Managing Cataract - Doctor Q&A

Cataract is a condition where the natural lens in the eye becomes progressively cloudy.

It (cataract) affects your vision and making it difficult for you to go about performing your daily activities. Most forms of cataract develop in adult life, causing the lens to harden and become cloudy as you age.

Although most cataracts are age-related, there are other types which include congenital (present at birth), drug induced (steroids), and traumatic (injury to the eye).

Cataract is also more common in people who have certain other conditions such as diabetes (see this article), which tend to occur at an earlier age than those without the disease.

While cataract cannot be prevented, it can be treated by a surgical procedure commonly known as phacoemulsification, where the cloudy cataract lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant. 

If the amount of cataract is little and does not disturb your vision or your daily activities (e.g. driving or reading), it can be left alone. Eyeglasses may help at this stage to allow you to see better. If using eyeglasses does not help, and the cataract interferes your vision, your eye doctor may suggest doing a cataract surgery.

In this month's 'Ask the Specialist' Q&A, Dr Yap Guan Hui answers your questions on the causes, symptoms and treatment for cataract. Submit your questions now!

Dr Yap Guan Hui is an Consultant with the Cataract & Comprehensive Ophthalmology Department at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC).

He obtained his Medical Degree from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 2014 and obtained his post-graduate Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology in 2021. In 2023, he attained his Ophthalmology Specialist accreditation and was admitted as a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore.

He is also a fellow at the Cataract and Comprehensive Department under the Advanced Clinical Specialist Programme.

His interest and expertise are in Cataract Surgery and also practices general and comprehensive ophthalmology, dealing with floaters and flashes, dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma screening.

Dr Yap has published scientific papers in peer-reviewed medical journals and has presented his research work in local and international conferences.

Dr Yap also regularly volunteers at community eye screening projects. These projects screen for cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy for the elderly in various nursing homes and Senior Activity Centres.

Ref: F26