About Extracapsular Cataract Extraction
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What is Extracapsular Cataract Extraction?
Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) is a type of eye cataract surgery. During ECCE the eye¡¯s lens is removed and the elastic capsule covering the lens is left partially in place to implant an intraocular lens (IOL).
What are the common types of Extracapsular Cataract Extraction?
- Manual Expression
An incision is made in the cornea or the sclera through which the lens is removed.
- Phacoemulsification
Ultrasound energy is used to break the lens into fragments inside the capsule and it is removed by aspiration.
How is Extracapsular Cataract Extraction Performed?
- An incision is made in between the cornea and the sclera.
- The lens capsule is opened and the nucleus of the lens is removed.
- The soft lens cortex is emptied using suction and the back of the capsule is left intact.
- An intraocular lens is used to replace the original lens, which enables light focus on the retina. The intraocular lens substitute the patient¡¯s original eye lens, and therefore they are not corrective lenses.
- The incision is closed with sutures after the surgery.
A special test known as Keratometry needs to be performed if an intraocular lens is required. It is a painless test used to determine the strength of the intraocular lens that is required.
- The patient¡¯s eyeball length is measured with ultrasound.
- A keratometer is used to measure the curvature of the cornea.
- The measurements are then put into the computer to calculate the exact power of the intraocular lens.
Days admitted : The procedure is commonly done as an outpatient procedure.
Anesthesia : - Local anesthesia
- General anesthesia may be used if the surgery is required for children and adults with specific medical or psychiatric conditions.
Recovery : - The sutures are removed in 6 weeks after the surgery.
- Before the patient is discharged, some medications may be placed in the patient¡¯s operated eye.
- Complete recovery of the operated eye may take up to 3 months or sooner.
Risks : - Edema, i.e. swelling of the cornea
- Rise in intraocular pressure (IOP)
- Uveitis, i.e. inflammation of the uvea, which is a tissue layer containing the iris.
- Infection
- Hyphema, which is bleeding inside the interior chamber of the eye
- Incision rupture and leakage
- Tear in the retina
- IOL mal-positioning
- Cystoid macular edema (CME)
After care : - The patient should avoid bending and lifting heavy objects.
- Normal activities can be carried out after a day or two.
- The patient may need to wear regular eye glasses during the day and an eye shield over the operated eye at night.
- Wearing sunglasses are recommended during bright days and to protect the operated eye against rubbing and bumping.
- The patient needs to use eye drops as directed by the doctor for one to two weeks after the surgery to prevent infection, and to lessen pain and swelling.
- The patient needs to check the regular eyeglasses to find out if the lens prescription needs to be changed.
- Regular follow-up check ups are scheduled for several weeks.
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