Countering Cataracts – Advanced Lens Replacement
The amazing sense of sight is widely accepted to be of vital importance to our health and quality of life, but a silent condition often left untreated for considerable time continues to impact the vision of many older British residents.
In the UK alone, 1 in 3 over 65’s suffer from cataracts, a build-up of proteins inside the eyes natural lens that can result in cloudy vision. So what can be done to ensure symptoms are quickly identified and treated?
Leading Ophthalmic Surgeons believe the misconceptions surrounding cataracts, their treatment and the fears associated with degenerative eye disease often result in patients not seeking a consultation sooner. Dr Shafiq Rehman, Medical Director at Bettersight Advanced Eye & Vision Consultancy says “cataracts can be treated with a ten minute operation regardless of the stage they are diagnosed, but the level of sight lost through delaying diagnosis is always detrimental to the patient’s quality of life – so why wait?”
Dr. Rehman continues, “Four common misconceptions that I come across are the following:
- • Cataracts are formed by a film growing across the eye – NOT TRUE! In fact it is clouding inside the natural lens. Removal of cataract is followed by replacement with a synthetic lens implant normally at the same time.
- • Cataracts have to be ripe before treatment can be carried out. Again NOT TRUE! In fact we often carry out cataract surgery at an earlier stage these days because the surgery is so safe and effective.
- • The eye has to be ‘popped out onto the cheek’ to have cataract surgery – NOT TRUE! – The eye firmly remains in its place for treatment that is often remarkably pain free.
- • Cataract surgery on the NHS is exactly the same as cataract surgery in the independent sector. NOT TRUE! State of the art LASER systems such as LENSAR are now available that promise even higher levels of safety, accuracy and precision than ever before”.
Although research is in progress to develop medication to stem the tide of cataract development, the current solution is currently confined to surgery, involving the replacement of the cloudy lens with a polymer substitute. However, recent innovations that mirror the renowned Clarivu procedure have resulted in treatments very similar to Refractive Lens Replacement with lens implants that improve vision through the use of multifocal and trifocal lens implants. Such highly advanced lens implants can help to minimise the need for glasses after surgery even for reading and other close work as well as general viewing. This customised approach with cataract surgery provides similar benefits to laser eye surgery but with the added benefit that it can last permanently.
For a Cataract consultation or a free Clarivu consultation contact Bettersight Advanced Eye & Vision Consultancy today on 0800 5593 700 or email [email protected].
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