Say bye to cataract surgery complications!

CHENNAI: A common case of nucleus drop during cataract surgeries is now being prevented using a simple procedural change at Dr Agarwal’s Group of Hospitals. Called using a ‘scaffold’, this new procedure involves placing the Intraocular Lens (IOL) between the iris and the nucleus, in order to use it as a scaffold. This will prevent the nucleus from falling into the vitreous. Up to five percent of the cases handled at Dr Agarwals’ Hospital in Cathedral Road see such eye complications, which can lead to retina detachment, high pressure and inflammation within the eye.The patient who was the first recipient of this revolutionary surgery, Saraswathi from Korattur, has had normal vision post her cataract surgery, thanks to the procedure. “This surgical procedure is ideal for cataract eye surgeries of children born of consanguineous marriages (marriage within family) as they’re found to be more vulnerable to the problem, those who have undergone trauma like being injured by crackers or bomb explosions, and those with untreated cataract for a long time,” noted Professor Amar Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of Dr Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals.Normally the IOL is inserted only after removing the nucleus fragments during a cataract removal surgery. But Dr Agarwal devised this procedure in which the IOL is inserted earlier so that it blocks the falling of the nuclear fragments into the eye.  There are several other advantages as well, he added, “By this method, no sutures will be required as the incision is only 2.5 mm for the implant of the lens. It is not necessary to extend the corneal incision with this technique. The patient can also return to normal life sooner,” he said. The new procedure will not cost more than the usual cataract surgeries, and 14 patients have undergone surgeries using this procedure in the last six months, he said.