Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye and, in most cases, replace it with an artificial lens. Normally, the lens of your eye is clear. A cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, which eventually affects your vision.
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Cataract surgery is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, which means you don’t have to stay in the hospital after the surgery. Cataract surgery is very common and is generally a safe procedure.
Cataract surgery is painless and effective at removing blurred vision and requires little or no downtime.
Cataracts can cause blurry vision and increase the glare from lights. If a cataract makes it difficult for you to carry out your normal activities, your doctor may suggest cataract surgery. Your doctor may recommend cataract surgery when it is difficult for your to examine the back of your eye to monitor or treat other eye problems, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.
Cataract surgery can cost up to SDG$4,490 to SGD$ 10,000 for one eye. Though this price range is dependent on the location of the eye surgeon, the complexity of the eye condition, medication and the type of intraocular lens being implanted. Singapore citizens can claim Medisave and insurance for cataract surgery. Medisave allows a maximum claim of SGD$2,450 for each eye. Most insurance policies in Singapore provide coverage for cataract surgery, but the claimable amount will depend on your insurance coverage policy. Check out these treatments here and book an appointment to restore your vision today.
People Experiencing Difficulty in Everyday Tasks, Like Driving, Reading or Working Should Consider Cataract Surgery
90% of Singaporeans over the age of 70 have cataracts. 30% of Singaporeans over the age of 45 have also begun to acquire cataracts. The majority of the time, delaying cataract surgery won’t affect your eye, giving you time to weigh your alternatives.
When considering cataract surgery, keep these questions in mind:
• Can you see to safely do your job and to drive?
• Do you have problems reading or watching television?
• Is it difficult to cook, shop, work, climb stairs or take medications?
• Do vision problems affect your level of independence?
• Do bright lights make it more difficult to see?
Those that answer yes to any of these questions need to see their doctor and have a thorough examination performed. Cataract surgery may be suggested for any of these daily restrictions in order to improve your quality of life.
The Causes Of Cataracts Can Be Numerous, Age Alone and Other Underlying Conditions Can Play a Part
Once we hit 40 years old and over, it is natural for us to experience vision problems. As cataracts are a common eye problem related to ageing, it becomes more important for us to pay attention to eye care.
Besides ageing, there are many risk factors that can trigger cataracts, some of them include:
• Family history
• Genetics (congenital)
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Trauma or inflammation to the eye
• Eye surgery
• High myopia
• Steroids (oral, nasal, eye drops, etc)
• Radiation (UV from sunlight and ionising from x-rays and gamma rays)
When tackling the problem of cataracts, frequent eye tests at your optometrist as soon as you reach the age of 40 is recommended. To ensure optimum eye health, ask for a full eye check-up to look out for any other eye conditions that can affect your vision in the long run such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal tears.
Cataract Surgery is Quick, Safe and Can Be Performed as an Outpatient Procedure
Cataract surgery is quick and low-risk; it simply involves day surgery, which is completed in a single day and doesn’t need being admitted to the hospital. After a few days or weeks of recovery, patients may go home and resume their normal activities.
There are two approaches to treating cataracts:
• Microincision phacoemulsification surgery requires liquefying the cataract with ultrasonic energy before removing it via a 2-3 mm incision. allows for a quicker recovery since it doesn’t need to be stitched
• A femtosecond laser is used during laser-assisted cataract surgery to make the incision and break up the cataract. This procedure allows for precise lens placement and is the best option for difficult procedures
After removing the cataract, the cataract surgeon will make a 2- to 3-mm-long incision in each eye to implant an intraocular lens. Each patient will have either a monofocal, multifocal, or toric intraocular lens placed, depending on their eye health. Refractive errors are always a possibility after the surgical process. As a result, laser vision correction or ongoing use of glasses may be required.