Cataract surgery

For Those Who Are Hesitating About Cataract Surgery: Reasons We Recommend Surgery

• 1. Freedom from Troublesome Cataract Symptoms

  The symptoms of cataracts are not limited to “reduced vision.

  Typical symptoms include:
  Hazy or cloudy vision
  Blurred vision
  Sensitivity to light
  Having double or triple vision with one eye
  Difficulty distinguishing colors
  Difficulty seeing in dim light

  Surgery can free you from these troubling symptoms.
  If you experience any of these on a daily basis, please visit our clinic as soon as possible.
  If cataracts are the cause, we recommend surgery.

• 2. A Short Procedure

  Cataract surgery at our clinic is completed in a short time (about 10–15 minutes).
  The incision is very small (about 2 mm).

  Anesthetic eye drops are used. No injections are required.

  Even if you are taking multiple medications, this does not interfere with surgery.
  You do not need to stop medications that make your blood less likely to clot.

  

• 3. After Surgery

  If you are worried about the postoperative period, there is no need to worry. An eye patch is not necessary after surgery.
  For about one week after surgery, you will wear protective glasses with side shields.
  Immediately after surgery, due to the effects of pupil-dilating drops, the operated eye may be slightly blurry.
  However, your vision will be significantly clearer and brighter, compared to before having the surgery. You can walk with both eyes open and return home on your own.
  Two days after surgery, you may wash your face and hair, and you may also return to work.

  

• 4. Multifocal Intraocular Lenses Now Available

  For those who have difficulty seeing up close, we recommend a “multifocal intraocular lens (IOL)” that allows focus at both near and far distances.
  Previously, “monofocal intraocular lenses” were used for cataract surgery, and they focus at only one distance.
  Because the artificial lens does not have the focusing ability, glasses are needed to focus at other distances.
  In contrast, multifocal intraocular lenses are designed to focus at multiple distances. See here for more details.

Other Benefits

• Correction of Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

  Cataract surgery also has the aspect of “refractive correction surgery.” In other words, it can significantly reduce nearsightedness or farsightedness.
  Astigmatism can also be reduced (however, certain irregular types of astigmatism cannot be corrected).

• Prevention of Glaucoma Attacks

  In special cases—such as patients with “angle closure” (a condition where the drainage pathway of fluid inside the eye is narrow)—early cataract surgery is recommended.
  In eyes with angle closure, fluid drainage is impaired, increasing the risk of a sudden rise in eye pressure known as a “glaucoma attack.”
  Cataract surgery widens the drainage angle and can reduce the risk of such attacks.

• Protection from Ultraviolet (UV) Light

  Once implanted, intraocular lenses generally do not need to be replaced.
  Just as ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer, it can also damage the retina. Intraocular lenses have UV-blocking properties that protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.

  

• Regulation of the Body’s Internal Clock

  When cataracts prevent light from reaching the back of the eye, the biological clock can become disrupted.
  Cataract surgery restores proper light transmission and may help regulate the body’s natural rhythm.

  

• Driving Safety

  In Japan, traffic fatalities have decreased dramatically compared to several decades ago.
  While there are many reasons for this, improvements in vision due to advances in cataract surgery may also play a role.
  If cataracts are beginning to interfere with your driving, we recommend having surgery sooner rather than later.

  

Cataract surgery can brighten your mood and help you feel youthful

• Possible Relationship with Dementia and Depression

  Vision loss in older adults has been linked to dementia and depression. Many studies report that improved vision after cataract surgery may lead to improvement in mild dementia.

• Possible Relationship with Longevity

  In recent years, Japanese life expectancy has become one of the highest in the world.
  While there are many contributing factors, advances in cataract surgery may also play a role by improving vision, reducing injuries, and helping people remain active even at an advanced age.
  and helping people remain active even at an advanced age.

Our clinic is fully equipped with the latest treatment technology and performs cataract surgery under optimal conditions. We invite you to visit us for a consultation.