Ծառայության մասին
Cataract Surgery via Phacoemulsification
One of the essential conditions for clear vision is a transparent lens. Over time, the lens may become clouded due to various factors such as aging, intraocular inflammation, radiation exposure, eye trauma, and more — a condition known as cataract. The main and most definitive treatment for cataract is surgical removal of the clouded lens and its replacement with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
There are several surgical techniques for cataract removal, the most modern of which is phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is an ultrasound-assisted surgery involving a very small incision to remove the lens and implant an artificial intraocular lens. In Armenia, the first phacoemulsification procedure was performed by Professor Alexander Malayan in 1986 at the Republican Eye Center of the Ministry of Health (now the S.V. Malayan Ophthalmological Center). Today, it is considered one of the safest and fastest procedures — typically lasting 5 to 10 minutes — and is associated with minimal postoperative complications.
Compared to older methods requiring large incisions, this technique has a key advantage: no stitches are needed, which eliminates suture-induced astigmatism and allows for full visual recovery as early as the next day. After surgery, patients typically use prescribed eye drops for 3–4 weeks and can return to an active lifestyle without restrictions.
Over the past three years, the S.V. Malayan Ophthalmological Center has adopted the most advanced phacoemulsification equipment (Infiniti Alcon) and premium intraocular lenses.
In the Pediatric Department, surgeries for congenital and acquired cataracts (lens opacification) are performed with excellent visual outcomes. Surgery can be performed from the age of 4 months, once the child can safely undergo general anesthesia. At this stage, cloudy lens material is removed without implantation of an intraocular lens.
From age 1, lens removal is typically combined with the simultaneous implantation of an artificial intraocular lens. The implanted lens does not need to be replaced throughout the patient's life.
Surgeries are performed using state-of-the-art equipment, including phacoemulsification and irrigation–aspiration of lens masses. Mostly soft intraocular lenses are used; in some cases, a hard lens may be required. Lens selection is highly individualized and tailored to each eye. The surgical incision is very small, and the operation is completed without stitches. The goal is to preserve the transparency and optical clarity of the eye’s external structures.
Cataract surgery is performed as early as possible to promote vision development in the affected eye, thus preventing a condition known as amblyopia (lazy eye).