Worried about elderly eye-related problems such as cataract and glaucoma? Dr Mohamad Rosman Bin Othman, Senior Consultant at Singapore National Eye Centre, gives detailed answers to your questions.
Eye disorders among the elderly are a major health concern, as this could affect their ability to enjoy life to their fullest in their later years.
The main eye problems that pose the greatest threat to vision after age 50 include: Cataract, Glaucoma, Age-related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy.
Knowing more about these common eye conditions, and thus adopting proper eye care can keep your eyes healthy as you age.
Dr Mohamad Rosman Bin Othman, Senior Consultant from the General Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Department at Singapore National Eye Centre, gives detailed answers to your questions.
Question by joanne_ywc
I went for a eye check and a event for above 50 yrs old at SNEC and was told that glaucoma was suspected. I went through eye pressure tests and vision field test and the specialist did not found anything but i was scheduled for yearly review. For my case where it is just suspected, will there be any treatment needed?
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
In patients who are glaucoma suspects, no treatment is required. However, it is advisable that you return for the yearly review to rule out the development of glaucoma with time.
Question by lsusan05
Hi. My mum went for cataract operation last year and when i went with her for the review, i was told that there was a piece of lint(cloth) left inside. Will this affect her eyesight and since they know it is there, is it the usual practice not to remove it? Thanks
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
A piece of lint left in a patient's eye after cataract surgery, in general, will not affect the patient's eyesight. We do not remove the lint if the eye was observed to be normal a few days after the cataract surgery.
Question by low63888
Dear Doctor
I am 55 yrs old, female. I have thyroid problem (taking 10 mg of carbimazole daily) and have floaters. About 3 months ago, i started to have "blurred" vision that I have problem reading. The words and letters seemed "blurred" and i also cannot see things clearly.
The blurred vision lasted for a while then my vision is OK (meaning i can see and read quite clearly) and after a while it will be blurred again.
Doctor, what is wrong with my eyes and any treatment for the blurred vision. Could the blurred vision be due to cataract?
Thank you.
Mary Lee
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
Base on your symptoms and age, there are 2 most likely causes for your intermittent blurring of vision. One likely cause is dry eyes, which is more common in patients with thyroid diseases and females around your age group. Dry eyes cause episodes of blurring of vision which gets better after blinking. Artificial eye drops may help reduce the symptoms of dry eyes.
The other likely cause is presbyopia or “lao hua”. Presbyopia is an age-related condition which results in difficulty focusing for near. Hence, resulting in blurring during reading. It usually starts after a person is 40 years old and progressively gets worse. This condition can easily be corrected by wearing appropriate reading glasses.
However, if your condition persists, it is advisable that you see an ophthalmologist to exclude other causes of blurring of vision.
Question by health3888
I noticed a transparent jelly-like 'object' on the cornea of my right eye -- it's been there quite quite a while already (around 2 years +, I think). It's not painful but I noticed that when my eyes are tired or dry, the area around the jelly-like 'object' tends to become reddish (like blood vessels). I mentioend this to a friend who said it may be caused by UV sun damage as she seems to have the same problem (I didn't get to see her 'problem' as she was an overseas good friend who was trying to describe to me her condition). Please advise what this 'object' could be and is it harmful or what treatment should i seek. Thank You!
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
Base on your description, it is likely that you have a pinguecula. This is a degenerative condition affecting the conjunctiva. A pinguecula may occasionally become inflamed resulting in a redness appearance. No surgical treatment is required for pinguecula although the use of artificial tears may reduce the frequency of inflammation.
Question by health3888
My husband has complained about periodic blurred vision in his left eye for quite a few months already. He says that sometimes it's blurr (like there's a layer covering the eye, but sometimes the blurr-ness is not there). Is this an early sign of cataract or something. My husband wears glasses and the degree is around 250. Thank You.
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
It is possible that he may have early cataracts. Some types of cataracts may result in blurring of vision in bright lights while other types result in blurring of vision at night.
However, it is advisable that your husband see an ophthalmologist to determine the cause of his blurring of vision.
Question by vericheem
When I went to have an eye check, I was told that I have mild cataract. However, since it is not "ripe", there is no need to do anything. I am still a bit bewildered by this kind of answer.
- What is meant by not "ripe"?
- What will cause it to "ripe"?
- Is "ripening" an inevitable phenomenon?
- Will the wearing of sunshades help to prolong the ripening process?
Thank you.
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
Cataracts is an age-related condition. It is the progressive opacification of the natural lens of the eye. In the early stage of cataract formation, the function of the eye may not be affected.
In general, we do not operate on cataracts if it does not affect the patient’s vision. I believe this is what the eyecare specialist meant when he said that your cataract is not “ripe”. Worsening of the cataract is inevitable as it is an age-related condition.
It is not proven that wearing of sunshades will slow down the process of cataract progression.
Question by healthblur
Is it good enough to have my eyes checked by the optician, or must I see and Opthalmologist once I turn 50 years old and above? What's the difference please. Also, how often should I get my eyes checked, and for what?
Thanks
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
It is advisable that everybody above the age of 40 years go for an eye screening once every one or 2 years.
Eye screening is necessary to exclude the presence of common eye conditions like refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma and other conditions which may result in reduced vision.
Most opticians or optometrists can perform eye screenings. However, once someone is suspected to have an eye condition, he should be examined by an ophthalmologist who is able to perform a detailed eye examination to assess his condition and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Question by chewenggoh
My mum, age 77, has complained that her vision is not very clear. I brought her to see an optician who said that prescribing her eye glasses won't help. Is it true that hers is an age-related problem and nothing we can do to help her see properly. I am worried that she will become blind in time to come.
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
There many possible causes of blurring of vision in someone in your mother’s age group. Unfortunately, I am unable to comment on the likely cause with the information provided. It is recommended that she sees an ophthalmologist to assess her condition.
Question by sieweng55
Dear Doctor,
As we know, prevention is better than cure. Is it possible for you to share with us some eye care tips and how do we maintain healthy eyes.
Thanks.
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
Many eye conditions are not detected until they have reached an advanced stage. By this time, the treatment options may be limited.
Hence, it is advisable that everyone above the age of 40 years go for eye screenings by an eyecare specialist once every 1 or 2 years. Such eye screenings will detect early onset of most age-related eye conditions and enable earlier treatment.
Question by lee
Is it true that once you have cataract surgery, your vision is very clear, and you can see both far and near?
If that's the case, then can I opt to go for this surgery even though by cataract is not yet 'ripe"? What's the risk and downside, aside from the cost? Why should anyone wait till the cataract is 'ripe' first?
Doesn't this actually potentially save me from multiple surgeries in the future?
Also, can wearing sunglasses effectively prevent me frm getting catarcts, or is it a foregone conclusion - everyone gets cataracts?
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
This is only true if you have opted to implant a multifocal intraocular lens during cataract surgery. This is a special type of intraocular lens which will enable a patient to see both near and far without spectacles after cataract surgery.
With current technology, we do not wait for a patient’s cataract to be “ripe”. A “ripe” cataract implies that the cataract is very dense and the patient’s vision is severely affected. Cataract surgery can be performed once the cataract affects your vision. The risks and downsides of implanting a multifocal intraocular lens, compared to a normal monofocal intraocular lens, vary from patient to patient and also depending on the type of multifocal intraocular lens.
It is best that you discuss with your ophthalmologist on the potential risks and side effects of multifocal intraocular lenses. Post-cataract surgery patients usually do not require other additional surgery. Multifocal intraocular lenses is a good option for patients who do not want to wear reading glasses after cataract surgery.
Worsening of the cataract is inevitable as it is an age-related condition. It is not proven that wearing of sunshades will slow down the process of cataract progression.
Question by jm6022
I'm in my mid 40s, have myopia and starting to have presbyopia. Just to clarify before and after lasik treatment for myopia, my presbyopia should stay the same or worse? Thank you.
Answered by Dr Mohamad Rosman Senior Consultant Cataract and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Service Singapore National Eye Centre
Lasik treatment for myopia will not correct treat your presbyopia, nor will it make your presbyopia worse. While you may be able to see far without glasses after LASIK, you will still require spectacles for reading.
Based the information you provided, you may be a suitable candidate for monovision LASIK. In this procedure, we will correct one of your eyes to see far objects clearly and leave the other eye slightly myopic so that you can see near objects with that eye. This will enable you to see both far and near without spectacles. However, it is advisable that you see an ophthalmologist who will discuss the various options with you.
Ref: V10
