삼송동안과 노안 백내장 수술, 증상부터 수술 후 관리까지
Hello, this is Goyang Shinsegae Eye Clinic.
Around the mid-40s, many people begin to notice that text messages on their phones or print in books no longer appear as clear as they once did.
At first, it may be easy to attribute these changes to simple eye fatigue or temporary changes in physical condition.
However, if you need to hold your phone farther away than before to read clearly, or if your eyes take longer to refocus when switching between near and distant objects, it may be worth checking for presbyopia.
- Why Does Presbyopia Occur?
Presbyopia is an age-related condition in which the eye gradually loses its ability to focus clearly on nearby objects.
The crystalline lens inside the eye plays an important role in adjusting the eye’s focusing power when looking at objects at different distances.
When we are young, the lens is flexible and the eye has sufficient accommodative ability, allowing it to change focus relatively quickly.
However, as we age, the lens gradually becomes less flexible, and the structures involved in accommodation also undergo age-related changes.
As a result, the ability to focus on nearby objects decreases.
This may make small print more difficult to read and may cause people to hold books or smartphones farther away in order to see them more clearly.
- What Symptoms Can Occur with Presbyopia?
Common changes associated with presbyopia may include the following:
✔ Small print at close range appears blurry.
✔ You need to hold books or smartphones farther away than before to read comfortably.
✔ It may take longer for your eyes to refocus when switching between near and distant objects.
✔ Prolonged reading or computer work may increase eye fatigue.
✔ Extended near work may cause eye strain or headaches.
These changes are different from simply experiencing a decline in overall visual acuity.
The key feature of presbyopia is an age-related decline in the eye’s ability to accommodate for near vision. Therefore, both the patient’s symptoms and refractive status should be evaluated together.
- What Is the Difference Between Presbyopia and Cataracts?
Presbyopia and cataracts both become more common with age, but their causes and main symptoms are different.
Presbyopia occurs as the eye’s accommodative ability gradually decreases with age.
Typical symptoms include difficulty reading small print at close range and discomfort during near-vision tasks.
A cataract, on the other hand, occurs when the normally clear crystalline lens becomes cloudy.
Depending on the location and severity of the lens opacity, cataracts may cause blurred vision, glare, halos around lights, and reduced contrast sensitivity.
In some cases, changing the prescription of glasses may no longer provide the same level of visual clarity as before.
Therefore, if difficulty reading at close range is accompanied by persistent blurred vision, glare, or other changes in overall visual quality, it is advisable to undergo an ophthalmic examination to determine whether cataracts are also present rather than assuming that presbyopia is the only cause.
- What Is Presbyopia-Correcting Cataract Surgery with Multifocal Lenses?
Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL.
A conventional monofocal IOL is designed to provide clear vision at a specific focal distance.
For example, if the surgery is planned to optimize distance vision, reading glasses or other near-vision correction may still be necessary after surgery.
Multifocal or extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOLs used in presbyopia-correcting cataract surgery are designed, depending on their optical characteristics, to reduce dependence on glasses for distance as well as intermediate and/or near vision.
However, multifocal IOLs are not suitable for every patient.
The condition of the cornea, retina, macula, and optic nerve should be evaluated, along with any pre-existing eye conditions and the degree of astigmatism.
A patient’s lifestyle should also be taken into consideration, including the distances most frequently used in daily life, occupational needs, and driving habits.
In addition, depending on the type of multifocal IOL, some patients may experience nighttime halos, glare, or changes in contrast sensitivity.
Therefore, the decision should not be based solely on improving near vision. It is important to understand the characteristics, expected benefits, and potential limitations of each lens before selecting an appropriate option.
- How Is Cataract Surgery Performed?
Cataract surgery is generally performed under topical anesthesia using anesthetic eye drops and through a small corneal incision.
A small incision, typically approximately 2 to 2.8 mm, is made in the cornea to access the lens capsule.
The cloudy lens material is then broken into small pieces and removed using phacoemulsification, an ultrasound-based technique.
After the natural lens has been removed, an intraocular lens with a power calculated specifically for the patient’s eye is implanted in its place.
- How Should You Care for Your Eyes After Surgery?
Prescribed eye drops should be used according to the dosage and schedule provided by your ophthalmologist.
During the recovery period, avoid rubbing or applying pressure to the eye.
Immediately after surgery, strenuous exercise, swimming, saunas, and other activities that may irritate the eye or increase the risk of infection should be avoided.
It is also important to attend scheduled follow-up examinations so that the healing process and visual recovery can be properly monitored.