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Singer Lee Moon-se said his vision improved significantly after undergoing cataract surgery and presbyopia correction. Cataracts, a condition in which the eye's lens becomes cloudy, often develop alongside presbyopia — the age-related difficulty in focusing on nearby objects. Doctors are increasingly correcting both conditions at once by choosing the right type of intraocular lens during cataract surgery.

Lee posted on SNS on Thursday that he was on his way to a follow-up appointment "exactly one week after cataract surgery." He added that his vision had improved remarkably — he could see "so clearly" — which he attributed to having the presbyopia correction done at the same time.

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. Depending on the type of lens used, the procedure can restore not only distance vision but also intermediate and near vision.

Cataracts cloud the lens; presbyopia reduces focusing ability

Although both cataracts and presbyopia are linked to aging of the eye's lens, the two conditions differ in how they develop and what symptoms they cause.

The lens is a transparent structure inside the eye that refracts light and focuses it onto the retina.

A healthy lens stays clear, allowing light to pass through freely. With age, however, the protein structure inside the lens changes and clumps together, gradually turning the lens opaque — a condition known as a cataract.

When cataracts develop, objects may appear blurry, as if seen through a fog. Light can seem to scatter, and headlights from oncoming cars at night may feel uncomfortably glaring.

Colors may take on a yellowish tint and lose their sharpness. As the cloudiness worsens, even a new pair of glasses may no longer provide adequate vision correction.

According to the US National Eye Institute (NEI), cataracts are caused primarily by age-related changes in the lens. Diabetes, smoking, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and the use of steroid medications are also recognized risk factors.

Presbyopia, by contrast, results from a loss of elasticity and focusing flexibility in the lens. In younger eyes, the lens changes shape to focus on objects at varying distances. As the lens stiffens with age, adjusting focus for close-up tasks becomes harder.

Presbyopia typically begins to appear in a person's 40s.

Common signs include blurry text on a phone screen or in a book, and the habit of holding reading material at arm's length to bring it into focus. Prolonged close-up work can also cause eye fatigue and headaches.

In middle-aged and older adults, cataracts and presbyopia can occur together — the lens becomes cloudy, blurring overall vision, while the ability to focus at close range also declines.

Removing the clouded lens and implanting an artificial one — correcting presbyopia too

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens and implanting a clear artificial intraocular lens in its place.

The procedure typically begins with a small incision in the cornea. The surgeon uses ultrasonic energy to break the lens into fragments and remove them, then inserts an intraocular lens so that light focuses accurately on the retina.

Intraocular lenses vary in the distances they can focus and in their vision-correction characteristics.

The most basic type is the monofocal lens, designed to focus at a single distance — either near or far. A patient whose lens is set for distance vision may still need reading glasses for books or phone screens.

Multifocal intraocular lenses, by contrast, are designed to focus at multiple distances. Their optical structure distributes light across several focal points, improving both distance and near vision at the same time. Some lens designs also correct intermediate vision, such as for computer screens.

Extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses extend the range of clear vision, providing relatively continuous sight from distance through intermediate ranges.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, multifocal and EDOF lenses can reduce dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.

Patients who regularly read, use smartphones or work at a computer — and therefore need good vision at a range of distances — can choose a lens type based on their lifestyle.

The optical properties of each lens type also produce different visual experiences.

Multifocal lenses can cause halos or light scatter around streetlights and car headlights at night. Because light is split across multiple focal points, contrast sensitivity in low-light conditions may also be reduced, making edges appear less sharp.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises careful evaluation for patients who drive frequently at night or who have other eye conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Before surgery, doctors examine the shape of the cornea, the length of the eyeball, and the condition of the retina and optic nerve. Patients with astigmatism may be candidates for a toric intraocular lens that corrects it at the same time.

For those seeking to correct both cataracts and presbyopia simultaneously, it is also important to consider whether distance or near vision matters more in daily life.

Vision gradually recovers after surgery — eye drops and eye protection are key

Cataract surgery is considered a relatively fast-recovery procedure.

According to the NEI, about 90 percent of cataract surgery patients experience improved vision afterward.

Removing the clouded lens allows light to reach the retina more effectively, making vision feel brighter and clearer. Patients who saw a yellowish tint before surgery often notice that colors appear more vivid and distinct afterward.

Vision may be temporarily blurry immediately after surgery due to corneal swelling and inflammation. As recovery progresses, vision stabilizes; the final outcome depends on the condition of the eye and the characteristics of the implanted lens.

After surgery, patients must use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for a prescribed period. The UK's National Health Service (NHS) advises using eye drops for several weeks following cataract surgery to prevent infection and inflammation and to support healing.

Before applying eye drops, patients should wash their hands thoroughly and avoid letting the tip of the dropper touch the eye or skin.

Rubbing or pressing on the eye should be avoided immediately after surgery, as external pressure during healing of the incision can affect recovery. Patients are often advised to wear a protective eye shield while sleeping for a set period to prevent unconscious rubbing.

When washing the face or showering, care should be taken to keep soap and shampoo away from the surgical site. Swimming, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be resumed only after consulting a doctor based on the patient's recovery progress.

Mild redness and a sensation of something in the eye are normal during recovery.

Severe pain, a sudden drop in vision or worsening redness requires prompt medical attention. Flashes of light in the visual field or a sudden increase in floaters should also be evaluated to check the condition of the retina.

Routine post-operative check-ups monitor visual acuity, eye pressure, inflammation and the position of the intraocular lens.

Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions associated with aging. In the early stages, adjusting eyeglass prescriptions or improving lighting can ease discomfort, but surgery is considered when vision loss begins to affect daily life.

Regular eye exams to monitor the lens and retina, and wearing UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors, are recommended for long-term eye health. For those with diabetes, managing blood sugar levels and quitting smoking can also help preserve vision.

When planning cataract surgery, it is important to assess the degree of vision loss, the extent of presbyopia symptoms and the patient's lifestyle. Choosing the right intraocular lens and following post-operative care instructions carefully can help restore clear vision and reduce the impact on daily life.


rainbow@heraldcorp.com