Cataract: Symptoms, Preventions, and Surgery Costs

According to the Department of Health, the causes of cataracts are numerous, and aging is the most common one, leading to the deterioration, hardening, and opacity of the lens. In severe cases, patients lose their vision permanently. Cigna Smart Health will explain the symptoms and introduce the prevention tips with operation charges for your reference in this article.

Causes of Cataract

Cataract is a common eye disease due to the opacity of the lens. The factors below raise your risk of cataract.

• Congenital or hereditary
• Aging
• Chronic diseases, such as diabetic psoriasis, and eczema
• Long-term use of steroids and other medications
• Prolonged exposure to the sun
• Eye diseases, such as iritis, glaucoma, severe short-sightedness
• Previous eye injury
• Smoking or drinking

Symptoms of Cataract

Cataract do not give early signs, but you may observe the symptoms below once the condition deteriorates.

• Blurry vision
• Change in color and lighting of objects seen
• Faded or dimmed vision
• A need for frequent changes in prescription glasses due to unstable myopia
• Glare or dazzle (particularly in bright sunlight or when driving at night)
• Trouble seeing at night with discomfort or irritability, especially when driving at night

Prevention Tips for Cataract

Prevention is always better than treatments, so eye care is important in daily life for preventing acquired cataract. You can take a look at the tips below.

• Protect your eyes from ultraviolet light
• Adequate intake of vitamin A, C, and E
• Use less eyedrop contained steroids
• Rest your eyes

Treatments of Cataract

Up to now, there is no medication with proven efficacy for the prevention or slowing of progress of opacification. Treatment of cataracts is by extraction of the opaque lens by operation. In general, early cataracts do not require surgery. Since conditions vary among patients, you should receive an eye exam regularly and follow your doctor’s instructions to decide if an operation is needed.

One point to consider is that complications, such as intraocular hemorrhage, bacterial infection, glaucoma, and retinal detachment, may incur and affect your vision after the surgery.

Types of Cataract Surgery

1. Cataract removal

A small cut (incision) of 11-15mm is made on your cornea. Through this incision, your doctor uses surgical tools to remove the front capsule of the lens and the cloudy lens comprising the cataract. Astigmatism may result after the operation.

2. Phacoemulsification

Your surgeon makes a tiny incision (2-3mm) in the front of your eye (cornea) and inserts a needle-thin probe into the lens substance where the cataract has formed. Your surgeon then uses the probe, which transmits ultrasound waves, to break up (emulsify) the cataract and suction out the fragments. Compared with the previous procedure, the time required for operation and recovery is shorter.

3. Femtosecond laser cataract treatment

This new cataract surgery uses a special type of laser to precisely create incisions and break up the cataract without using traditional blades or scalpels. The laser, known as a femtosecond laser, is programmed to make a precise incision in exactly the right place within the cornea and lens. With higher accuracy, the costs of treatment are also higher.

Fees for Cataract Surgery at Private Hospitals

For cataract surgery, private hospitals in Hong Kong usually charge two separate items, cataract extraction and lens implementation, from HK$15,400 to HK$23,800. However, additional costs are required for pre-operative examinations and hospitalization.

^Prices as of 1st Jan 2021

Note: Some of the plans do not include special procedures. For detailed pricing, please contact the respective hospital.

Fees of Cataract Surgery at Eye Centers

Local eye centers mainly perform phacoemulsification, priced from HK$15,000 to HK$24,000. Higher costs are incurred if you opt for femtosecond laser cataract surgery or multifocal or astigmatic lens.

*Prices as of 1st Jan 2021

Note: Some of the plans do not include special procedures. For detailed pricing, please contact the respective hospital.

Government Funding on Cataract Surgery

In 2008, the Hong Kong Government launched the Cataract Surgeries Programme (CSP). Under the Programme, patients can receive a subsidy of HK$ 5,000 for their cataract surgeries conducted by private ophthalmologists on the List. Besides, participating patients can receive a fixed amount of HK$8,000 subsidy and may need to co-pay an amount of not more than HK$8,000 for the service package, which consists of one pre-operative assessment, the cataract surgery including intraocular lens, and two post-operative checks. For more details, you can refer to the Hospital Authority website.

Pre-Operative Instructions for Cataract Surgery

Although cataract surgery only requires local anesthesia with a short operation and recovery time, you should be aware of the things below.

1. Use the prescribed eyedrop according to your doctor’s instructions
2. No alcoholic beverages 24 hours before the operation
3. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and avoid irritating food
4. Maintain good personal hygiene, especially your skin, hair, and nails
5. Tell your medical history to the ophthalmologist, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease

Post-Operative Instructions for Cataract Surgery

1. Do not remove the eye patch or rub the eyes
2. Photophobia, mild pain, itching, and discomfort may be experienced
3. Dry eye, light sensitivity, and redness may occur
4. Avoid shocks and bumps on the head so as not to affect the site
5. Use the prescribed eyedrop according to your doctor’s instructions
6. Do not get bathwater in your eye

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