Eye problems can affect the quality of life in several ways. Cataracts are the most common eye-related issues people face worldwide. Cataract surgeries are one of the most common surgeries performed to improve the quality of life and restore eyesight. In 2017, the estimated number of cataract removal surgeries performed in India was more than 6.5 million, and from 2022 to 2023, 8.34 million cataract surgeries were performed in India. Over the years, awareness of eye surgeries in India has risen. Let’s see what cataract surgery and minor incision cataract surgery are for removing cataracts.
Cataracts and Surgery
Cataracts occur when the eyes’ lens becomes cloudy, creating blurred vision, double vision, or sensitivity to light. They can also lead to seeing faded colours, halos around light, and difficulty seeing at night. Many people have visual impairment and blindness induced by cataracts. Cataracts affect everyday life, such as driving, reading, and going out at night.
Cataracts can slowly develop as people age, during birth, or due to injuries or surgeries. In most cases, it can be prevented by reducing exposure to sunlight, stopping smoking, and including vitamins good for eye health, like lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, in your food palette. Fortunately, cataracts can be removed with simple surgeries. One such surgery is the minor incision cataract surgery (SICS). Always consult an ophthalmologist if you are unsure whether cataract surgery is necessary. Calwin Hospitals has knowledgeable eye specialists in Nagercoil who offer flawless treatment for eye-related problems.
What is Small Incision Cataract Surgery?
Small-incision cataract surgery, also called MSICS (Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery), has revolutionized cataract surgery. It evolved from extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), which requires a 10 to 12-mm incision and a suture after the lens’s insertion and leaves most of the capsules untouched. In MSICS, a small sutureless incision is created, and the eyes’ lens is removed carefully.
The surgery is performed through a sclerocorneal tunnel with a smaller incision. Thus, there is no need for numerous sutures, and it reduces the chance of surgery-induced astigmatism. This procedure became prevalent in the 1980s as an alternative to the ECCE procedure. It doesn’t require costly equipment requiring a continuous power supply, making it a cost-effective surgery. Before going for surgery, check the small-incision cataract surgery cost in Nagercoil to eliminate last-minute hardships.
Advantages of Small Incision Cataract Surgery
SICS offers numerous advantages over other type of cataract surgeries. Because of its low cost and other advantages, it is mainly used by people with lower incomes in developing countries like India. When performed by an experienced ophthalmologist, this surgery takes 7 to 10 minutes. Some of the benefits are listed below:
- It is a high-quality surgery that removes cataracts.
- This procedure is cost-effective and straightforward and does not need much technology.
- No sutures are required; hence, there is no possibility of getting suture-related issues.
- MSICS provides patients with greater comfort.
- It doesn’t require frequent postoperative visits like other surgeries.
- It rules out the demand for suturing the incision with a self-sealing sutureless incision.
- Chances of astigmatism are lower than from extracapsular cataract extraction.
- The operative time in this procedure is shorter.
- It has seen rarer complications, even in complicated cases.
- The recovery time is shorter than that of other cataract surgeries.
Complications
- Water release from the eyes can last even a week after the procedure.
- Because of the minute scleral incision, some can sense a gentle tenderness in the eye.
- Bleeding in the eyes can occur after the surgery. It is known as postoperative hyphema.
- Possibility of muscle injury.
The procedure’s outcome highly relies on the surgeon’s skill and experience. Choose the best eye hospital in Nagercoil for successful small-incision cataract surgery.
Who needs Small Incision Cataract Surgery?
Anyone with a complicated cataract can undergo SICS. Usually, a person with a cataract that has not been treated for several years is recommended for this surgery. If you are planning to do a minor incision surgery for yourself or dear ones, choose hospitals with facilities and specialists to perform such intricate surgery. Calwin Hospitals, one of the leading eye hospitals in Nagercoil, has ophthalmologists with good experience and knowledge to accomplish complex surgeries and get you back to your everyday lifestyle.
Small Incision Cataract Surgery Procedure
MSICS is usually performed under topical anaesthesia. Before starting the procedure, the doctor thoroughly checks the eyes. Then, 3 to 7 days before the surgery, the patient is given an antibiotic eye drop to prepare the eye for the surgery. On the day of surgery, the patient is given anaesthesia like peribulbar, retrobulbar, and subtenants to equip the eye for surgery.
During the procedure, the eyelids are held with proper tools, and the doctor will make sure your eyes and eyeballs are in place. During the procedure, povidone-iodine (Betadine) 5% aqueous eye drops will be injected into the eyes. The eye area will be cleaned and dried, and then a tiny, self-sealing sclerocorneal tunnel is created to eject the eye lens later, subjected to cataract formation. The procedure can be performed using a temporal or superior incision. The temporal site is more accessible than the exceptional site. Two incisions are typically made in SICSs: external scleral and internal corneal incisions. Usually, an incision of 5.5 mm to 7.0 mm is made, depending on your age and cataract size. Different techniques are used to deliver the lens out of the eye based on the tunnel structure and length. A fish hook is used to take out the nucleus from the eye. The cataract is carefully taken out of the eye. The Intraocular lens is placed inside the eyes using holding forceps, conjunctival forceps, and a Sinskey hook. Through the incision made on the anterior side, the IOL is inserted into the capsular bag, which previously held the cataract. It will placed behind the iris, where the natural eye lens will be seen. The lens is then adjusted to fit inside the eye properly. The surgeon will make sure everything is in place and alright. Ultimately, the capsular bag holding the lens is washed thoroughly with viscoelastic to stop secondary glaucoma.
The recovery from small-incision cataract surgery takes less time than that from other cataract surgeries. An eye patch will be put on the eye for the first day. Patients can move and do things they want, but they are advised not to do anything heavy or strenuous for a month. Doctors may ask patients to wear an eye shield for several days at night.
Conclusion
Small incision cataract surgery is a boon to so many people because it is cost-effective, does not require extensive equipment, has a speedy recovery, and has lower chances of complications. When performed by an experienced ophthalmologist, this procedure gives complete recovery and good results. Check out Calwin Hospitals, the best multi-specialist hospital in Nagercoil, which offers the highest standard eye care treatment and surgeries to improve the functioning of the eyes. Apart from eye surgeries and treatments, we have the latest diagnostic and medical equipment and advanced medical practices in the departments of cardiology and pulmonology. We conduct free eye camps frequently so people can benefit from our service.