Cataract Surgery in Summer: Safe and Reassuring

Summer Cataract Surgery: Proceed Without Worry

Cataracts, a common age-related eye condition, cause vision to become cloudy and blurred, as if there is something obstructing the view.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, approximately 320,000 elderly patients in South Korea were diagnosed with cataracts in 2023, making it one of the most common conditions among older adults, second only to certain novel diseases.

Despite being one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the field of ophthalmology, there are common misconceptions surrounding cataract surgery, particularly during the summer. Many patients believe that undergoing cataract surgery in hot weather can lead to difficult recovery or increased risk of infection. This belief, coupled with concerns about sweat possibly contaminating the surgical site, leads to a noticeable decline in cataract surgeries during the summer months of July, August, and September.

Professor Kyung-Eun Han from the Department of Ophthalmology at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital addresses these concerns, stating, “There is a tendency to avoid cataract surgery in the summer because of the need to avoid getting water in the eyes for about a week post-surgery. However, with the use of air conditioning and maintaining appropriate indoor temperatures, there is no need to avoid surgery during the summer. In fact, delaying surgery could worsen the symptoms, so it is important to consult with an ophthalmologist regardless of the season.”

Cataracts are primarily caused by aging, as the proteins in the eye’s lens undergo structural changes after the age of 50, leading to clouding of the lens, which affects vision. In recent years, the incidence of cataracts has also been rising among younger individuals due to factors like diabetes, obesity, and trauma.

Professor Han emphasizes that cataract surgery should be considered when vision impairment begins to interfere with daily activities, or when complications such as acute angle-closure glaucoma occur. The surgery involves making a small incision of 2-3 mm in the cornea, using ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens, and then implanting an artificial lens. Although the procedure typically takes less than 20 minutes, it can take longer if the lens has hardened due to advanced cataract or if the eye’s structure is weak.

One common misconception is that cataract surgery is as simple as scraping away the cloudy part of the lens. However, Professor Han clarifies that “cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens inside the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. It is not a simple procedure done on the surface of the eye; it requires precise surgical skills and thorough preoperative assessments.”

Another myth is that patients can choose not to have an artificial lens implanted during cataract surgery. Professor Han explains, “Without an artificial lens, the patient would need to wear very thick glasses with a prescription of about +20 diopters, which would be highly impractical. Therefore, the implantation of an artificial lens is a crucial part of the surgery.”

Regarding the improvement in vision after cataract surgery, Professor Han notes that while modern intraocular lenses (IOLs) do not fully replicate the function of the natural lens, they can significantly improve vision at various distances. “Patients can choose from single-focus lenses, which improve vision at one specific distance, or multifocal lenses, which can enhance vision at multiple distances. Newer lenses, such as extended depth of focus (EDOF) and trifocal lenses, provide better vision at multiple distances, allowing for greater flexibility in daily activities.”

Finally, Professor Han addresses concerns about the possibility of vision becoming cloudy again after cataract surgery. This condition, known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO), occurs when cells grow on the membrane that holds the artificial lens, causing vision to become cloudy. “If this happens, there’s no need for another surgery; a simple laser procedure performed in the clinic can clear the cloudiness and restore clear vision,” she explains.

In conclusion, Professor Han advises patients with cataracts to undergo surgery as soon as symptoms arise, regardless of the season, and stresses the importance of following medical advice to achieve the best possible outcomes. “If you experience redness, vision loss, or pain after surgery, you should visit the hospital immediately for further evaluation and treatment,” she adds.

Editor 메디마스터
^{Provided by: Ewha womans university medical center}

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