As people age, proteins in the eye’s lens break down and clump together, losing its transparency. A cataract occurs when the normally clear lens becomes hazy, preventing sufficient light from entering the eye. This reduction in light results in blurred or hazy vision, making everyday tasks like night driving or reading subtitles more challenging.
Most cataracts develop gradually and can affect one or both eyes. In fact, they are the most common reversible cause of blindness in older adults. In Singapore, over 80% of people aged 60 and above have visually significant cataracts.
If you have symptoms like cloudy or blurry vision and increased sensitivity to light, it may be time for a cataract assessment. At Lumin Eye Specialists, we provide comprehensive cataract assessment and surgery to restore your vision and enhance your quality of life.
Blurred or hazy sight due to lens opacity
Bright lights appear more intense or have rings around them
Objects may appear distorted or duplicated
Reduced light reaching the retina makes it hard to see in the dark
Colours may look dull or less vibrant
call +65 6266 2088 to schedule a consultation with our cataract surgeon for thorough evaluation today.
Cataract assessment may involve any of the following
After a thorough eye examination, your doctor will discuss the findings with you and recommend the most appropriate course of action.
If cataracts are detected, the doctor will explain their severity and how they may impact your vision over time.
The choice of when to do surgery usually depends on your visual requirements e.g. airline pilots will need earlier surgery to maintain perfect vision, and your systemic health.e.g. some patients may require some further tests if they need genera anaesthesia.
Cataract surgery is often the most effective treatment to restore vision. Your specialist will then go over the risks and benefits, helping you make an informed decision.
Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens inside the eye and replaces it with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), to correct vision loss.
Surgery is performed through a tiny incision less than 3mm in diameter and ultrasound or even a femtosecond laser is used to liquify the cataract. After the cataract is removed, we implant an artificial lens that is made of acrylic that can correct for astigmatism or even provide multiple foci to decrease the need for reading glasses. The lenses we use have UV filters and in some cases blue light filters to protect the retina.
Your eye doctor may recommend cataract removal surgery when vision loss has interfered with daily activities like reading or driving at night. Surgery is also advised when corrective measures like glasses no longer improve vision. We aim to correct all refractive error in both eyes and give as much spectacle independence post-operatively as possible.
At Lumin Eye Specialists, cataract surgery is done as a day procedure. With an experienced cataract surgeon, the procedure has a high success rate (more than 99%), leading to improved vision and a better quality of life for patients.
Moreover, we perform surgery under sedation or even general anaesthesia if required so there is no pain or anxiety. We aim for both a safe and reliable outcome.
We also give a comprehensive financial counselling with estimated charges in an itemised form. All our surgeries are medisave claimable and this is based on the MOH TOSP codes for your surgery type.
After cataract surgery, patients may notice changes in their vision as the eyes heal and adjust, but this improves within a few days. You must continue wearing a protective shield at night before sleeping and taking prescribed medications and eye drops to prevent infection and irritation.
It is important not to rub the eyes and to keep the operated eye dry and clean during recovery. Some patients may opt to book an appointment with their hairdressers to have their hair washed during the first week.
Depending on the type of occupation, most patients can resume work the week following surgery, although it will take around a month for their vision to fully stabilise.
Please refrain from driving until our doctors give you the green light as some people may take up to 48 hours to recover from the sedation and this impairs their reaction time on the road.
Attend follow-up consultations with your cataract surgeon as advised to ensure you are recovering properly as intended.
Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures with a risk of complications in 1:1000 patients
The cost of cataract surgery in Singapore varies based on:
The average cost is between $5000 and $10,000 depending on the factors listed above. MediSave can be used to cover a portion of this cost and private insurance may provide additional coverage. Medisave coverage for Table 4A (most common code for cataract surgery) is $2450 per eye.
Consult Lumin Eye Specialists for detailed cost estimates and financing options.
For a detailed eye assessment or personalised recommendations on treatment, reach out to us – We look forward to bringing back the light into your life.
Bus services (bus stop 13019): 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174, 174E
For more information on shuttle services and parking, please refer to this link (https://www.gleneagles.com.sg/plan-your-visit/getting-here).
