If you have cataracts, you can always get along very well with glasses or contact lenses. In fact, you may only want to consider an alternative cataract treatment option in Singapore if you’ve developed poor eyesight that significantly impacts your daily life and hinders tasks like reading or driving, even with corrective lenses.
Post-treatment, you should be able to experience improved vision. Now, we created this guide to answer the question; what is the best treatment for cataracts? We will also answer the frequently, asked question; how do you stop cataracts from growing? So, read on for an expert look into the issues that may be bugging you if you or a loved one is living with the condition and actively, contemplating cataract treatment in Singapore.
What is the Best Treatment for Cataracts?
If you’re seeing an eye specialist for what is believed to be cataracts, you will need a thorough eye examination to confirm the issue. If it’s suspected that what you have is cataracts, the eye specialist will keenly inspect your eyes for cataract indicators and gauge their extent.
Also, they may inquire about your vision, medical background, and if daily tasks are challenging due to diminished eyesight. Now, if you’ve already been diagnosed with cataracts or wondering; what next after cataract diagnosis, you may want to ask; what is the best cataract treatment?
The answer is surgery. Cataract surgery is the only way to get rid of the cloudy lens and restore your vision. During the procedure, a skilled ophthalmologist will carefully remove the clouded lens and then replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL).
This artificial lens not only mimics the clarity of your natural lens. It also has the potential to correct refractive errors. And the result? Improved vision and potentially less dependence on glasses or contacts.
You can trust a skilled eye care provider to help you choose the best lens for your unique needs.
Now that you understand that surgery is the best option for cataract treatment in Singapore especially if you’re keen on restoring your vision effectively, you may wonder; what is the recovery like after cataract surgery?
More on that later, cataract surgery is widely regarded as safe, with high success rates and a low risk of complications. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks involved.
These can include retinal detachment and infection, although these are rare. So, it’s important that you discuss your individual risk factors with your healthcare provider before surgery.
This is particularly important if you have other eye conditions or medical issues. A skilled ophthalmologist can assess your risk level and discuss how any potential complications would be managed.
Rest assured, cataract surgery is generally considered safe and can significantly improve your vision and quality of life. Now to answer the question; what is the recovery like after cataract surgery, here’s what you need to know;
After cataract surgery, you may experience mild pain and discomfort. These are quite common, but you can expect a skilled ophthalmologist to prescribe pain relievers for the first few days.
Full recovery typically takes four to eight weeks. But you should notice vision improvement a little earlier than this.
You can count on a skilled ophthalmologist to advise you accordingly when it’s safe to resume normal activities. During recovery, be sure to attend follow-up appointments as recommended by the ophthalmologist.
And even more important, please adhere to post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and vision outcomes. Please inform your provider if you experience severe pain, sudden vision changes, or other concerning symptoms.
How do you Stop Cataracts from Growing?
For those who visit our clinic for cataract treatment in Singapore, one of the frequently asked questions we have had to address most of the time is; how do you stop cataracts from growing? Here are five tips you may find helpful if you have the same concern but are still in the early stages of cataract formation;
i. Observe a Healthy Diet
The first thing you will want to observe if diagnosed with cataracts is to observe a healthy diet. A healthy diet in this case is one that is rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamins C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Also, include colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish in your diet. Conversely, limit consumption of high-carbohydrate foods, as they may accelerate cataract progression.
ii. UV Protection
UV rays can accelerate the breakdown of proteins in the eye’s lens. This can lead to the formation of cataracts. And, even though cataracts are a natural part of aging, UV exposure can speed up their development.
So, it is best that you protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Also, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection, especially during peak sunlight hours.
iii. Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
To begin with, smoking has been linked to an increased risk of cataracts. So, quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk.
It will also do your overall health good. On the same note, excessive alcohol consumption can accelerate cataract development. So, if you drink alcohol, be sure to moderate your intake.
iv. Regular Eye Exams
Typically, eye exams involve a series of tests to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. These tests may include visual acuity tests, refraction assessments, eye muscle movement tests, and examinations of the retina and optic nerve.
Your eye doctor will determine the specific tests needed based on your age, health, and any symptoms you may have. It is important that you get regular eye exams as they can help detect cataracts early when they are easier to treat. Your eye doctor can also advise you on important lifestyle changes and preventive measures to reduce your risk.
v. Medication Review
Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can accelerate cataract development. So, you may want to check with your eye doctor if you are taking medications that may increase your risk for cataracts.
If that is the case, discuss alternatives with the specialist. Also, be aware of the potential side effects of your medications and take steps to mitigate them.
It’s a Wrap
There are several options for cataract treatment in Singapore depending on how advanced your cataracts is. However, surgery is usually preferred for removing the cloudy lens and restoring vision. Check with your eye doctor to be sure.
Having completed my Bachelor’s degree in medicine and currently pursuing a house job at a well reputed hospital in California, I decided to utilize my spare time in sharing knowledge with others through my blog. Apart from my time spent in the medical field, I love to read fiction novels and go on long drives.
