Health
Presbyopia and cataracts: symptoms, operation and recovery
The specialists of the ophthalmology service at Quirónsalud Torrevieja answer the most frequently asked questions about cataracts and presbyopia.
What are cataracts and presbyopia?
Cataracts and presbyopia are nowadays considered to be the most common pathologies linked to the ageing of the crystalline lens. The crystalline lens can be defined as the eye’s natural lens located between the iris and the vitreous body.
The specialists explain the concept of cataracts in a simple way, “This crystalline lens that we are talking about becomes more opaque around the age of 60, this is what cataracts are”.
On the other hand, presbyopia can be defined as the gradual loss of the eyes’ ability to focus on close objects due to the loss of elasticity of the crystalline lens.
At this point, the question of whether presbyopia can be solved without resorting to lenses or glasses may arise.
In this sense, the experts argue that there are various solutions for this without resorting to glasses from the age of 50 onwards, “At around the age of 50 the method of choice is to replace the crystalline lens with a multifocal intraocular lens”.
Cataract and presbyopia surgery
In both presbyopia and cataract surgery, the technique consists of aspirating the contents of the crystalline lens and implanting an intraocular lens inside it. It is a definitive, lifelong technique. “The results are excellent, but it is essential to carry out an exhaustive and personalised study, to know the patient’s activities in order to offer the best alternative,” explain the experts.
Frequently asked questions about cataract and presbyopia operations
Price of the operation. In this regard, the amount will depend on the specialist who is in charge of the operation and the clinic.
- Postoperative period. It is quite simple, as these are painless surgeries, in addition, they have a quick recovery. It is only necessary to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.
Duration of the operation. It does not usually last more than 20 minutes on average.
The eyes heal completely in just 2 to 4 weeks after the operation.
Once the surgery has been performed, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Do not lift too much weight.
- Do not practice risky sports.
- Avoid direct water in the eyes.
- Avoid wearing make-up for the first two weeks.
- Do not expose to toxic agents.
- Do not sunbathe.
Occasional symptoms after cataract surgery
Once the cataract operation has been performed, certain side effects may appear, which are transitory and disappear very quickly. However, if they do not disappear within an hour after surgery, it is advisable to ask your ophthalmologist for information.
Can cataracts and presbyopia be treated in the same operation?
“Yes, in fact, a patient who has had presbyopia surgery will never develop cataracts,” explain the ophthalmologists at Quirónsalud Torrevieja.
This statement is due to the fact that, when a person undergoes presbyopia surgery, at the same time they can be considered to be undergoing early cataract surgery. The reverse is also true: removing a cataract also corrects presbyopia.
When should cataract surgery be performed?
The optimal time to have cataract surgery is when people begin to notice limitations in their vision. The worse the cataracts get, the more difficult it is to remove them surgically.
Quirónsalud Torrevieja Ophthalmology Service
The team of specialists at Quirónsalud Torrevieja offers comprehensive care, with the safest, most precise and innovative technology for this type of treatment.
Health
Quirónsalud Torrevieja receives the golden seal of the Joint Commission International, the most demanding quality accreditation in the world in the health field
The Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja has been accredited with the golden seal of the Joint Commission International, the highest distinction granted by this body, after an exhaustive audit in which more than 1,200 quality standards have been analysed, which the hospital rigorously complies with.
This accreditation of the Joint Commission International is the most demanding worldwide for the health field and analyses that all the care and processes of the hospital are focused on safety and quality, and in a process of continuous improvement.
Continuous improvement of quality and safety in care at Quirónsalud Torrevieja
The achievement of accreditation means an official recognition of the great effort to improve the safety and quality of care, guaranteeing a safe patient care environment and permanent work for the reduction of risks.
The Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja has carried out multiple actions in order to promote a safety culture established throughout the organisation, working on the improvement of the six international safety objectives recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO): unequivocal identification of the patient, effective communication between professionals, improvement of safety in the use of high-risk medicines, safe surgery, decreasing the risk of infections and reducing the risk of falls.
The audit team has highlighted as a differentiating element of the Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja the great teamwork of the hospital, the excellence in the safety culture and the involvement and enthusiasm with the continuous improvement of the hospital.
The organisations accredited with this prestigious seal (which must be renewed every three years), respond to an international demand for evaluation in the health sector through quality levels based on evaluable standards and comparable with other countries, with the aim of stimulating constant improvement.
The Quirónsalud Group also holds this accreditation from the Teknon Medical Centre, the Dexeus University Hospital, the Quirónsalud Barcelona Hospital, the Quirónsalud Madrid University Hospital, the Quirónsalud Córdoba University Hospital, the Ricardo Palma Clinic in Lima (Peru), and the Imbanaco Clinic in Cali (Colombia).
Last year, Quirónsalud became the first private hospital group in the world to obtain the Joint Commission International Enterprise accreditation, as well as the first health entity in Europe to do so. The fact of having this recognition is an additional guarantee for patients seeking the best health care to treat their health problems.
What is Joint Commission International?
The Joint Commission International is a non-profit organisation, which has been working since the 90s in more than 100 countries to improve patient safety and quality of care, offering health accreditation services internationally. This organisation audits hospitals, health systems and agencies, government ministries and institutions, promoting rigorous standards of care. JCI is the most prestigious health accreditation in the world for its high level of demand, for the safety it provides to the patient and for the rigorous and exhaustive evaluation of all care processes.
The specialists of the Cardiology Unit at Quirónsalud Torrevieja answer the most frequently asked questions about cardiovascular diseases.
What is cardiovascular pathology?
Cardiovascular disease refers to the pathological process that affects the entire arterial system, not only the coronary arteries, but also the brain, legs and the rest of the body.
Therefore, when we talk about cardiovascular disease we refer to stroke, transient ischaemic attack, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, intermittent claudication and arterial ischaemia as manifestations of cardiovascular disease, among others.
The pathological process involved is usually atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fats, cholesterol and other substances within the wall of the arteries, causing progressive narrowing and even complete obstruction, blocking the flow of blood that should reach a part of the body.
Prevention of cardiovascular diseases
In addition to exhaustively treating the classic risk factors such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia (hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridaemia) and tobacco consumption, there are a series of measures that help prevent the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease. The cardiology experts at Quirónsalud have drawn up the following list:
– Nutrition: is the integrating pillar for both prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
– Exercise: most cardiovascular risk factors are improved by a combination of aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching.
– Mind-heart interactions: A clear association between emotional state and heart health has been observed. Stress can induce ischaemia by causing both epicardial and microvascular vasoconstriction.
How to prevent heart disease
At Quirónsalud, heart health experts and cardiologists recommend the benefits of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention programme, including: nutritional changes through a low-fat, vegetable-based diet, frequent physical exercise and stress management, all of which have shown the disappearance of angina pectoris in 74% of patients included in the study by Frattaroli et al.
In addition, as shown in the 2011 study by Sattelmair et al in the scientific journal Circulation, walking 30 minutes 5 days a week reduces the risk of ischaemic heart disease (angina pectoris or myocardial infarction) by 14%.
Risk factors for heart disease
There are certain risk factors for heart disease that are not within our control, such as genetic inheritance, age, gender and environmental pollution. However, by knowing these factors in each person’s specific situation, we can take appropriate measures to try to minimise the harmful effects of these risk factors.
Keeping the heart healthy
Stress is pervasive in our lives today and we need to learn how to manage it effectively. Stress can induce ischaemia by different mechanisms, but it also alters autonomic regulation and triggers the release of circulating catecholamines that can even trigger stress cardiomyopathy. In the 2012 study by Schneider et al, it was shown that meditating twice a day can reduce cardiovascular events by up to 48%.
Diet to prevent heart disease
One of the best-studied dietary approaches in cardiology is the Mediterranean diet, which consists of increasing vegetable and fruit intake, giving preference to whole grains over refined grains, reducing red meat and increasing fish consumption, with a predominant use of olive and rapeseed oil.
Sport for an active heart
The sport with the most cardiovascular benefits would be one that combines aerobic exercise, resistance training and stretching.
Walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week has been shown to play a beneficial role in cardiovascular risk management. Thus, sports such as running, cycling, jogging, trekking or swimming would fulfil this role. A notable cardiovascular benefit has also been demonstrated with tai chi, a form of martial art from ancient China that is characterised by smooth, flowing movements.