| Eye_Care_Source__Cataracts Offers the types, symptoms, detection, treatment and prevention. |
| Eye_Surgery_-_Cataract_and_Epiretinal_Membrane Personal experience and illustrations obtained during eye surgeries under local anestesia. |
| How_Do_Cataracts_Affect_Your_Vision? This simulation is designed to help patients and their caregivers better understand the possible progression of cataracts. |
| MedicineNet__Cataracts Includes what they are, how they form, symptoms, diagnosis, implantation of IOL's, and prevention. |
| Pediatric_Cataract_Surgery Short fact sheet on treatment of cataracts in children. |
| VisionChannel_-_Cataracts Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition which causes a clouding of the eye and can cause a loss of vision if untreated. |
| BioMed_Central__Cryptococcosis Medical article on the disease. |
| Cryptococcal_Meningitis Comprehensive information on this yeast-like fungus opportunistic infection, from AEGIS. |
| Cryptococcosis Information resources from The Body. |
| Dr__Fungus_-_Cryptococcosis Extensive factsheet on the disease. |
| eMedicine_-_Cryptococcosis__ Article by John W King, MD. |
| MedlinePlus_Medical_Encyclopedia__Cryptococcosis Features cause, symptoms, tests, diagnosis, prognosis, complications, treatment, and prevention. |
| What_Makes_Cryptococcus_neoformans_a_Pathogen? Scientific article on the organism. |
| Arrhythmogenic_Right_Ventricular_Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia ARVD information and treatment for patients and medical doctors. |
| Broken_Heart_Syndrome__Acute_Stress_Cardiomyopathy About this condition in which intense emotional or physical stress can cause rapid and severe heart muscle weakness. Includes information about Johns Hopkins University's case registry for use in rese |
| The_Cardiac_Center A list of treatment alternatives available to patients with cardiomyopathy/heart failure. A list of services, information for patients and second opinions are topics discussed. |
| Cardiomyopathy HealthCentral presents this disorder discussing the different types. |
| Cardiomyopathy_Association Helps sufferers and medical professionals find ways to deal with various forms of this disease. |
| Charity_Mae_Foundation In memory of a teenage girl who died unexpectedly in January 1998 from complications of cardiomyopathy. Detailed information on this disorder and a support group. |
| The_Deborah_Heart_and_Lung_Center A look at cardiomyopathy, the types, causes, diagnosing, symptoms, treatment and what to expect. |
| Dr__Strand_MD___Specializing_in_Nutritional_Medicine Looks extensively at cardiomyopathy and Coenzyme Q10 supplementing. |
| Familial_Dilated_Cardiomyopathy_Research_Project Offers information about the project for patients, families and health professionals. Oregon Health Sciences University. |
| Fox\'s_Medical_Page A site describing a young woman's struggle with cardiomyopathy. She has a left ventricular assist device, and is waiting for a heart transplant. Site has links to educational sites on heart failure, a |
| Gilead__The_Israeli_Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy_Association A detailed outline of what the association is and is trying to accomplish. Also the story of Gilead Har'El. |
| Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy Answers questions such as what is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, how common is it, how does it develop, symptoms, physical exam, and is there a cure. |
| Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy An in-depth discussion on this disorder as to what it is, history and other names, how common it is, the causes, new discoveries, how the heart is affected and many other topics are covered. |
| Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy_Association Membership information is discussed as well as in-depth discussion on this disorder. Some topics are, how common it is, symptoms, diagnosing, cures and research. |
| Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy_Association_of_Canada Information about the association. Includes patient manual and patient stories. |
| Living_With_Dilated_Cardiomyopathy A personal story about this disorder covering exercise and rest, diet and weight, medicines, self control and mental attitude. |
| Mayo_Hypertrophic_Cardiomyopathy_Clinic A look at the facilities and the role of the clinic. Answers and questions for patients and relatives and a section with useful references about this disease. |
| The_Merck_Manual A look at dilated (congestive), hypertophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathies, discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of each. |
| Montgomery_Heart_Foundation_for_Cardiomyopathy Provides private funding to support genetic research for familial cardiomyopathy and raise awareness of the disease to help promote the advancement of a cure. Includes the story of the Montgomery fami |
| A_Mother\'s_Heart,_Inc_ Offers education, advocacy, and patient support for women suffering from peripartum cardiomyopathy, cardiac failure occurring near the end of pregnancy or after a baby's birth, when there is no prior |
| Peripartum_Cardiomyopathy Describes this disorder including symptoms, risk factors, diagnosing, tests, treatment and prognosis. |
| Peripartum_Cardiomyopathy_and_Pregnancy Explains what peripartum cardiomyopathy means for your pregnancy, implications for baby and anticipated management and care. From WebMD Health. |
| Peripartum_Cardiomyopathy_Support Peer support for women with this heart condition stemming from pregnancy. |
| Pillie_Willie_Koerier Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine and taurine where used by this person for the treatment of this disorder. The steps and results are recorded here. |
| RXmed__Cardiomyopathy Explains what cardiomyopathy is, signs and symptoms, risk factors, prevention, diagnoses and treatment, medication, activity, diet, possible complications, and prognosis. |
| Again_and_Again A large, organized collection of annotated links to OCD-related web sites. |
| Anxieties_com_OCD_Information Information on OCD and its treatment. |
CATARACT
SURGERY
Several different procedures have been developed to remove cataracts.
Currently the preferred technique in most cases is phacoemulsification.
Extracapsular Extraction:
This is a rather old technique in which a 12mm incision is performed in the
eye to extract the lens as a whole. The lens' capsule is left in place to
hold an intraocular lens. Multiple sutures are required to seal the eye after
surgery. These sutures must be carefully tightened not to produce astigmatism.
Phacoemulsification:
Phacoemulsification ("phaco") was developed in the search for a way to extract
cataracts through a smaller incision. It has become the preferred technique for cataract
extraction. An ultrasound or laser probe is used to break the lens apart
without harming the capsule. These fragments are then aspirated out of the eye.
A foldable intraocular lens (IOL) is then introduced through the 3mm incision. Once
inside the eye, the lens unfolds to take position inside the capsule. No sutures
are needed, as the incision is self-sealing.
The risk of astigmatism and sudden pressure changes inside the eye are minimized.
The procedure is safe enough to be done under topical anesthesia (anesthetic eyedrops).
Visual rehabilitation is extremely fast and patients don't need to suspend their
everyday activities.
Who will benefit from phacoemulsification?
Most people suffering from cataracts will benefit from this procedure.
Best results are obtained in persons with early cataracts. It is preferable not
to wait until the cataract is ripe and vision is excessively low since the
cataract will be to hard for the phacoemulsifier. Surgery is indicated as
soon as vision is not adequate for daily activities.
Is phacoemulsification safe?
In the hands of a good surgeon phacoemulsifiaction is extremely safe due to
these advantages:
Small incision (3mm): Sutures are not needed due to the very small
incision (it is self-sealing). This reduces the risk of astigmatism
and foreign body sensation after surgery. It also eliminates fluctuations
in intraocular pressure during surgery, which in turn reduces risk of hemorrhage.
Topical Anesthesia: Anesthetic eyedrops is all what is required. No need
for injections or general anesthesia.
Immediate recovery: No admissions to the clinic or bandages are needed.
The patient may restart daily activities immediately.
Eye structures are intact: The small size of the incision does not
affect eye structure. Eye resistance to trauma is the same as it was
before surgery.
Just as any other surgical procedure, phacoemulsification has risks.
One out of a hundred persons operated on with this technique has some sort of
complication. In almost every case there is a solution to the problem. Severe
complications are extremely rare.
How should I prepare for phacoemulsification?
No special preparation is needed for phacoemulsifiaction. Your ophthalmologist
should make sure there are no associated pathologies, which can interfere with
the prognosis, by making an extensive examination of your eyes including
pupil dilation. A measurement of your eye's length and corneal curvature is
crucial for calculating the power of the intraocular lens to be implanted.
What should I do during surgery?
During surgery you will be lying on the operating bed. The operating microscope
will be in front of you and you will always see the microscope's bright light.
Your face will be covered with sterile drapes and oxygen will be provided under
them. You should never touch these drapes. A small device will hold your lids
open. During the procedure you should keep your eye as still as possible. The best
way to achieve this is by looking at a single point throughout surgery.
Usually the operating microscope's light is a good reference point. You will
feel the hands of the surgeon on your forehead and the sound of the phacoemulsifier,
similar to that of a hair trimmer. You will occasionally feel cold water over
your eye that may even go down your cheek. This is the solution needed to
keep your eye properly hydrated.
Is phacoemulsification painful? How long does it take?
Phacoemulsification is performed under topical anesthesia (anesthetic eyedrops).
No injections or general anesthesia are required. The patient is awake during
the procedure feeling no pain at all. Phacoemulsification takes about 15 minutes
per eye. Once finished, you will go home without need for hospitalization.
What should I do after surgery?
It is important not to squeeze your eye the first couple of days after
surgery. Normally there will be some foreign body sensation, similar to
having an eyelash in your eye. No bandages are required so the patient walks
out of the operating room by his own means even though vision will be blurry
for 2 or 3 days. Eyedrops will be prescribed for 2 to 3 weeks. Two weeks
after surgery you will be able to perform any activity without risk.
What results can I expect?
Over 90% of people achieve a vision better than 20/30 after phaco. If there is
some kind of a retinal condition this could not be the case. Reading glasses
are the rule after cataract surgery (in many cases they were also required
before surgery due to presbyopia).
Can a second procedure be necessary?
In some cases the capsule may opacify some time after surgery, compromising
vision. In these cases a central perforation in the capsule is required to
restore vision. This is called a capsulotomy and is achieved with a
YAG laser. The capsulotomy is performed as an outpatient procedure and
produces no pain. No anesthetic is necessary and rehabilitation is immediate.
Clínica Reinoso - ColombiaBogotá:
Address: Calle 134 # 13-83 Cons. 408-411 / Phone: [57](1) 520-7788
Chía: Address: Kilómetro 2 variante Chía -
Cajicá / Phone: [57](1) 8-626-555
WARNING!
The information and/or responses in this eye care education service are not intended
to replace consultation with an ophthalmologist. This service contains general eye
care information only. Only a doctor can diagnose and treat a medical condition. In
NO CASE will Clínica Reinoso or any doctor or sponsor be held liable for any decisions
you may make upon reliance of such information.
Updated: February 9, 2000
Copyright © 1999-2000 Reinoso y Asociados - Bogotá, Colombia. All rights reserved.
