Cataract Surgery Singapore: Act Now Before Your Cataract Gets Worse
Everything Your Need to Know About Cataract Symptoms, Risks, and Treatments
Are you experiencing blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or eye strain? You may be having something more than eye fatigue. You could be experiencing early signs of cataract. It can be alarming but, fortunately, it is treatable and surgeries have a high success rate.
In terms of volume performed in public hospitals, cataract surgery Singapore surgeons do is one of the top ten surgeries in the country. This may be due to the fact that cataracts are quite common among people as they get older and cataract surgeries are generally safe.
However, many do not realise that they have cataracts because the condition often progresses gradually. Early signs pose little discomfort and are usually ignored. Still, when left untreated, cataracts can lead to vision impairment and blindness. To prevent serious complications, it is important for you to understand what cataract is, spot its symptoms early on, know the risk factors, understand the different treatment options, and when to schedule a consultation with an eye specialist.
Cataract: Symptoms and Risk Factors
Cataract is a progressive eye condition characterised by cloudiness in the lens of the eye. The cataract results from the breakdown and clumping of proteins in the lens. When the lens gets cloudy, light that enters the eye cannot reach the retina properly, causing blurred vision.
Cataract progresses in stages. At first, the lens is still clear but you may have decreased ability refocusing sight. You may also find that you are more sensitive to light and more prone to eye strain. At the second stage, the lens becomes more opaque and causes blurred, dimmed, or double vision. When the cataract matures, the lens turns almost completely white or amber, causing more severe vision problems that affect your daily functioning. If still untreated, the cataract becomes hypermature and may lead to loss of vision.
The risk of developing cataract increases with age. The risk is also higher if you have a family history of cataracts or have chronic diseases such as diabetes. Other risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Spending a lot of time in the sun
- Eye injury or previous eye surgery
- Radiation treatment for cancer or other illnesses
- Long-term use of steroids for health problems like allergies or arthritis
Most people have cataracts in both eyes, but it is also possible to have it on only one eye. While the most common symptom of cataract is cloudy vision, there are other signs that may indicate cataract development:
- Obscured vision
- Double vision
- Poor night vision
- Changes in how colours appear
- Appearance of halo around lights
- Glare from sunlight, lamps, and headlights seems too bright
- Frequent change in prescription for eyeglasses
As the condition matures, the patient experiences increasingly blurred and obscured vision. When left untreated, it impairs vision, limits functioning, and negatively affects one’s quality of life. Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected through surgical interventions. An ophthalmology Singapore clinic may have the right equipment and specialists to assess your condition.
The Importance of Early Detection
Although cataract is a common eye ailment, there are many people who have cataract but do not even know it. This is because early symptoms only cause minor discomfort and are not even noticeable at times.
Still, it is important to have your eye diagnosed when you experience any symptom related to cataracts. It is, after all, one of the leading causes of blindness associated with ageing. According to the World Health Organisation, there are about 65.2 million cataract cases with vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. This despite cataract being a treatable condition.
To prevent blindness and other more serious vision problems, get regular eye health screenings for early detection of cataracts. See a Singapore eye specialist if there are visual symptoms that indicate the condition. At early stages, using stronger bifocals or changing prescription glasses can help improve vision. However, the surgical removal of cataract is typically recommended for better visual acuity.
Types of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery involves the removal of the opaque lens and its replacement with intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure is usually done under local anaesthesia and does not require hospitalisation. If you have other pre-existing diseases though, you may need to be hospitalised for a day or two for better monitoring.
Traditional cataract surgeries are done through phacoemulsification or extracapsular extraction. More advanced equipment and modern techniques are used for laser-assisted surgeries.
Phacoemulsification or ultrasonic cataract removal
In phacoemulsification, a small incision about 3-mm long is made on the cornea. An ultrasound probe is inserted, and sound vibrations are used to break down the cataract. The pieces of broken lens are gently vacuumed out and the lens is replaced with IOL. The procedure takes around 20 to 30 minutes and requires no sutures to close the incision.
Extracapsular cataract extraction
If the cataract is dense or hard, an extracapsular extraction is advised. The process is similar, but the incision and surgery time is longer. Here, the corneal incision is about 8-mm long. The opaque lens is removed and the IOL inserted into the capsule. The incision is closed using sutures. The entire process takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
Laser-assisted cataract surgery
Many cataract surgeries today are done using high-tech equipment. 3D imaging is used to map the eye and the cataract. The data is run through a computer to determine the exact location and size of the cataract. This will determine the depth and site of incision. Instead of a scalpel, surgeons use lasers to make an incision on the cornea and breakdown the cataract. The lens pieces are suctioned out and the IOL implanted.
With laser-assisted cataract surgery, incisions are done more precisely and IOLs are better centred. The procedure requires no suturing and can correct astigmatism too.
Recovery Period
Most patients experience improved vision within one to two days after surgery. Vision becomes more stable one week after phacoemulsification and one month after extracapsular extraction. However, prescription eye drops and special eye shields may still be recommended for use until the eye heals completely. Often, this takes about eight to twelve weeks after the procedure is done. Your surgeon will schedule regular check-ups to monitor your eye health.
Potential Complications
Like all surgical procedures, there is always a risk of swelling, bleeding, and infections. For cataract surgeries, other possible complications include retinal detachment, IOL dislocation, corneal decompensation, capsule rapture, and persistent inflammation. They do sound scary but are, fortunately, very rare occurrences. Cataract surgery has very high success rates and good outcomes.
Cataract Surgery Cost Singapore
The cost of cataract surgery in Singapore varies depending on the type of surgery, the expertise of the surgeon, and the health facility the surgery will be done. The chart below shows estimates based on the fee benchmarks and bill amount information from the Ministry of Health.
| Unilateral | With Laser | |
| Subsidised Public Hospitals/Centres | ~ $1,000 to $2,000 | ~ $300 |
| Unsubsidised Public Hospitals/Centres | ~ $4,000 to $5,500 | ~ $1,100 |
| Private Hospitals/Clinics (Inpatient) | ~ $9,000 to $12,100
(Median: $10,385) |
N/A |
| Private Hospitals/Clinics (Day Surgery) | ~ $6,000 to $ 9,000
(Median: 7,565) |
~ $1,500 to $2,300
(Median: $1,934) |
Unsubsidised Public Hospitals/Centres
Unilateral
$1,000 to $2,000
With Laser
$300
Unsubsidised Public Hospitals/Centres
Unilateral
$4,000 to $5,500
With Laser
$1,100
Private Hospitals/Clinics (Inpatient)
Unilateral
$9,000 to $12,100
(Median: $10,385)
With Laser
N/A
Private Hospitals/Clinics (Day Surgery)
Unilateral
$6,000 to $ 9,000
(Median: 7,565)
With Laser
$1,500 to $2,300
(Median: $1,934)
These fees are estimates from recorded transactions in public and private hospitals, centres, and clinics. They include the operation fee, cost of implant, and other fees. The costs are also before insurance and other medical claims, so your total cost may be lower.
Enjoy seeing the beauty of life longer
Getting cataracts is common as we age. But when left untreated, it can affect our productivity at work, interaction with other people, and day-to-day functioning. Worse, it can increase our risks of falls and accidents. Fortunately, it is easily treatable today through cataract surgery.
When done in a reputable eye specialist clinic Singapore has accredited, the procedure is generally safe and success rates are high. Aside from giving you better eyesight, undergoing cataract surgery helps you maintain a good quality of life. You can see clearly and live life more fully. So, if you have any of the symptoms, schedule a consultation with an eye specialist doctor for early diagnosis and treatment.
