Cataract Surgery (Micro-Incision Phacoemulsification)

Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms & Modern Treatment

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil. In a healthy eye, the lens is transparent and focuses light sharply onto the retina. When a cataract forms, proteins within the lens clump together, scattering light and leading to progressive blurring, faded colours, glare, and difficulty seeing at night.

Common Symptoms of Cataracts

• Cloudy or Foggy Vision: Feeling as if you are constantly looking through a dirty or frosted window.
• Night Glare & Halos: Increased sensitivity to oncoming headlights and street lamps while driving.
• Faded Colour Perception: Colours look yellowish, dull, or washed out.
• Frequent Spectacle Power Changes: Noticeable shifts in your distance or reading prescription.
• Double Vision in One Eye: Multiple ghost images appearing when looking with one eye open.

Types of Cataracts Treated

Cataracts develop in different layers of the crystalline lens and require tailored surgical expertise:

• Nuclear Cataract: Forms deep in the central zone (nucleus) of the lens, commonly associated with ageing and causing progressive nearsightedness ("second sight") before deteriorating.
• Cortical Cataract: Appears as wedge-like white spokes starting from the lens periphery and extending into the centre.
• Posterior Subcapsular Cataract: Forms at the back of the lens capsule, often advancing rapidly and disproportionately affecting reading vision and bright sunlight tolerance. Common in diabetics and steroid users.

How is Cataract Diagnosed?

At Dr. Susanta Chatterjee's Ulwe Eye Clinic, every cataract evaluation includes:

• High-Resolution Slit-Lamp Biomicroscopy: Grading lens opacification and checking corneal endothelial health.
• Optical Biometry / IOL Power Calculation: Advanced micron-accurate measurements to determine the precise intraocular lens power for your eye.
• In-House OCT Retinal CT Scan: Screening the macula and optic nerve to rule out hidden diabetic changes or glaucoma that could limit post-operative visual recovery.
• Non-Contact Tonometry: Measuring intraocular pressure.

Modern Stitchless Phacoemulsification Procedure

Dr. Susanta Chatterjee has performed over 3,000+ successful micro-incision cataract surgeries. Modern surgery involves:

• Micro-Incision (1.8 to 2.2 mm): A tiny self-sealing tunnel incision that requires no stitches (sutureless) and heals naturally.
• Ultrasound Phacoemulsification: High-frequency sound waves gently liquefy and aspirate the cloudy lens material.
• Foldable Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation: A customized artificial lens is gently injected and unfolds inside your eye’s natural capsular bag.
• Daycare Recovery: Performed under topical drop anaesthesia in just 15 to 20 minutes, allowing you to walk home on the same day.

Premium Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options

Depending on your visual lifestyle and professional demands, Dr. Chatterjee offers:

• Monofocal IOLs: Deliver crisp, high-definition distance vision (reading glasses usually required for close work).
• Toric IOLs: Specifically correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism (cylindrical power) alongside cataract removal.
• Multifocal / Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs: Offer clear vision across multiple focal zones (distance, intermediate computer screen, and reading), reducing or eliminating spectacle dependence.