Cataract Awareness for Cataract Awareness Month.

Friday, June 26th, 2020, 6:00:00 PM

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Hosted By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Ask Dr Harold Choi about:

Some questions you can ask are:

  • What are cataracts?
  • Can cataracts be taken out non-surgically?
  • What are the alternatives to cataract surgery?

Questions 10

What's the most important advice doctors can give to someone with cataracts?

See an eye doctor that you trust and get an honest opinion from them, whether or not it's affecting the eye. If the doctor is honest and cares about you they will give you a decision whether or not it needs treatment. Because most patients with cataracts actually don't need treatment because it is not affecting their eyes or vision.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

How do I prevent cataracts from getting worse?

There are some products like eye drops out there, various brands made of antioxidants that reduce the chance of cataract progression. I don't routinely prescribe these, as quite frankly I don't find them effective, there is nothing much you can do from apart from general measures avoiding trauma or rubbing, wear sunglasses if you do a lot of outdoor activity.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Does propolis prevent cataracts?

No, not to my knowledge.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

What measures can I take to prevent cataracts from developing?

Aside from no eye rubbing, don’t get trauma. Stay away from children if they are plating, don’t let them punch your eye. Some studies have shown that excessive sunlight exposure might be related to cataracts so wearing sunglasses is a cheap and logical solution to that, in preventing cataracts. Apart from that, if you are on chronic steroid, talk to your doctor to see if you are able to avoid steroids to avoid steroid-induced cataracts. If you have an active ocular inflammation one should seek treatment early to reduce the chance of uveitic cataract.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Are there any activities I should avoid or dietary requirements I should adopt after cataract surgery?

No dietary restrictions. Activities wise, I think one should refrain from any activity that involves pressing on the eye for sure, definitely no eye rubbing. Usually I advise patients not to have vigorous exercise, but one can take a walk or have some very gentle exercise, I think that's not restricted.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

How long will it take before I regain full vision after cataract surgery?

Most patients get full vision within one month.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Will I get a perfect vision after cataract surgery?

Yes, many patients do. One of the most common side effects is the patient still has a bit of degree or astigmatism, so seeking perfection is usually a futile exercise. But it's very common to have patients with almost perfect vision even without glasses and just require that tiny little bit of glasses power.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Are there further procedures required after cataract surgery?

Yes, that's a good question. Some people get some fibrosis of the capsule, the layer behind the lens, after cataract surgery. Over time, they get this fibrosis and makes vision less clear, requiring something called YAG laser to just create a hole in that capsule only if patients experience it. It varies, some patients never get it, depending on the patient.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

What are the main disadvantages of multifocal lenses over monofocal lenses?

That's a good question and there is an ongoing discussion and it's important to decide. With multifocal lenses, the key benefit is allowing the patient to see both far and near through the same eye. In other words, with the same eye, you can see far and if you bring your handphone up close, you can see near as well, so that's the key advantage to the multifocal lens. There are two disadvantages of a multifocal lens. First is the cost, they are about 3-4 times more costly. Secondly, most multifocal lenses have a low design and that causes a lot of glares, halos and effect.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

Can I do LASIK after cataract surgery on the same day?

No. However, if you are talking about different eyes, then yes. Some patients have a cataract in one eye and short-sightedness in the other eye. You can do cataract surgery in one eye, what we call Anisometropia and then if you want to do LASIK in the other eye, that's ok.

Photo of Dr Harold Choi

Answered By

Dr Harold Choi

Ophthalmologist

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