Dr. Alberto Chacon Talks about the Most Common Causes of Cataracts

December 11, 2017

An interview at Incornea sought to talk to ophthalmology professionals about cataract problems that can affect people regardless of sex or age. On this occasion, Dr. Alberto Chacon, an ophthalmological surgeon and director of the institute, was interviewed, and he answered some questions about cataract surgery in Bogota and talked about cataracts, which affect the vision of many patients and impairs their quality of life.

A transparent lens, called a crystalline lens, is housed inside the optical system, through which light rays pass through the cornea to reach the retina. When the lens becomes progressively cloudy, the light, which previously entered without any obstructions from the lens, becomes blurred in the retina, causing vision to also become blurred.

Cataracts is not a disease, but rather an ocular aging process that causes opacity in the eye's lens, making vision difficult. To Dr. Chacon, this is not a cause for alarm, since all people will suffer from it at some point in their lives. However, it is a degenerative condition that must be addressed as soon as possible.

The main cause of cataracts is the passage of time. Over time, the lenses of the eyes lose transparency and become cloudy. There are also other causes that lead to the appearance of cataracts, such as excessive use of corticoid drops, which, according to ophthalmologist Alberto Chacon, are widely used for pterygium, infections, and chronic inflammations. The use of these drops "has to be limited to no more than one or two months," he said.

Other causes that can damage the lens are: diabetes, intense heat, shock, or a burn caused by chemical agents. People who are experiencing a progressive deterioration of their eyesight because of cataracts have a hard time seeing well at night or when there is little light. According to Chacon, flashes caused by vehicle headlights often bother patients who are suffering from this condition: "When they are driving at night, the light from cars coming towards them immediately blinds them." Because the cataract produces turbid vision, the light that passes through the lens disperses and easily blinds the driver.

The surgery consists of removing the natural lens from the eyeball and replacing it with an artificial one. This procedure is minimally invasive, uses local anesthesia, and lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes. "Disability lasts one day. The next day, the patient can see, walk, and return to normal life," the specialist said.
During the initial stage of cataracts, glasses can be used to control their symptoms. However, when has brought in cataracts have progressed, the definitive treatment is surgery. It is important to note that you don't have to wait until the cataract has progressed to resort to surgery. Intervening on time reduces the discomfort of suffering more vision loss.

To learn more about cataract surgery in Bogota, we invite you to visit the news section of www.incornea.com.co.