世界衛生組織的研究數據顯示，全球約有三千九百萬位眼盲患者，其中佔51%成因是白內障，是全球失明的原因之首。白內障最常見是老年性白內障，一般於大約五十歲以上，就會發現自己有白內障症狀，而糖尿病患者和深度近視較容易及較早會出現白內障症狀。如果白內障變得成熟，就會為患者帶來一系列的併發症，例如：青光眼、葡萄膜炎等，甚至失明，後果嚴重。故患者會開刀做白內障手術，用人工晶體治療白內障，透過治療讓眼睛回復清晰視野。
What is a cataract?
白內障是由於眼內用以聚焦的透明晶體因年老或病變而變得混濁，晶狀體的功用如相機的鏡頭，幫助眼睛準確地對焦，使影像能聚焦在視網膜上形成清晰的影像。晶狀體是由蛋白質構成，具有調節光線的功能。當晶狀體變得混濁，透明度隨之下降，光線無法穿過，從而視力下降，形成白內障。
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
白內障的症狀比起其他眼科疾病，如乾眼症，相對較易辨認，一般最易察覺的症狀包括閱讀能力降低，這主要為視力模糊造成，而且會有畏光問題，患者夜間也容易出現眩光，或是對色彩及對比分辨力衰退等症狀。白內障的症狀又可細分為初期白內障症狀，及後期白內障症狀：
Early Symptoms of Cataracts
- photophobia
- Monocular diplopia
- Myopia has suddenly surged exponentially.
- Reduced Presbyopia
Late-stage cataract symptoms
- Blurred vision
- See glare appearing on objects
- 影像顏色變得昏暗
Why do people develop cataracts?
Aging
The primary cause of cataracts is aging and the natural deterioration of the eye, also known as "age-related cataracts," resulting from the aging and degeneration of the lens.Medically, based on the location of lens opacity, this type of cataract is further classified into three major categories: posterior subcapsular opacity, nuclear opacity, and cortical opacity.
Other diseases causing
又稱為「繼發型白內障」，成因是由於其他眼疾進行手術、使用類固醇藥物，或其他健康問題，如青光眼、糖尿病、眼內發炎、高度近視而引起。
caused by trauma
外傷也是白內障的其中一個成因。當眼睛曾受到強烈碰撞、穿刺傷害，或曾受到高熱、化學藥品灼傷等，令水晶體纖維排列錯位，有機會發生病變，如混濁、硬化等。但有部分患者並不是即時形成白內障，而是日後也逐漸出現。
Surgery is the only solution for cataracts.
Currently, surgical intervention remains the sole treatment for cataracts. The cataract surgery procedure involves removing the cloudy lens and implanting an intraocular lens to treat cataracts and improve vision.Typically performed under local anesthesia, the procedure takes place in an operating room under a microscope. Using phacoemulsification technology, the surgeon removes the cloudy lens and implants an intraocular lens (IOL) suitable for the patient. As a minimally invasive procedure, the surgical incision is small and may not require sutures, resulting in a shorter recovery time.Cataract surgery is highly safe, with complications being uncommon.
However, since each person's condition and needs differ, and intraocular lenses cannot be replaced as easily as eyeglasses, it is essential to consult with your doctor before undergoing cataract surgery to select the intraocular lens that best suits your specific needs.
Before undergoing cataract surgery, patients must decide which intraocular lens (IOL) to choose for cataract treatment. Patients should consider their overall eye health—such as whether they have dry eye syndrome, corneal astigmatism, or macular health—along with their visual needs and lifestyle, to determine which IOL will provide the best outcome. Only then should they proceed with cataract surgery.
Currently, there are three main types of intraocular lenses available for cataract surgery:
- 單焦點人工晶體 — 這是白內障患者常用的人工晶體，而且也適用於所有患者。但這款人工晶體只有單一焦距，若植入看遠功能的單焦距人工晶體改善遠視，當進行近距離活動如閱讀或打麻雀時，就可能要佩戴老花眼鏡。
- 全方位廣視人工晶體 — 將眼睛焦點拉長，解決以往多焦距人工晶體只能看到遠及近距離事物的缺點，填補中距離的視力。
- 三焦點人工晶體 — 這款人工晶體適用於白內障及老花患者，是一款擁有遠、中、近全程視力的多功能型人工晶體，開刀手術後，白內障患者對眼鏡的依賴性會較低。然而白內障患者開刀後可能出現光暈、眩光等視覺干擾，所以患者可能需要多點時間去適應。
Many patients who undergo cataract surgery to treat cataracts question the lifespan of intraocular lenses (IOLs). In fact, modern IOLs are made from biocompatible materials such as acrylic or silicone. This means they do not cause allergic reactions in the human body.For over a century, no cases have been reported where IOL degradation affected vision. Therefore, concerns about IOL lifespan are unfounded. Intraocular lenses outlast any human lifetime, and instances requiring replacement due to material changes are extremely rare.
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When should cataract surgery be considered?
由於當白內障變得成熟、惡化，有機會為患者帶來一系列的併發症，例如引發青光眼、葡萄膜炎，可導致不可逆轉的失明，而且晚期白內障手術難度較大，視力恢復也更慢。所以應及早治療，接受白內障開刀手術。而且，現時醫學進行下，患者不需要待出現白內障併發症的症狀後才進行手術。而是當視力逐漸惡化，視力不足以應付日常工作或生活需求時，便可考慮進行白內障手術治療。患者經由護士檢查發現視力下降，再經過醫生檢查及進行商討後，就可以決定何時接受手術，治療白內障。
If cataract surgery is delayed until the late stages, the lens may swell or even dissolve, leading to a series of complications such as glaucoma and uveitis. These conditions can cause irreversible blindness. Furthermore, late-stage cataract surgery is more challenging, and vision recovery is slower.
Postoperative Care for Cataract Surgery
患者接受白內障手術後一星期內，可用眼鏡、太陽眼鏡或護眼罩保護眼睛。切勿用手擦眼睛，以免引致傷口發炎。眼睛周邊也可用消毒棉花或乾淨紙巾輕抹，避免出現感染。常規白內障手術後可以正常活動，無需臥床。但外傷以及合併青光眼等複雜病例可能需要限制活動。
Regarding diet, there is no need to restrict food intake after surgery, but patients should reduce consumption of irritating foods. For those with allergies, high-protein foods should also be avoided.
For one month after surgery, avoid swimming, strenuous exercise, and lifting or carrying objects weighing more than thirty pounds. When bending your head downward during daily activities, take care to avoid bumping it.
