cataract treatment

Frequently asked questions about cataract

• What is cataract and why does it develop?

  A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens, leading to a gradual reduction in visual acuity. Most commonly, cataract is associated with age-related changes, metabolic disturbances, chronic conditions (such as diabetes and hypertension), eye injuries, or complications following other interventions. Traumatic cataract may develop when the lens is damaged after a blunt impact or a penetrating injury. Without treatment, vision can continue to worsen up to a significant loss of functional vision.

• What symptoms may indicate cataract progression?

  Early signs include blurred or “foggy” vision, as if looking through frosted glass or a haze. You may notice difficulty reading, a need to change spectacles more often, reduced vision in low light or in bright light, halos and glare from car headlights and street lights. Some patients report reduced contrast sensitivity and colour distortion. If such symptoms occur, it is important to undergo a diagnostic assessment and discuss cataract treatment with an ophthalmologist.

• Can cataract be treated without surgery — with drops or tablets?

  Unfortunately, cataract cannot be cured without surgery. Drops, vitamins or other medications cannot restore transparency to a lens that has already become cloudy. They may only temporarily slow progression, but they do not address the underlying cause of vision deterioration. The effective treatment is surgical removal of the lens with implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). Only surgery can restore vision and improve day-to-day comfort.

• When should cataract surgery be performed?

  The indication is determined by an ophthalmologist after a comprehensive examination. Surgery is typically recommended when cataract begins to interfere noticeably with work, driving, reading or daily activities, or when there is an increased risk of complications. There is no need to wait until the cataract fully “matures”: modern technology allows surgery at earlier stages, when the lens is less dense and recovery is often faster and more comfortable.

• How is the “AquaStream iQ-5 minutes” procedure performed?

  Cataract surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis through a micro-incision, without sutures, and commonly takes only a few minutes. Under the “AquaStream iQ-5 minutes” protocol, a balanced solution is used to assist gentle fragmentation of the clouded lens. The fragments are then removed, and a clear intraocular lens is implanted. Anaesthesia is topical (drops), so the procedure is generally painless, and the patient returns home the same day.

• How long is recovery after cataract treatment and what restrictions apply?

  Many patients notice an improvement in vision on the same day or the following day. Full visual stabilisation may take from several days to several weeks, depending on individual factors. During the postoperative period, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions: avoid rubbing the eye, avoid heavy lifting, protect the eye from dust and contamination, and use prescribed drops correctly. Compliance helps reduce risks and achieve the best possible outcome.

• Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?

  The outcome depends on the type of implanted intraocular lens. A monofocal lens provides good vision at one distance (typically distance vision), so reading glasses may be needed. If desired, a multifocal or trifocal lens can be selected to provide vision at different distances and reduce dependence on glasses. Lens selection is individual and is discussed during diagnostics and a consultation with the surgeon.

• Do you treat cataracts in children and complex cases?

  Yes, our center treats cataracts in children, including traumatic cataracts, and performs correction of unsuccessful previous cataract surgeries performed elsewhere. We handle complex cases involving scar tissue, accompanying retinal pathologies, glaucoma, or situations where earlier treatment did not produce the expected results. Each clinical case is evaluated individually, with detailed diagnostics and surgical planning. Our goal is to restore vision and improve the patient’s quality of life, regardless of the complexity of the condition.