Dad's Eye Surgery in SNEC

This is my first time connecting using Wireless@SG in the SGH. Today I am here with my parents as I am accompanying my Dad for his eye surgery to treat his Glaucoma and Cataract. He has been feeling tense for the past few days since he was arranged for this surgery by his specialist. His sight has been deteriorating and nowadays he finds difficulty to read especially in the night time. Luckily he has stopped driving since I started work, else I won't want to risk my life sitting in his ride.

Hopefully this surgery can help him to improve his sight else at least the deterioration should cease, else this may lead to blindness if not treated properly. I am beginning to fear for myself since this may be inherited by genes as my grandmum was also suffering from this before she passed away. Better start looking more on the greener things.....

Articles extracted from SGH:

WHAT IS CATARACT?
Cataract is a condition in which the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing sufficient light rays from entering the eye and impairing vision.

WHAT CAUSES CATARACT?
It is common in the elderly as it normally due to the ageing process. Prolonged UV light exposure, long term use of medication and certain illnesses like diabetes are also risk factors to the development of cataracts. In the young, cataract can be present at birth or develop as a result of injury.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The first sign is usually blurring of vision that cannot be corrected by glasses. Other symptoms may include frequent change of glasses, colours appearing dull, poor vision in bright light, glare, haloes around lights, difficulty reading or watching television or driving at night.

CATARACT SURGERY
Cataract surgery will usually be advised by your surgeon when your poor vision cannot be improved well with glasses and when it interferes with your daily activities.
Our surgeons are able to perform cataract surgery using the latest techniques, machines and instruments, making cataract surgery nowadays comfortable, safe and quick to recover from.
Cataract surgery is performed as a day/ambulatory surgery. 91.5% of our cataract surgeries are performed by phacoemulsification.
Phacoemulsification involves making a small incision of 1.5 to 3.0mm on the cornea. The vibrating phacoemulsification instrument is introduced into the eye through the small wound. It causes emulsification (softening) of the cataract lens which is aspirated out through the instrument at the same time.The capsule of the lens is left behind which then receives the artificial lens implant. The surgery is complete without any need for stitches.

Introduction to Glaucoma
Glaucoma accounts for 40% of blindness in Singapore. It is an eye disease where the fluid pressure within the eyeball is too high and damages the optic nerve, which carries visual impulses from the eye to the brain. This pressure build-up occurs because of an imbalance between the production and drainage of fluid within the eyeball.
Glaucoma is damaging to sight because the raised pressure can injure the delicate nerve fibres contained in the retina and the optic nerve at the back of the eyeball.
The vast majority of cases develop slowly, and the patient is normally not aware of the gradual loss of sight until very late in the disease when vision is seriously affected.

Different Types Of Glaucoma
Primary Open-Angle GlaucomaThis accounts for the majority of glaucoma cases in most countries. It affects the elderly and middle-aged. Relatives of people with glaucoma have a higher risk of having the disease as it may be inherited. The glaucoma progresses slowly and is often not noticed by the patient, as there are usually no symptoms like pain or redness. Peripheral (ie side) vision and night vision are gradually affected first. Central reading vision is affected only very late.
Acute Angle ClosureThis form of glaucoma usually affects middle-aged and elderly Chinese women in Singapore. Due to a sudden blockage of the fluid outflow channel, there is a rapid, drastic rise in the fluid pressure within the eye. This results in eye pain, redness, headache, nausea and vomiting. Blurred vision and coloured rings around lights are accompanying symptoms.
Chronic Angle-Closure GlaucomaLike Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma, this form of glaucoma progresses gradually, and often goes unnoticed for a long time. It results from progressive blockage of the drainage channels of the eyeball, and a slow prolonged rise in pressure.
Secondary GlaucomaThis is sometimes caused by inflammation of the eyeball or when a cataract becomes too advanced and swollen. Other causes are tumours, injuries and surgery to the eyeball.

Treatment
The earlier glaucoma is diagnosed, the greater the chances of success in preventing visual loss. Assessment for glaucoma is easily carried out in the clinic and is painless. It includes the measurement of eyeball pressure, optic nerve examination, an assessment of the fluid drainage channels of the eyeball, and a test to chart the area of the vision that each eye can see (Visual Fields).
Although glaucoma cannot be cured, in most cases it can be successfully controlled. The treatment depends on the type of glaucoma. It may be in the form of medication (eg eyedrops), laser therapy or surgery. Your doctor will discuss with you the best treatment in your case.
It is important to note that the success of treatment for glaucoma is measured by the stability of the condition, which only your eye doctor can determine. The degree of sharpness of your vision does not indicate how well the glaucoma is controlled. Patients should therefore continue with regular check-ups with your eye specialist to ensure that everything is well, and to detect early worsening of the glaucoma to prevent visual loss.