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In a cataract, the vision of the eyes become blurry due to the opacification of the lens. A cataract is a second major cause of visual impairment and preventable blindness. Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures to improve vision and prevent blindness across the world.
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IsCataractSurgerySafeToDo DuringCovid?|mumbaieyecare Introduction Inacataract,thevisionoftheeyes becomeblurry duetotheopacificationof the lens.Acataractis asecondmajorcauseofvisualimpairmentand preventableblindness.Cataractsurgeryis oneofthemostcommon proceduresto improvevisionandpreventblindnessacross the world. Average monthly cataractsurgeriesperformed inIndiaareover5 lakhs.Due tothe COVID-19pandemic,suddencancellation insurgicalprocedureshas createdsignificantbacklogs incataractsurgery. Does Cataract Surgery HadA Risk Of Covid-19 Exposure? Itis necessary tounderstandhowthecoronavirus can infectyou.Avirus can infectyou intwoways. One wayis by inhalingtheaerosols producedduring coughingorsneezingby an infectedperson.Another way ofspreadingthe virus is whenapersontouchesthenose, eyes ormouth withinfectedhands. Wearingmasks, avoidingtouchingthefaceandpractisinghandhygienecan lowertheriskofcontracting COVID-19. Incataractsurgery,there is noorminimalaerosol production.Thepatient’s face is covered withasteriledrapeduringthesurgery.Further,thesurgeons takeall theprecautions as perthesurgicalprotocol ofCOVID-19,suchas wearingpersonalprotectiveequipment.Thesurgery takesaround10-15 minutes,andthus,theexposuretimetoacquire infectionis low.Hence,the risk of getting infectedthroughthecovid19viruses is less duringsurgery. WhenToHaveCataract SurgeryIn Current Pandemic Acataractis aprogressiveconditionthatmeansthecloudingofyour lenswill increaseovertime.Thesurgerydependsonthefunctional level ofthe lens. Unlessthevisionofthepatients getsseverely compromised,delayingsurgery hasno incrementin risk. Yourdoctor willevaluatetheconditionofyour lensin contextwithyourrisk thatmayoccurduetoyourdailyactivities suchas driving,readingandcooking. Thedoctorwillkeepaneyeonyourcompletevisionexaminationanddecide howmuchasurgeoncan restorethevisionbyremovingthecataract.Insome cases,delayingthecataractmay resultinpermanentblindness.Takethe adviceofanexpertophthalmologistinyourarea.
Peoplecandelay cataractsurgerybywearingsunglassestopreventeyes fromultravioletrays.Thepatientshouldstopsmokingandstartconsuming greenvegetables,fruits andfoodthathaveantioxidantproperties.Aperson shouldhavecontrolleddiabetesandBloodpressure.Aregulareye examinationcanalsohelptoavoidsurgery duringthecovid19pandemics. MeasuresToFollow WhileTakingCataractTreatment Youshouldalways follow the COVID-19precautionarymeasures,i.e.,atthe doctor’s clinic andbeforeandafterthecataractsurgery. You may alsohave theoptionfortelemedicinetoconsultwithyourdoctor. Atthedoctor’s clinic Thepatientshouldfix anappointmentforaconsultationto reducethetimefor waiting.Heshouldwearamask andgloves topreventphysical contacttoany surfaceintheclinic.Thepatientshouldusedigitalpaymentmodes toavoid unnecessary physical contact.Heshouldavoidtalkingtootherpatients. Reducethebaggagetotheclinic preventsexposuretotheinfectedsurface. Thepatientshouldmaintainsocial distancingwhileseated intheclinic. After surgery,thepatientcanconsult withaprofessional throughtelemedicineto reducethechanceof getting infected. Beforeandafterthecataractsurgery Thepatientshould wearamask beforeenteringthediagnosticroom.He shoulduseahandsanitiserprovidedby thehospital.Itsuse is compulsory for bothpatientandhealthcare worker.Onlyonepatientshouldallowalongwith anattendee intothediagnostic room.Cleaningofall instrumentsinthe diagnosticarea is necessarybeforethesurgery.Thepatientis advisednotto touchanysurfaceofthepremises. Optionfortelemedicine Telemedicineis anexcellentoptiontomaintainsocial distancingandseeking advicefromanophthalmologist.Itresultsindecreasingphysical contactand reducescross-infectionamongpatientsandhealthcarepersonnel.Itreduces unnecessary gatherings and reducesthe risk of infection. Conclusion Cataractsurgeryis electivesurgery.However,sometimes,theprolonged, untreatedcataract mayresultincompromisedvision.Cataractsurgery,if done willall the COVID-19safety protocols,is safe,andtherearevery minimalchancesofspreading infection.Patientsshouldconsultoverthe phone withtheophthalmologist,wheneverpossible, to reducethe risk of
COVID-19.Patientaftercataractsurgery shouldavoidcontact withother peopleandminimizetravel.
