Frequently Asked Questions

Myopia

Q1: Does a child being diagnosed with refractive error mean they have true myopia?

A1: Children can experience pseudomyopia because their ciliary muscles have strong accommodative function. After focusing on near objects, their vision becomes blurry when shifting to distant objects, resulting in a degree of blurriness similar to myopia.When children experience discomfort while wearing myopic glasses, it stems from the persistent factors causing ciliary muscle contraction. Therefore, doctors use cycloplegic eye drops to dilate the pupils and relax the ciliary muscles, enabling differentiation between true and false myopia.

Q2: Does using smart devices affect children's myopia?

A2: Any form of close-up work can trigger myopia. Prolonged near-focusing tasks increase strain on the ciliary muscles, causing the eyeball to elongate. The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued guidelines advising against electronic device use for children under two years old. For children aged two and above, screen time should ideally not exceed two hours, though adjustments should be made based on the child's learning needs.

Q3: Can delaying the start of wearing glasses or using glasses with a lower prescription slow down the progression of myopia?

A3: A pair of glasses with the correct prescription helps you easily recognize distant objects without causing headaches or eye strain. If children cannot see clearly or use an improper lens prescription, it may lead to amblyopia and potentially worsen myopia.Of course, some children may still experience worsening myopia even with properly prescribed glasses. This could be due to the natural progression of myopia as the eye continues to develop and elongate, or it may be related to poor visual habits, such as prolonged screen time.

Q4: What is the purpose of vision correction for children?

A4: The goal of myopia control for children is not to completely halt the progression of myopia, but to slow down its rate of progression. If a child's myopia increases by 100 degrees annually, this is considered rapid progression, making treatment worth considering. For children, the ideal rate of myopia progression is within 50 degrees per year. It's important to note that high myopia (500 degrees or more) carries a higher risk of developing eye diseases.

Q5: Can children's eye drops slow the progression of myopia?

A5: Yes, low-dose atropine eye drops are commonly used by ophthalmologists as a first-line treatment to slow myopia progression in children. A study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong found this method can effectively reduce the rate of myopia progression in children by up to 60%, with rare side effects.

Q6: What are OK lenses?

A6: OK lenses, or orthokeratology lenses, are rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight. They utilize the surface tension of tears to reshape the cornea's curvature and contour. Children undergoing this treatment simply wear the lenses while sleeping at night, eliminating the need for glasses in the morning.The only concern is that children may unknowingly rub their eyes during sleep, potentially causing corneal damage or infection. Therefore, this method is only suitable for children aged 8 and above who demonstrate good self-care abilities.

Q7: What is the latest method for children's vision correction?

A7: A "Multi-Zone Positive Optical Defocus" (DIMS) eyeglass lens designed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been proven to slow the progression of myopia by up to 60% in participating children.The lens comprises a "central optical zone" for correcting refractive errors and a "multi-zone progressive myopia defocus" extending from the center to the periphery. When viewing objects at different distances, the DIMS lens provides clear vision and myopia defocus to correct visual acuity.

Q8: Besides receiving treatment, what other methods can help protect vision?

A8: When reading on a mobile phone or tablet, remember to do so under adequate lighting. Reduce the brightness of electronic devices and adjust font size and line spacing to moderate levels to minimize eye strain. After every 20 minutes of reading, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds to allow the ciliary muscles sufficient rest and relaxation.Australian research indicates that children engaging in 14 hours of outdoor activities weekly can stimulate dopamine secretion, thereby slowing the progression of myopia.

Q9: Can exercises such as massaging the area around the eyes help delay the onset of myopia in children?

A9: There is no evidence that such exercises can control myopia. On the contrary, excessive pressure on the muscles around the eyes can cause an increase in intraocular pressure. Furthermore, individuals with high myopia risk retinal detachment if they move their eyes rapidly, so caution is essential. It is best for them to participate in outdoor activities, which can help delay the progression of myopia.

Q10:Laser vision correction surgery can reverse myopia and guarantee perfect vision for life.

A 10: An increase in myopia means the eyeball has lengthened. Currently, there is no way to shrink the eyeball back to its original length when vision was perfect. However, laser vision correction can help patients eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The surgery does not shorten the eyeball; instead, it reshapes the cornea so that light can focus on the retina without the aid of glasses or contact lenses.

Cataract

Q1. How to determine which IOL is best for you

• Do you frequently use smartphones and tablets?
• Do you often drive at night?
• Do you have moderate to severe astigmatism?
• Is it accompanied by eye diseases such as glaucoma or diabetes?

Q2. How long is the lifespan of an intraocular lens?

For over 100 years, no cases have been reported where vision was impaired due to the aging of intraocular lenses. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the lifespan of these lenses. However, due to manufacturing issues, there have been extremely rare instances where lenses required replacement.

Q3. What should I prepare before cataract surgery? ?

Family Accompaniment: On the day of surgery, one adult should arrive punctually to assist with preoperative preparations and provide postoperative care.

Diet: There is no need to fast on the day of surgery, but avoid eating too much or drinking excessive amounts of fluids.

Medications: Continue taking your regular medications as prescribed by your doctor.

Personal Hygiene: Patients should bathe and wash their hair before surgery.

Clothing: Please wear clean garments and avoid tops with tight collars.

Q4. What should I be mindful of after surgery? ?

• For one week after surgery, protect your eyes with glasses, sunglasses, or an eye shield. Do not rub your eyes with your hands to avoid causing inflammation at the incision site. Gently wipe the area around your eyes with sterile cotton pads or clean tissues.
• When applying eye drops, first pull down your lower eyelid and place the drops or ointment inside. Do not allow the tip of the eye drop bottle to touch your eye.
• Patients may resume normal activities after routine cataract surgery without the need for bed rest. However, patients with traumatic injuries or complex cases such as those with concomitant glaucoma may require activity restrictions.
• Regarding diet, there are no specific restrictions after surgery. However, it is advisable to limit consumption of spicy or irritating foods. For individuals with allergies, it is recommended to avoid foods high in protein content.
• For one month after surgery, avoid swimming, strenuous exercise, and lifting heavy objects (approximately over thirty pounds). Be cautious when bending your head forward to prevent bumping it.
• Do not remove the gauze or eye shield yourself on the day of surgery. The gauze and eye shield will be removed by the clinic nurse the day after surgery. You may shower, wash your hair, and wash your face starting the day after surgery, but use the showerhead carefully to avoid getting dirty water in your eyes. After the gauze and eye shield are removed, you may gently clean the upper and lower eyelids daily with cotton pads moistened with cooled boiled water or distilled water to remove secretions.
• Follow your doctor's instructions and continue follow-up visits at the ophthalmology clinic until you are fully recovered. At each follow-up appointment, please bring the eye drops prescribed by your doctor for postoperative use.
• If you experience unbearable pain at the wound site or a sudden decline in vision, seek immediate medical attention at a clinic.

Q5. Do I need to wear glasses after cataract surgery?

Whether glasses are required after cataract surgery depends on the type of intraocular lens implanted. Monofocal lenses, due to limitations in their optical design, necessitate glasses for correcting either distance or near vision postoperatively. Multifocal lenses can accommodate both distance and near vision, but are not suitable for patients with retinal diseases. Patients with astigmatism ranging from 150 to 400 degrees may consider toric intraocular lenses to achieve more comfortable postoperative vision.

Q6. Can cataracts "recur" after surgery? ?

So-called "recurrent cataracts" refer to the intentional retention of the "posterior capsule" during cataract surgery to accommodate an intraocular lens. Over time, this capsule may thicken and become cloudy again. Fortunately, this type of "recurrent cataract" does not require another surgical procedure. Vision can be restored by simply using laser treatment in an outpatient setting to open the cloudy posterior capsule.

Laser Vision Correction for Presbyopia

1. Is laser vision correction suitable for me?

Individuals suitable for receiving LBV:

• Severe myopia or hyperopia, accompanied by presbyopia, aged 40-65 without cataracts
• Laser vision correctioncompleted; regression to nearsightedness and farsightedness, but cataracts are not yet mature.

• Monofocal intraocular lens replacement for cataracts has been completed, but presbyopia remains unresolved.
• Maintain a youthful appearance
• Unable to tolerate the side effects of multifocal lenses ( reduced color contrast , nighttime glare, etc.)

Not suitable for individuals with presbyopia or those who have undergone laser vision correction.

• Prescription not yet stabilized (under 18 years old)
• Suffering from keratoconus (corneal structural instability)
• Cornea too thin, suffering from mature cataracts or glaucoma
• History of corneal infection or viral infection
• Individuals with immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  Pregnant women

2. How long does it last? What are the side effects?

• Temporary discomfort
• Flap complications
• Dry eye syndrome
• Overcorrection, undercorrection, or rebound
• Eye infection

Macular degeneration

1. Can using your phone in the dark cause macular degeneration?

Currently, there is insufficient research data to indicate that using electronic devices such as mobile phones directly causes macular degeneration. However, the high-energy visible light (commonly known as blue light) emitted by smartphones may damage the macular region. When using mobile phones or watching TV in dark environments, pupils dilate, allowing the macular region to absorb more blue light and increasing the risk of developing various eye diseases. Therefore, using mobile phones in the dark is not encouraged.

2. Blue Light Glasses: Useful or Hyped?

Before the advent of modern digital life, we were already exposed to significant amounts of blue light, mostly from the sun. However, gadgets like televisions, smartphones, laptops, and tablets—which dominate modern life—emit brighter light with shorter wavelengths (more blue-shifted).The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) states that you don't need them and does not recommend any special glasses for users. The organization asserts that blue light emitted by smart devices does not cause eye diseases or even eye strain. It explains that the issue stems solely from excessive use of smart devices. The AAO states: "Symptoms of eye strain are related to how we use smart devices, not to the blue light they emit."

Glaucoma

Q: Will I go blind from glaucoma?

A. Glaucoma is a slowly progressing disease, with damage occurring over years rather than days. Central vision is preserved until advanced stages of glaucoma, but blindness remains possible. Vision loss first occurs in the periphery and spreads toward the central vision. Visual field testing monitors your peripheral vision.

Q: How is glaucoma treated?

A: The primary treatment goal for glaucoma patients is to reduce intraocular pressure to a safe level, which depends on numerous factors. Common initial treatments include daily eye drops or laser surgery. Doctors will determine the optimal starting treatment based on each patient's specific circumstances.

Q: How can glaucoma be prevented?

A: Past research from Harvard University has shown that consuming certain green vegetables can help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma by up to 30%. Among the most effective vegetables are kale—a superfood that has gained popularity in recent years—as well as mustard greens and spinach. This may be because these vegetables contain dietary nitrates, which aid blood circulation and thereby help the flow of aqueous humor.

Diabetes

Q: Effects of diabetes on the eyes:

A: Cataracts and secondary glaucoma—diabetic patients develop these conditions earlier than the general population.

Refractive instability—When blood sugar levels fluctuate significantly in diabetic patients, refractive power is affected, leading to temporary hyperopia or myopia.

Retinopathy and Macular Edema — Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to protein leakage or bleeding, gradually impairing visual function. It may even cause fragile new blood vessels to grow on the retina, resulting in vitreous hemorrhage and retinal fibrosis.