine and Zeiss IOL master in the Asia Pacific for excellence in this field.Alcon Legacy and Nidek CV7000 are other phaco-emulsification systems available at Bharti Eye Foundation now to complete the full range of latest technology. Bharti Eye Foundation is also running a Phaco Training Academy under the able guidance of Dr.S.Bharti since 1998 initiated with the help of Allergan India Ltd. and has the distinction of training many eye surgeons in this field.

WHAT IS CATARACT
Cataract (Hindi: Safed Motia or Motiabind) is age related clouding and increasing opacification of the natural lens of the eye causing blurring of vision. It occurs with the age and starts after 5th decade of life.The symptoms of cataract can vary according to the area of the lens involved and the blurring is early and more pronounced when central part is opacified as compared to the peripheral part of the lens. The other other symptoms may be blurring of vision in sun and in bright light(Glare) , Coloured rings around the lights (Haloes), Multiple blurred images of an object (Polyopia), Blurring of vision in dim light, Difficulty in reading and driving, Repeated quick change in glasses power, eye strain and headache etc.
This clouding of lens can occur due to injury (Traumatic cataract) , Diabetes mellitus and various other diseases and thus can occur earlier also. In new born and infants it occurs due to genetic reasons or poor maternal health and diseases during pregnancy and then is called Congenital Cataract.

TRATMENT OF CATARACT
Treatment of cataract is surgical removal of the cataractous lens. There is no drug or diet available for reducing cataract. The progress of cataract is different in different people and though in some it progresses rapidly and causes vision disturbances , in other people it may take many years to progress.

METHODS OF CATARACT SURGERY
Old Method:
The old system of cataract surgery involved injection around the eye, making the surrounding area and the eye numb, making a large incision (cut) of 12 to 13 mm and taking out the cataract through this incision in one piece (Intracapsular) or just the central nucleus leaving behind the outer covering (the capsule) in which a intraocular lens could be fixed. The large incision was then closed with stitches. The eye was then bandaged for a period of one day or more. The visual recovery in these cases took upto 6 weeks and sometimes removal of stitches was required for complete recovery of vision.

Latest Method:
PhacoEmulsification OR PHACO

Phacoemulsification ( Phaco = lens, emulsification) or phaco as it is popularly called is a technique where the lens is broken into small pieces , emulsified and then aspirated.
The ultrasound energy is used to emulsify the cataract. A handpiece with quartz crystals is used to produce the ultrasonic energy which moves the tip of 0.9 to 1.4 mm size back and forth to hit and emulsify the cataract.
The whole procedure is performed through an incision size of 3.2 mm in the form of a self sealing tunnel which does not require any stitches for its closure. The "phaco probe" has both irrigation and aspiration through the 3.2 mm and a continuous flow of a balanced fluid goes into the eye and is aspirated out along with emulsified pieces of cataract.
The lens has a nucleus in the center, surrounded by epinucleus and then cortex with "capsule" around it and a continuous round hole of approximately 5-6mm (the CCC or Continuous curvilinear CAPSULORRHEXIS) is made so that the phaco tip can directly come into contact with the nucleus to emulsify it.

EYE-DROP ANAESTHESIA FOR PHACO
Anaesthetic eye drops are used prior to the procedure to numb the eye. Sometimes a diluted 1% lidocaine is irrigated into the anterior part of the eye to numb the sensitive iris in case the phaco tip touches it.
Since phaco is a short time painless procedure and there is very little handling of the eye, this no-injection eye drop anaesthesia is enough for a total comfort of the patient. One should also remember that eye drop anaesthesia is safer than injection which can cause complications like drug reaction and peforation of the eye.

THE NO-STITCH PHACO
Phacoemulsification is done with a thin probe which can enter the eye through a 3.2 mm incision. This incision is made in such a manner that a small tunnel is formed with a length of approximately 2.5 mm. The configuration of the tunnel is such that it closes when the eye pressure is increased and so does not need any stitch to keep it closed.

BEST TIME FOR PHACO CATARACT SURGERY
Today the life style of every person is such that eyes are used extensively for reading/writing/driving during day and night/ watching television etc. and cataract surgery has become very patient friendly. The recovery is quick and discomfort is minimal. Also as the cataract "matures" , it becomes harder and difficult to emulsify with phacoemulsification.
It is therefore, advisable to get the phco-cataract surgery done as early as possible. Definitely when the person is able to read the top letter indicating cataract is sufficiently ready for operation.

PRECAUTIONS BEFORE & AFTER PHACO CATARACT SURGERY
It is advisable to maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness. No cosmetics should be used on the eye or face. There are no dietary restrictions required before or after cataract operation. Dietary restrictions for other systemic diseases should be observed.
Splashing water in the eye to wash it is not to be done. Face can be washed and head bath can be taken with the eyes closed.

PHACO CATARACT SURGERY IN DIABETICS
Control of blood sugar is essential. A post prandial blood sugar level of up to 180 mg % should be maintained before and after cataract operation.

PHACO CATARACT SURGERY IN HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Blood pressure control should be maintained with appropriate medications before/ during and after surgery.

PHACO CATARACT SURGERY IN OTHER DISEASES
Other diseases like Bronchial Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dependance on steroids should be discussed and appropriate measures should be taken.

THE COLD PHACO
New phacoemulsification probe produce less heat during ultrasonic vibration thus prteventing heat induced damage to the incision and cornea. This can even be used without infusion sleeve through a smaller incision of 1 – 1.4 mm.

MICRO-INCISION CATARACT SURGERY (MICS)
Phacoemulsification through a smaller incision of around 1 mm with a sleeveless phaco tip and irrigation through a separate side port provides an advantage of speedy recovery, faster healing and lesser surgery induced astigmatism. The surgery involves insertion of a rollable lens of 5.5mm dia which can be inserted through 1.2 mm incision (The microincision).

SPECIAL LENSES
1. MULTI-FOCAL IOL
2. ACCOMODATIVE IOL
3. ROLLABLE IOL
4. BLUE BLOCKING IOL
5. LIGHT ADJUSTABLE IOL