The "crystal" color continues to give cataract patients a bright "vision"

Author: Liu Huina, Yulin Second Hospital, Shaanxi Province

Reviewer: Hui Liang, Chief Physician, Yulin Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University

Cataract, a seemingly simple medical term, actually poses a huge potential threat to vision. Cataract is one of the common diseases in the field of ophthalmology. It is caused by the gradual turbidity of the originally transparent lens in the eye that has the function of adjusting the refraction of light, which prevents light from passing through normally, thus causing a series of visual problems such as blurred vision, weakened color perception, increased glare and decreased contrast sensitivity. With the increase of age, the incidence of cataracts increases significantly, becoming an important factor affecting the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people.

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1. The dawn of hope for cataract patients: cataract surgery

Facing the visual disturbances caused by cataracts, modern medicine provides an effective solution - cataract surgery. This surgery can greatly improve the patient's vision and re-light their "vision".

The core of cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens and implant an artificial lens to replace its function. Simply put, the lens is like the "lens" of the eye, and cataract surgery is to remove the old, blurry "lens" and replace it with a clear new "lens" for the eye. At present, cataract surgery is usually performed through phacoemulsification technology, which uses ultrasonic energy to break the lens into tiny particles, suck it out through a straw, and then implant a special artificial lens, which is phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Artificial lenses are made of polymer materials, have good biocompatibility and optical properties, and can accurately simulate the function of natural lenses, thereby restoring patients' vision. Phacoemulsification cataract surgery has the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, and fewer complications. Most patients can feel a significant improvement in vision within a short period of time after surgery, and their quality of life is significantly improved.

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2. Postoperative care: details determine the quality of recovery

Although the success rate of cataract surgery is very high, careful postoperative care is also crucial. Good care can not only promote wound healing, but also effectively prevent complications and ensure the long-term stability of the surgical effect.

So what should patients do?

1. Strictly follow the doctor's instructions

After surgery, patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions for self-care, including using eye drops on time to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing. Different types of eye drops have different effects. For example, antibiotic eye drops can be used to prevent infection, while hormone eye drops can help reduce postoperative inflammation. Patients need to keep in mind the time and dosage of medication, and never increase, decrease, or stop medication on their own.

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2. Eye protection

One month after surgery, patients should avoid rubbing and rubbing their eyes to avoid irritation or damage to the wound. At the same time, they should avoid direct sunlight to their eyes. For example, they can wear sunglasses or wide-brimmed hats when going out to reduce the damage of ultraviolet rays to their eyes. In addition, they should avoid using electronic products for a long time to reduce visual fatigue.

3. Diet adjustment

The postoperative diet should be light and easy to digest, and should include foods rich in vitamins, proteins and trace elements, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, etc. These foods help promote wound healing and vision recovery. At the same time, spicy, greasy and irritating foods should be avoided to avoid adverse effects on the eyes.

4. Adjust your lifestyle

One month after surgery, patients should try to avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects to avoid increasing intraocular pressure and affecting the effect of the surgery. At the same time, they should get enough sleep and avoid overwork. In addition, they should avoid being in an environment containing dust, smoke, and irritating chemicals for a long time to reduce irritation and damage to the eyes.

5. Regular follow-up visits

Regular follow-up after surgery is an important part of ensuring the effectiveness of the surgery. Patients should go to the hospital for follow-up examinations on time as required by the doctor, so as to understand the postoperative recovery situation in a timely manner and adjust the care plan. During the follow-up visit, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient's vision, intraocular pressure and other eye conditions, and give corresponding suggestions and guidance based on the examination results.

6. Psychological adjustment and rehabilitation support

In addition to physical care, cataract patients should also pay attention to psychological adjustment. Although cataract surgery can restore patients' vision, it still takes some time for patients to adapt to the new visual environment after surgery. Therefore, patients should maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and avoid excessive anxiety and tension. At the same time, the care and support of family and friends are also an indispensable source of strength for patients in the recovery process.

Cataract surgery, as one of the important achievements of modern medicine, has brought hope of regaining sight to many patients. However, comprehensive postoperative care should not be neglected. Only through scientific care methods and good lifestyle adjustments can the long-term stability of the surgical effect be ensured and the patient's comprehensive recovery be promoted. Let us pay attention to eye health together and "escort" every pair of eyes that yearn for light.