[Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic] Cataracts You Didn't Know About: 2021 Next-Generation Synergy IOL

Time flows, even at this very moment.

These days, many middle-aged individuals in their 40s and 50s are striving to maintain their youth, much like those in their 20s. Not only in appearance, but also in activities such as clubs and travel, their dynamism is comparable to younger generations. The fundamental truth is that good health is essential to live a youthful and well-managed life, even as we age!

Among many body parts, ‘eye health’ particularly stands out. Our eyes are constantly moving, just as time is constantly flowing. Our eyes move not only when we are awake but also when we sleep. Therefore, the ‘eyes’ are also the body part that ages most rapidly.

With the development of various electronic devices and the aging population in South Korea leading to various eye diseases, we will provide you with information about ‘presbyopia’ and ‘cataracts’ that you may not have known, along with their respective surgical treatments.

What is Presbyopia? Definition of Presbyopia

Inside the eye, there is an organ called the ‘lens’. The lens adjusts focus by becoming thinner when looking at distant objects and thicker when looking at close objects.

When young, the accommodative power is excellent, allowing one to freely switch focus between distant and near objects within one second. However, as one ages, this accommodative power gradually decreases, almost completely lost after the age of 60. When this happens, close-up objects or text appear blurry, which is called ‘presbyopia’.

Looking at the image above, can you feel the difference between the left and right? The left shows normal vision, where near, intermediate, and far distances can all be seen clearly. The right shows presbyopic vision, where near distance (smartphone screen) appears blurry.

If near vision is so poor that it hinders daily life, presbyopia correction surgery should be considered. However, in most cases, reading glasses are worn to compensate for presbyopic vision.

Presbyopia Self-Diagnosis

If you check 3-4 or more items on the presbyopia self-diagnosis chart above, it is important to suspect presbyopia and take appropriate action.

What is a Cataract? Definition of Cataract

The lens inside the eye is transparent. A cataract is an eye disease where the transparent lens gradually turns white, causing the overall vision to become blurry and feeling frustrating. Cataracts are broadly divided into congenital and acquired types.

Congenital causes include intrauterine infection due to maternal drug use and genetics. Acquired causes include aging, eye trauma, diabetes, UV radiation, and complications from other eye diseases.

While cataracts can develop due to various causes, the most common cause is ‘senile cataract’ due to aging.

On the left, normal vision allows clear viewing of near, intermediate, and far distances. On the right, cataract vision, unlike presbyopic vision, shows all distances (smartphone, person, mountain) as blurry.

Does all vision immediately become blurry when a cataract develops?

No. Just as all diseases have prodromal symptoms, cataracts also have symptoms that can be inferred.

Cataract Self-Diagnosis

If you check 3-4 or more items on the cataract self-diagnosis chart above, it is important to suspect cataracts and visit a nearby ophthalmologist for a detailed eye examination.

If cataracts are detected early, surgical treatment is not immediately performed. Initially, medication is used to slow down the progression of the cataract. However, medication only inhibits the progression and cannot provide a fundamental cure. Therefore, if the cataract progresses to a moderate stage and negatively impacts daily life, surgical treatment is necessary.

How is presbyopia and cataract surgery performed at Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic?

In the past, presbyopia and cataract surgery was performed using a surgical knife and the surgeon's hand.

The disadvantage was that it relied solely on the surgeon's experience and dexterity, leading to longer surgical times and the risk of the capsular bag tearing if the hand trembled. This caused significant concerns about presbyopia and cataract surgery.

Laser Presbyopia and Cataract Surgery at Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic

Today's presbyopia and cataract surgery has changed significantly.

At Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic, presbyopia and cataract surgery is performed using a femtosecond laser device instead of a traditional surgical knife. This has improved concerns regarding surgical time, pain, recovery period, and the surgical process. Firstly, because the surgery is performed with a precise laser device, the surgical time has been shortened to around 15 minutes. With reduced surgical time, pain is minimized, and the recovery period is also shortened. Furthermore, the use of a precise laser device during surgery reduces damage to surrounding eye tissues, increasing safety and accuracy.

Once the lens becomes cloudy, it cannot be restored to its transparent state. Therefore, if the degree of cloudiness becomes severe and negatively impacts daily life, cataract surgery is performed. This process involves removing the existing cloudy lens and replacing it with an ‘intraocular lens’ (IOL).

Since IOLs have a semi-permanent lifespan, this can be considered a ‘one-time’ surgery in a person's life. Therefore, the choice of IOL is crucial.

IOLs can be broadly divided into monofocal IOLs and multifocal IOLs.

So, what is the difference between the two?

First, a monofocal IOL can only focus on one distance, either near or far. If a monofocal IOL is inserted to correct only distant vision, there is the drawback of needing to wear reading glasses to compensate for near vision.

A multifocal IOL can focus on multiple distances, improving vision from near to far. Therefore, it can reduce dependence on reading glasses and provide useful vision over a wider range.

Types of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses

There are various types of multifocal intraocular lenses.

Each has different characteristics, making it difficult to definitively say which lens is better. This is because the choice of multifocal IOL for a patient's eye is made considering various factors such as the progression of presbyopia and cataracts, the patient's occupation, and hobbies.

Importance of Intraocular Lenses

There are numerous intraocular lenses available. Improving patient satisfaction after presbyopia and cataract surgery depends on which IOL is inserted. As one experiences in daily life, there are many situations where vision is needed not only at a specific distance but also for various distances, including near, intermediate, and far objects and scenery.

2021 Synergy Lens Launch

We would like to introduce the Synergy Lens, a new continuous-focus intraocular lens developed by Johnson & Johnson in 2021.

Distinctive Features of the Synergy Lens

1. Seamless and natural vision from near to far

It combines continuous focus and multifocal technology to create a technological synergy effect. This allows for continuous, seamless, and natural vision from near to far.

What is 'vision discontinuity'?

It refers to the phenomenon where blurry sections appear between focal points when vision is divided into near (approx. 40cm), intermediate (approx. 60-70cm), and far (approx. 1m or more) distances.

2. Blocks violet light waves that accelerate eye aging

Blue light emitted from LEDs and smartphones is generally classified as harmful light. Recently, with more time spent indoors due to COVID-19, people have been exposed to more harmful light. The Synergy Lens blocks harmful violet light waves that are frequently encountered in daily life, protecting the eyes from light even after surgery and creating a more favorable environment for modern people's eye health.

3. Optimizes contrast by correcting chromatic aberration at all distances

It minimizes glare and corrects chromatic aberration, resulting in clear vision not only during the day but also at night. This would be beneficial for those who work at night.

Clear vision at all distances, all the time!

Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic is equipped with:

1. Over 70 types of precise examination systems
2. Interconnection of examination and surgical equipment
3. Advanced medical equipment comparable to university hospitals * Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic

1. Over 70 types of precise examination systems

We do not proceed with surgery without thorough examination.

Just as everyone's fingerprints are unique, so are their eyes. There are various factors to check, from refractive errors like myopia, astigmatism, or hyperopia, to corneal thickness, and the progression of eye diseases.

Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic conducts approximately 70 types of multi-dimensional precise examinations to comprehensively assess the patient's eyes, including the cornea, lens, and retina. The human eye has numerous capillaries, and detailed examination of each function of the lens, cornea, and optic nerve can reduce postoperative side effects.

2. Interconnection of examination and surgical equipment

With a wireless integrated network system, patient data from examination equipment can be linked to surgical equipment, enabling precise surgical planning and optimal surgery tailored to each individual's situation.

3. Advanced medical equipment comparable to university hospitals

Many patients prefer university hospitals for specialized medical care. However, complex consultation procedures, high costs, and recently, the high barrier to entry due to COVID-19, are increasing. For such patients, Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic has introduced advanced medical equipment comparable to university hospitals, providing simple consultations with specialized medical staff, systematic examinations, and reasonable costs.

Today's middle-aged and elderly population is often more financially stable than those in their 20s due to their professional lives, leading many to actively manage their youth. Sports activities like cycling, golf, hiking, swimming, and climbing are also popular. 'Cataracts' are a leading cause of blindness worldwide.

Presbyopia and cataract surgery is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure. What choice will you make?​

* Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic is committed to preventing COVID-19 through thorough disinfection and social distancing.

Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic Seoul Gangnam Branch Location

Gangnam Smile Eye Clinic Busan Seomyeon Branch Location

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