Cataract surgery in people with nystagmus

What is nystagmus?

Many people suffer from nystagmus, or what is called nystagmus. Nystagmus is a condition in which there is an involuntary movement of the eye, the eyes move involuntarily and without control continuously. In most cases, the eyes move horizontally, from right to left in a oscillatory or oscillatory manner, but in other cases the eyes move vertically or circularly. Nystagmus is usually accompanied by poor vision and its quality, as most people with nystagmus wear glasses. These people also have sensitivity to light, feel that the world is shaking, suffer from dizziness and other vision problems. Nystagmus is often a congenital condition, and can occur as a result of various eye diseases. In addition to the poor vision that people with nystagmus suffer from, there are two other important things that bother people with nystagmus. First, most of these people cannot Obtaining a driver's license due to their poor eyesight, which means that they are not independent in their mobility. The second issue is the damage to the self-image of some of them due to nystagmus. Here, in fact, our intervention as doctors to treat nystagmus is very important and necessary to help these people obtain a driver's license and live a normal lifestyle without restrictions and in complete independence. In addition, our intervention also helps to improve self-image and increase self-confidence.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is actually a clouding or opacity of the lens of the eye, which is normally transparent. Cataracts occur in the lens of the eye as a result of chemical and structural changes within the lens of the eye. These changes usually occur with age but also due to diabetes, medications, genetic diseases, eye trauma, radiation, smoking and other causes. Cataracts can cause blurred vision and even blindness. Also blurred vision, sensitivity to light, glare, halos, decreased night vision, changes in color vision, and the need for more light to read.

Does cataract worsen visual symptoms in people with nystagmus?

Absolutely yes. In people with nystagmus in particular, cataracts can cause a deterioration in visual acuity and quality of vision. In addition, cataracts can worsen the severity of glare and light vibration.

Can cataract surgery be performed on people with nystagmus (nystagmus) and with what type of anesthesia?

 Absolutely yes. The mere fact of having nystagmus (nystagmus) does not prevent cataract removal and surgery. On the contrary, the presence of cataracts in people with nystagmus is a significant factor in the deterioration of vision in any case, and it is necessary to remove them. The eye vibration can be controlled during surgery and the surgery can be performed safely and with great success. Some doctors prefer to perform the surgery under general anesthesia or by injecting a paralyzing substance behind the eyeball, but in the vast majority of cases this is not necessary.

Dr. Nasser performs the operation under local anesthesia using eye drops only, without injections and without any anesthesia at all, in addition to using the latest methods to remove cataracts, and the operation is characterized by being very safe and with high success rates.

What tests should a person with nystagmus undergo in order to undergo laser eyeglass removal surgery?

It is recommended to have a complete eye examination including a complete vision examination, corneal imaging examination, retinal examination, and an intensive eye examination by the nystagmus specialist in our clinic - Dr. Orwa Nasser. Depending on the condition of the cornea, the degree of numbers, the degree of angles (cylinders), the thickness of the cornea, personal and family history, work, habits, hobbies, expectations and vision capabilities, Dr. Nasser will help you choose the appropriate and safe surgical operation for you.

Is the cause of nystagmus important in the case of cataract surgery?

No, the cause is not important. The operation can be performed regardless of the cause of the eye shaking.

What types of cataract surgeries are recommended for people with nystagmus?

As mentioned, cataract treatment is usually surgical. During surgery, the cataract is removed along with the natural lens and an artificial lens is implanted inside the eye instead of the natural lens. There are several types of lenses that can be implanted. For people with stenosis in particular, the type of lens and surgery will be selected individually and based on the eye examination data, measurements, vision possibilities and lifestyle.

  1. Monofocal lenses: This type of lens provides a single focal point (monofocal). This lens gets a single focal point for distance or for near (for reading) but not both together. The decision on which focal point to focus on in the implanted lens is up to the patient himself. If you choose a lens with a far focus, you will see well at distance without glasses but will need reading glasses. The opposite is true, if you choose a lens with a near focus, you will see well at near but will need glasses for distance vision.
  2. Multifocal lenses: These lenses provide two or more focal points, for distance, near and interstitial distance. These lenses are the best solution for patients who want to get rid of glasses for distance and near after the operation.
  3. Toric lenses: These lenses correct astigmatism (angles) and help patients see better after cataract surgery. These lenses can be combined with monofocal or multifocal lenses.     

How is cataract surgery performed by Dr. Orwa Nasser?

The cataract surgery performed by Dr. Nasser is needle-free, scar-free and under local anesthesia only. The operation is performed Painless and with a quick recovery. The procedure is performed in a private hospital under local anesthesia with eye drops only. Sometimes painkillers are given before the surgery to make you feel comfortable before the procedure. You will be awake throughout the procedure and will hear Dr. Orwa talking to you and his assistants. Dr. Orwa will continue to talk to you during the surgery to reassure you. During the procedure, the cataract is removed from the eye and an artificial lens is implanted. There are no beads or needles during the procedure. At the end of the procedure, a transparent shield is placed over the eye to protect the eye but without covering it. You return home immediately after the procedure with clear instructions and an appointment for a check-up at the clinic the next day. Recovery from the procedure is quick and you will regain your vision quickly after the procedure."

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