What is a Cataract?
How is a Cataract treated?
How are cataracts and presbyopia linked?
Inside our eyes, there is a lens that helps us see clearly at different distances, similar to a camera lens. As we age, this lens hardens and becomes less flexible, making it harder to see things up close. The first sign of a cataract is often presbyopia, also known as "Lao Hua" (老花). Later, cataracts can cause glare and blurred vision.
Watch this video on why presbyopia happens
When should I have my cataract treated?
You should think about treatment when it impacts your daily life, not based on the severity of the cataract. Many patients choose this chance to fix myopia, long-sightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism. At The EyeClinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, we aim to help you live without glasses for both distance and close-up vision, giving you a wonderful new way of life.
Is cataract surgery really life changing?
Cataract surgery is generally safe worldwide. Our focus is not only on the surgery but also on helping you choose the best lens that fits your lifestyle.
Patients report that colors appear more vibrant and appreciate the convenience of not needing glasses for distance, computer use, and reading. Many also feel they look younger without reading glasses. The surgery's success depends on choosing the right lens implant. Our experience helps us select the best multifocal lens for each patient’s needs and preferences. Some multifocal lenses may create glare and halos, making them unsuitable for night driving. Others work well for those who enjoy needlework or reading in Chinese. Refractive multifocal lenses have fewer sight disturbances compared to diffractive ones. We will discuss this in more detail during our appointment.
Multifocal lenses are like cars. There are SUVs and cabriolets and every model in between. We need to discuss which one is best suited to you.”
How are cataracts treated?
Eye drops and pills cannot fix cataracts. The only way is cataract surgery. Cataract surgery needs to be done only once in your life time. “ A second cataract is a mis-nomer and not a cataract. This is better explained here. The cataract surgery takes about 15 minutes and does not require staying overnight in hospital. They are called Day surgery or ambulatory surgery. Medisave and insurance cover cataract surgery even without an overnight stay.
With new lenses that fix both near and far vision, many people choose to have surgery earlier, instead of waiting for the cataract to become very thick. When the cataract is too thick, surgery is harder and riskier.
Most patients take light sedation to reduce fear, which I recommend because it helps relax you during surgery. After surgery, no eye patch is needed; you just wear sunglasses and feel comfortable. This is different from the old types of surgery you may have heard about.
Watch this Video on treatment to complete the cataract surgery. This is done only months to years after cataract surgery when the vision is blurred after cataract surgery. This needs to be done only ONCE. Yag capsulotomy is the name of the procedure and is covered by medisave and insurance.
You only need this procedure once. The cataract won’t come back, and the lens implant doesn’t have to be replaced. If a clouding called posterior capsular opacity happens later, a one-time YAG laser treatment can fix it.
Lens options to replace your cataract
How do monofocal lenses and multifocal lenses compare?
Lenses can help you see at different distances, allowing you to see far and near with each eye. Monovision means using one eye for distance and the other for close-up, which can reduce depth perception and affect how you see on the computer. I don’t prefer monovision and recommend trying it with glasses or contacts before cataract surgery to see if it works for you. Choosing an intraocular lens (IOL) is similar to selecting a car, as there are various brands and types, like sedans or SUVs. Our specialty is helping you find the IOL that suits your lifestyle and preferences.