- 16 Apr, 2025
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Phaco Eye Surgery
Phaco Eye Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide to Modern Cataract Removal Techniques
Phaco eye surgery, also known as Phacoemulsification, is a modern solution
that is widely used by ophthalmologists for cataract removal.
Cataract itself is the clouding effect that causes blurriness to the eye lens,
which causes difficulty in seeing at night and glare.
The phaco eye surgery is minimally invasive surgery that relies on ultrasound
waves in order to break the cloudy lens into small fragments to be easier for removal.
Then, another lens, which is the IOL (intraocular lens), gets placed in front of the eye’s cornea.
This medical procedure does not need any type of stitching, as the incision closes up naturally.
It is also an outpatient surgery, which means that patients go home right after the surgery.
Mo Academy is your encyclopedia into every piece of Phaco information you might be after.
Therefore, since you landed here, you will get to understand all the details related
to the phaco procedure from A to Z.
Also, you will get a closer look at the post-operative care practices.
Lastly, Mo Academy will take you on a short journey of knowing more about the advancing
techniques of Phacoemulsification.
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Understanding the Phacoemulsification Procedure: Step-by-Step Guide
The Phaco Eye surgery includes ,utiple steps and parts that all guide
each other leading to the proper removal of the cataract from the eye.
In the following lines, you will get the whole Phaco procedure broken down for you.
Preoperative Preparation:
This phase sometimes starts a couple of days before the actual surgery.
As the patients are getting a full eye checkup in order to check for the size
of the eye as well as the needed type of lens to be used later.
Also, patients might get asked to stop certain medication intakes
so as not to cause further complications.
Additionally, some cases require fasting a couple of hours before the procedure takes place.
Then, when it comes to the anesthesia, Phaco eye surgery is usually performed
with numbing eye drops, and in some cases, an injection might be used.
This is meant to help with preventing irritation or discomfort to the patient.
Incision:
The Phaco eye surgery managed to get a grip of the cloudy lens through causing
an incision at the edge of the cornea that ranges between 2-3 mm.
It is usually done by a microkeratome or a blade.
This incision seals up and closes naturally later.
This step is followed with what is called Capsulorhexis, which is a circular
opening made in the anterior capsule of the eye.
Ultrasound Waves:
The high speed vibrations break up the Cataract or the clouding effect.
It utilizes an ultrasonic range that is above the human hearing with a ranging
frequency of 40–60 kHz.
Also, the modern Phaco machines are capable of utilizing different ultrasound
modes such as the pulse mode, continuous mode, and burst mode.
Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation:
phakic iol implantation is a mandatory step as at this point another lens is being
placed right in front of the cornea in order to replace the removed cloudy lens.
This IOL is foldable, and it is placed inside the eye through the already made small incision.
Once inside, the IOL unfolds itself and positions itself inside the capsule.
Get to know more about the phakic iol cost as well as the phakic iol training.
Postoperative Care and Expectations:
As simple as the Phaco eye surgery is, the postoperative care steps are.
Simply, patients will be asked to commit to proper follow ups with the ophthalmologist
in order to ensure that the eye is healing, and that the IOL is functioningas intended.
Also, they have to follow the medical course that mainly includes eye drops
and Antibiotics in order to avoid the infection.
Also, they might get prescribed Steroid or NSAID eye drops in order to avoid inflammation.
In some cases, you might be recommended an eye shield to avoid
any kind of debris or dust entering the eye.
Also, you might need to wear sunglasses to cover from any UV light.
P.S: There are certain activity restrictions:
- Rubbing the eye
- Carrying something heavy
- Letting soap or water enter the eye
- Swimming or entering hot tubs.
What Are the Modern Techniques in Phaco Eye Surgery?
femtosecond laser cataract surgery is an advanced form of Phacoemulsification,
in which the Cataract is removed by using a femtosecond laser.
Instead of doing everything manually with blades and handheld tools,
FLACS uses laser technology to enhance accuracy and safety.
Rather than doing everything in Phaco eye surgery manually or through
using blades, laser technology is utilized to increase efficiency, accuracy, and safety.
FLACS uses a laser that emits ultrashort light pulses that help create a precise incision.
Also, it is capable of dissecting tissues without causing any trauma to the eye.
Also, the laser creates a perfectly circular opening in the anterior lens capsule,
which facilitates the process of placing the IOL later.
What Is the Difference between phacoemulsification surgery and extracapsular cataract extraction?
Phacoemulsification:
Phaco eye surgery creates an incision with the size of 2-3 mm.
It uses ultrasound to break out the cataract into fragments, so that it can be easily removed.
Phacoemulsification also requires Phaco machines.
In Phaco’s case, no stitches are needed, and the posterior capsule is left intact.
Its recovery is of a fast nature ranging from 1 to 2 weeks. Also, its complication risk is very low.
Extracapsular Cataract Extraction:
Also known as ECCE,the extracapsular cataract extraction incision is larger as it ranges between 10 to12 mm. The Cataracting effect is removed in one piece manually. Here, no ultrasound is used. It only uses manual tools with no need for ultrasound. In this case, stitches are required as the incision’s size is relatively large. Hence, its recovery time ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. It has higher risks of inflammation or astigmatism.
Conclusion:
Phaco eye surgery is a key to clearer and better eyesight. It utilizes all the possible tools with the minimal invasion in order to extract the Cataract and place the IOL replacement lens. Within the previous lines, you will get to understand Phacoemulsification step by step from the pre-operative preparations to the expectations of the healing process. Additionally,you will get to know what activities are considered restrictions. Moreover, you will get to understand what advancements Phaco eye surgery has witnessed including the laser usage in the FLACS. Lastly, you will be aware of what differences are drawn between Phacoemulsification and the Extracapsular cataract surgery extraction.
For Ophthalmologists out there, Mo Academy wants to tell you more about
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