Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat cataracts that are affecting your vision. It is the most common surgery performed at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC).  

What is Cataract? 

Cataract is a condition when the natural lens in your eye becomes progressively cloudy. Aging is the commonest cause of cataract.

Normal Vision

Vision with Cataract

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• Cloudy or blurry vision
• Poor night vision
• Colours seem faded
• Glare and haloes
• Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses (“power” keeps changing)
  

These symptoms can also be a sign of other eye problems. If you have any of these symptoms, check with your ophthalmologist.

There is no scientifically proven prevention. However, you can delay early onset cataracts with the following:

• Protecting your eyes from ultra-violet (UV) light by wearing sunglasses
• Eating a balanced diet
• Treating diseases such as diabetes
• Refraining from smoking
  

What causes Cataract?

The most common cause of cataract is ageing.

The two preventable causes of cataract formation would be:

• Smoking
• UV radiation (sunlight) exposure

Cataract can also occur at a younger age if you:

• Have poorly controlled diabetes
• Take certain types of medication such as corticosteroid, etc.
• Are born with it (congenital) Experienced previous trauma to the eye

What are the risks of cataract surgery?

As with any surgery, cataract surgery poses risks such as infection and bleeding. Before cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist may ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.

A possible complication that can occur during surgery is the rupture of the lens capsule (“bag”) that supports the lens. As a result of this complication, the artificial lens implant may have to be placed in a suitable alternative position, different from the original intended position. This may be performed during the same surgery or arranged as a separate operation.

Possible complications that may arise after cataract surgery include:

• Infection (Endophthalmitis)
• Inflammation
  
• Retinal detachment
• High eye pressure for a few days
• Leaking wound which may require stitching
• Cloudiness of the cornea
• Swelling of the retina
• Sensitivity to eye drops
• Displacement of the lens implant
• Droopy eyelids
  

Cataract is detected through a comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist.

How is cataract surgery performed?

In cataract surgery, the cloudy cataractous lens is removed and then replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. The most common technique used in cataract surgery is phacoemulsification. 

• The duration of cataract surgery usually takes about 30 minutes to complete in routine cases.
• This is a day surgery procedure and you will not be required to stay in hospital.
• You are required to come back for a follow up visit the next day.
• An anaesthetist will be with you during surgery to provide sedation to make you  feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible. Depending on the individual,  you may not be totally asleep during surgery, however you will remain comfortable and will not be able to witness the ongoing surgery. Anaesthetic eye drops and/or injections will be given to help minimise the discomfort. It is important to cooperate by not talking or moving your head and body during the surgery.

Download Cataract Surgery Leaflet

Download Cataract Patient Guide (English)

Download Cataract Patient Guide (Chinese)