Are There Any Risks Associated with Laser Cataract Surgery in Singapore

Are There Any Risks Associated with Laser Cataract Surgery in Singapore?

Understanding Cataracts

Cataracts refer to opacities found in the eye’s natural lens, which could impair one’s vision seriously. They hamper the quality of vision and encroach upon daily activities such as reading, driving, and even identifying people’s faces. The eye lens becomes opaque so that it impairs the quality of vision-it may start with some blurriness up to complete blindness in the suffering eye.

Medical Conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity play a role in causing cataracts faster. Other eye conditions, like glaucoma or myopia, also contribute to causing cataracts.
Lifestyle Factors: Overexposure to the sun, smoking, and excess alcohol consumption increase the risk of cataracts.
Genetic Predisposition: Those individuals who have known family history of cataracts are more prone to the condition.

Almost all people will develop cataracts if they are lived long enough since it is the leading cause of vision loss in the world. However, early warning signs can be impaired such as night blindness, light sensitivity, seeing lights in glowing circles around lights, fading of colours and even double vision in one eye. All of these symptoms eventually worsen to produce a significant loss of vision. Understanding risk factors and symptoms of cataract is as essential for early detection and treatment control as detecting cataracts at the early stage during routine eye exams that would allow measures of treatment, such as laser cataract surgery before it fully affects vision.

Advancements in Cataract Surgery

At Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre, we aim to have it more than just removing the cataracts. We try to give our patients good unaided vision post operatively without the need for glasses or other aids.

The Journey to Good Unaided Vision

Achieving optimal vision without glasses after cataract surgery involves meticulous preoperative planning:

Consultation and Assessment: The initial visit will involve a full eye check-up where your pupils will be dilated to determine the thickness and compactness of the cataract. The above procedure enables selection of the most appropriate equipment and strategy for approaching the surgery in your case. Other eye diseases, including glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, will be assessed.
Biometry: Precise measurements of the length of your eye and curvatures of the cornea are made so that the best intraocular lens implant may be chosen.
Surgical Planning: Once your eye is evaluated and measured, a customised surgical plan is created for you.

Types of Intraocular Lens Implants

There are several types of IOLs available, each designed to meet different visual needs:

Monofocal IOLs: These lenses provide clear vision at one distance, typically far, requiring glasses for reading.
Toric IOLs: Designed to correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism, these lenses improve vision quality without glasses.
Multifocal IOLs: These offer multiple vision ranges, from near to far. In most cases, the patient no longer needs glasses.

The Evolution of Cataract Surgery Techniques

Modern cataract surgery is mostly performed through phacoemulsification. The ultrasound in this process breaks up the cataract. The lens with broken cataract is then suctioned out or pulled out by a cannula-needle through a minimal incision. Over the years, this procedure has been perfected to minimise complications and improve results.

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)

A new developing stage in cataract surgery is the Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS). It differs from conventional surgery because it uses a laser to perform some of the most significant steps, such as incisions, anterior opening of the cataract capsule, and lensectomy or breaking the cataract. This ensures higher accuracy and safety for better visual outcomes.

Potential Risks of Laser Cataract Surgery

While laser cataract surgery is generally safe and effective, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications:

Infection: This is quite rare but can be a coincidence of laser cataract surgery due to surgery at the site. Redness, swelling, and pain usually occur, and possibly immediate antibiotic treatment can prevent further complications and ensure healing properly.
Inflammation: The general reaction of the body to surgery is postoperative inflammation, which typically presents as redness, swelling, and inflammation of the operated eye. This is typically treated by prescribed anti-inflammatory eye drops that also help ease inflammation and healing of the body.
Capsular Rupture: During the surgery, splits in the lens capsule can occur. This may delay the process and prolong recovery. Capsular rupture may necessitate additional surgical interventions to correct the issue and position intraocular lenses properly.
Intraocular Pressure Increase: There could be an increase in intraocular pressure, which can cause discomfort to the patient and might result in damage to the optic nerve if not treated on time. Regular follow-up may be necessary in order to treat the increased intraocular pressure and try to prevent further complications.
Retinal Detachment: Although rare, retinal detachment is a serious process in which the retina separates from the underlying tissue. This condition always needs urgent medical attention and may call for surgical interventions for the reattachment of the retina to preserve vision.
Glare and Halos: Many patients complain of visual disturbances such as glare or halos around lights after being fitted with multifocal lenses. This may be more obvious at night or during dim lighting and can compromise activities such as driving.

Postoperative Care and Recovery

Post-operatively, your eye may be a bit uncomfortable as the anaesthesia wears off, but it is rarely painful. For one to two nights, you will have to wear an eye shield and use eye drops to help prevent infection and inflammation. The vision usually takes about three weeks to return to optimal, at which time your prescription for glasses can be checked.

Conclusion

Laser cataract surgery offers a high degree of precision and improved outcomes for patients. At Dr Natasha Lim Eye Centre, we are committed to providing personalised care to ensure the best possible vision for our patients. While there are risks associated with the procedure, these are generally rare and manageable with proper medical care.