Cataract

What is Cataract?

All of us are born with a normal clear crystalline lens. This crystalline lens has to stay clear in order for us to have a clear vision. But factors like age, environment, certain medications, injuries to the eye or even development defects from birth, can cause areas around the crystalline lens to become cloudy and turn translucent or even opaque over time. Medically this is termed a "Cataract" - Clouding of the lens in the eye. As light passes though this cataractous lens, it is scattered, causing vision to be blurred or blocked, phobia to lights or even colour de-saturation.

Symptoms

The first sign of a cataract is usually the blurring of vision that cannot be corrected by glasses. This is due to the opacification, or clouding of the lens. Other possible symptoms include:

- Seeing multiple images

- Poor vision in bright light

- Seeing a large black spot in front of the eye

- Halo around lights

- Progressive myopia (shortsightedness)

Treatment Options for Cataracts

Presently, there is no recognised or effective treatment for cataract once it has advanced, other than surgery. Depending on the needs of the patient and as long as their vision remains well, surgery is not necessary. However, if your daily activities are significantly hampered by your poor vision, then your surgeon is likely to advise removing the cataract. 

What is Cataract Surgery?

Phacoemulsification is a procedure to replace the natural defective lens in our eyes with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. It is now the popular method of cataract surgery. It involves inserting a small ultrasound proble through a small 2-3mm incision in the cornea to break up the cloudy lens into small fragments, which are sucked out through the same probe. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant is then inserted through the small wound and into the transparent lens bag that is left intact within the eye. Traditionally, IOL’s have only a single zone of clear focus (monofocal), usually set for excellent distance vision, but require the use of reading glasses for near tasks. With the advent of new technology, premium IOL’s now have several zones of clear focus and allow for simultaneous correction of both distance and near vision (multifocal).

Intra-Ocular Lens Implants

An intra-ocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens made of plastic, silicone, acrylic or other material that is surgically implanted inside the eye. This form of treatment could be considered one of the most important ophthalmic developments in the last 30 years. 

Despite its excellent results, particularly in patients who are below the age of 45, there still have been occasional complications, such as raised eye pressure (glaucoma) and inflammation (iritis). Each patient will have their own individual needs and problems so it will be best for the patients to discuss the treatment option with their ophthalmologists.

Monofocal Lens Implants

Monofocal Intraocular Lens was traditionally used for the past many years and is still used today. This lens allow for only one point of focus that is usually targeted just for good distance vision. Thus, patients will still require glasses for near vision after surgery.

Multifocal Lens Implants

Multifocal Intraocular Lens, as the name implies, have more than one point of focus (2 poits). Although these types of implants have been available for years, recent improvements in the design have made them much more popular today. Different ring zones allow the patient to simultaneously see near and distant vision. These special rings on the implant are designed to offer 2 sharp points of focus and this unique technological innovation provides one with quality vision throughout the entire visual spectrum from near through distance - with increased independence from glasses. However, one of the disadvantages of the multifocal IOL is the decreased clarity in night vision due to glare and halos.

The Multifocal IOL is suitable for patients who:

1. Like reading or doing a lot of close work without glasses

2. Like independence for distance vision

3. Are not fussy about possible side-effects of glare and halos especially at night

The Multifocal IOL is not suitable for patients who:

1. Drive at night for a living

2. Work at the computers daily

3. Are fussy about night vision side-effects

4. Have high astigmatism

Multifocal lens implants are excellent for selected patients and can help achieve total spectacle independence and could be the best treatment option for cataracts today.

Why choose EEC?

Since its opening in November 2006, EEC has treated over a thousand cases of cataract surgery and achieved a remarkable 99.9% surgical success rate. Our surgeons manage new cases of cataracts daily. In fact, with our established reputation for treating cataracts, EEC was recently selected as the ONLY representative site in Singapore to conduct the Phase 4 Clinical Trials on the latest multi-focal lens implants for Presbyopia and Cataract patients.

Conclusion

Cataracts are common as we age but treatment by surgery today offers excellent outcomes. Multiple lens choices exist today and cataract surgery with multifocal lens implant may just be the solution you’ve been waiting for. 

Enquiries

Eagle Eye Centre Pte Ltd (EEC)

820 Thomson Road, Mount Alvernia Hospital,

Medical Centre Block B, #02-11/17,

Singapore 574623

Tel: 6456-1000 / 6eagleye (63245393)

Email: eec@eagleeyecentre.com.sg

Website: www.eagleeyecentre.com.sg

Article Written by:

Dr Jacob Cheng Yen Chuan

Dr Julian Theng

Dr Lim Wee Kiak