Presbyopia is common amongst people age 40 and above, due to the weakening eye-focusing mechanism. When near object vision is seen as blur, many people tend to place their reading material further away than the normal distant to achieve clearer vision. Reading glasses are worn to help see near objects.
• See animated clip about Presbyopia

Hyperopia is commonly known as Long-Sightedness where far or distant objects are seen as slighty blurred, and near objects seen as even more blurred. In such a case, a plus [convex] lens is recommended to correct the light focus onto the retina, hence allowing clear vision.
• See animated clip about Hyperopia

Myopia is commonly known as Short-Sightedness where far or distant objects would appear unclear or blurred. In such a case, a minus [concave] lens is usually recommended to correct the light focus onto the retina, thereby allowing clear vision.
• See animated clip about Myopia

Astigmatism occurs when the surface of the cornea is not uniform, resulting in distorted vision when the rays of light are focus onto the retina regardless if it is near or distant object. In such a case, a toric lens would be recommended to correct the focus of light onto the retina, thus allowing clear vision. It is also quite common that Astigmatism could occur together with Myopia or Hyperopia.
• See animated clip about Astigmatism

A gradual blurring of vision is usually noticed, sometimes accompanied by yellowing or fogging up of vision. Some people experience glare or increased blurring under bright light conditions. Still others experience a change in their spectacle prescription, often in myopia (short-sightedness) and/or astigmatism as the cataract worsens. Colours often appear duller and less saturated. Sometimes cataracts can lead to glaucoma, where increased eye pressure can result in permanent blindness.

Cataract develops in everyone as part of the normal process of ageing. Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is an underlying factor. Cataract may also develop after eye injury or inflammation, in certain diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, or as a side-effect of medications such as steroid creams, inhalers or tablets.

Cataracts are diagnosed by the eye doctor using a special microscope called a slit lamp. The different types of cataract that can cause different symptoms may thus be assessed and other abnormalities of the eye must be excluded before the decision is taken to proceed with cataract surgery.

In the past, cataract surgery used to be performed only when the cataract had become very mature or “ripe”. Due to huge advances in the surgical technique, cataract surgery is now indicated when blurred vision starts to hamper one’s daily activities. In cases where the cataract is likely to cause other more serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, surgery is indicated earlier, sometimes even before vision is significantly blurred.

Eye medications are not effective in the treatment of cataracts. Cataract surgery is the only effective method in the management of this condition. It is performed safely and effectively as a Day Surgery procedure (Medisave-claimable) under local anaesthesia in usually less than 30 minutes. Advances in sutureless (no stitches required) small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery now mean that patients can enjoy rapid recovery in their vision within a few days. With an appropriate choice of lens implants such as aspheric monofocal, toric (astigmatic) or multifocal lenses, patients can become spectacle-independent for distance and even for reading. Indeed with the improved designs of the newer multifocal lens implants that are available today, cataract surgery is currently the best method of treating presbyopia (“lao hua”).

Each type of lens implants has got different strengths and weaknesses. Be sure to discuss your needs and lifestyle with your eye doctor in order to select the most appropriate lens implant for you.

Aspheric monofocal lens implants Peak visual performance occurs at the age of about 19 years old, when the average spherical aberration is 0 microns. With ageing, spherical aberration increases, resulting in a decrease in contrast sensitivity. Aspheric lens implants now available in cataract surgery aim to reduce this spherical aberration and offers a much sharper vision compared to the standard monofocal lens. People who need to see well for distance in poor light conditions will benefit from this type of lens implants.

Toric lens implants are indicated if significant astigmatism is present and if the patient desires to be spectacle-free after cataract surgery.

Multifocal lens implants offer the possibility of total spectacle-independence for distance, intermediate and near (reading) vision. Combined with an aspheric design, the newer-generation multifocal lens implants offer these advantages with less glare and haloes. Patients who lead an active lifestyle and yet place a premium on visual acuity for near work will find these lens implants advantageous.