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Cataract and macular surgery constitute the largest and most important part of surgery in modern ophthalmology, as it ensures therapeutic rehabilitation for the widest range of ophthalmological diseases. At the Athens Medical Center, we apply the most modern and minimally invasive surgical methods for the treatment of these diseases, because we recognize the importance of the best possible treatment of these diseases.

Cataract surgery

Regarding cataract surgery, let us first clarify that by the term “cataract” we mean the clouding of the lens that we all have inside our eye, with the result that when light enters the eyeball, it falls on this cloudy lens and cannot focus properly on the macula and cause clear vision. With cataract surgery, we replace the cloudy lens with a new plastic lens and the clarity and quality of vision are restored.

There is a misconception that cataract surgery is something simple and unimportant and unfortunately this perception is widespread. However, it is not true. The truth is that cataract surgery is a very serious operation, which consists of many surgical procedures inside the patient’s eye and to be successful, great experience and excellent training are required on the part of the surgeon and of course a very good logistical infrastructure is also required in the operating room.

Another equally important truth is that if the operation is not performed correctly and the eye is strained, there is a high probability that in the near future the operated eye will develop serious diseases that reduce vision and require prolonged treatments with eye drops, injections or even surgical procedures to be adequately treated.

It is also important to emphasize that not all cataract surgeries are the same. The degree of difficulty varies depending on the anatomy of each eye, while in clinical practice there are particularly demanding and complicated cases. In these, in order to perform the surgery safely and successfully, a more extensive operation than the classic one is required, with access not only to the anterior but also to the posterior half of the eye.

Yamane Surgical Technique for Cataracts

The best and most internationally established surgical method for treating these difficult cataract cases is the Yamane technique, which took its name from the Japanese surgeon who invented it. It is the least invasive technique, as the completion of the operation does not require the use of sutures, unlike other corresponding methods.

The knowledge and application of this technique allows the treatment of the entire spectrum of cataract cases, even the most complicated ones. Specifically, it offers the possibility of inserting and supporting the new intraocular lens inside the eye, with the smallest possible surgical incisions, without sutures, even in cases of significant anatomical peculiarities that can make the operation particularly difficult.

Our Clinic at the Athens Medical Center is the only one in Greece where this technique is applied, increasing to the greatest possible extent the safety and effectiveness of cataract surgery, even in its most difficult forms.

Macula Surgery

Macular surgery is equally important in clinical practice, as it is the central anatomical area of ​​the eye that is responsible for central vision and, to a large extent, for the quality of life of the individual.

The macula can be affected by various diseases. The encouraging thing, however, is that its treatment has made impressive progress in recent years, with highly effective treatments that can literally save central vision.

These treatments are not limited to the well-known intraocular injections, but also include newer forms of laser, as well as specialized, minimally invasive surgeries in the posterior hemisphere of the eye. These are approaches that offer significant benefits for the patient’s vision, with results that were not possible until a few years ago.