Post by eyesurgerq on Mar 20, 2015 9:02:00 GMT
The old techniques of cataract surgery involved removing the entire lens in one piece using a large incision on the cornea, or the transparent front part of the eye. Maintaining the lens intact was critical so surgery was delayed until the cataract was far advanced or ripe for surgery. When the cataract is ripe, it becomes very hard and this makes it easier to remove the lens without breaking it into pieces. After surgery, the patient had to wear very thick glasses in order to see clearly.