Ophthalmology
I. Diagnosis and Treatment of Cataracts
Cataract refers to a blinding eye disease characterized by the opacification of the crystalline lens and a decrease in its transparency, which prevents light from being normally projected onto the retina, leading to a progressive decline in vision. It is most common in middle-aged and elderly people, but can also occur in adolescents and infants (congenital cataract).
1. Early-stage Cataract (mild lens opacification, vision ≥0.6)
At this stage, patients do not experience obvious discomfort such as blurred vision or distorted vision. Only mild lens opacification can be seen during an ophthalmic examination. Surgery is not required, and the core approach is conservative intervention to delay the progression of the condition.
(1) Drug intervention: Under the guidance of a doctor, use antioxidant and lens-nourishing eye drops regularly to alleviate oxidative damage to the lens and delay the progression of opacification. Self-medication for a long period is prohibited.
(2) Vision monitoring: Undergo a specialized ophthalmic examination every 6 months, including vision, intraocular pressure, slit-lamp, and fundus examinations, to accurately monitor the degree of lens opacification and the fundus condition.
(3) Symptomatic care: If accompanied by dryness and visual fatigue, artificial tears can be used to relieve eye discomfort and prevent eye dryness from worsening lens metabolic abnormalities.
2. Mid-stage Cataract (moderate lens opacification, vision 0.3-0.6)
Patients experience obvious symptoms such as blurred vision, photophobia, glare at night, and double vision, which affect daily vision and reading. Conservative treatment needs to be intensified, the condition strictly monitored, and the timing of surgery evaluated.
(1) Optimized drug treatment: Continue using specialized eye drops, and under the guidance of a doctor, orally take antioxidants such as lutein, vitamin C, and vitamin E to improve eye metabolism.
(2) Lifestyle adaptation and correction: Temporarily wear anti-glare glasses and sunglasses to improve photophobia and blurred vision, and enhance daily visual quality.
(3) Shortened follow-up cycle: Re-examine every 3 months, focusing on evaluating the progression speed of lens opacification and screening for complications such as glaucoma and fundus lesions.
3. Late-stage Cataract (severe lens opacification, vision ≤0.3)
Patients experience a severe decline in vision, making it impossible to live, read, and travel normally. Conservative treatment is ineffective, and surgery is the only curative method. The mainstream clinical surgical methods are safe, minimally invasive, and offer fast recovery.
(1) Core surgical plan: Phacoemulsification cataract extraction + intraocular lens implantation. This is a minimally invasive surgery with a small incision, low trauma, and fast postoperative recovery, suitable for the vast majority of middle-aged and elderly patients.
(2) High-end customized surgery: For patients with astigmatism, presbyopia, or myopia combined with cataracts, trifocal, bifocal, or astigmatism-correcting intraocular lenses can be chosen. Refractive problems can be corrected simultaneously after surgery, eliminating dependence on glasses.
(3) Postoperative treatment: Routinely use anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious eye drops for 1-4 weeks after surgery. Regularly re-examine intraocular pressure, cornea, and the position of the intraocular lens to avoid postoperative complications such as inflammation, dry eye, and elevated intraocular pressure.
II. Diagnosis and Treatment of Refractive Errors
Refractive errors, commonly known as refractive eyes, include three types: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. They are eye problems caused by abnormalities in the eye's refractive system, which prevent parallel light from focusing accurately on the retina, leading to blurred vision and visual fatigue. They are highly prevalent in adolescents, while adults mostly have stable refractive abnormalities.
1. SMILE Surgery (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
Suitable population: People with myopia within 1000 degrees, astigmatism within 500 degrees, sufficient corneal thickness, high daily physical activity, and a pursuit of high safety (students, office workers, sports enthusiasts).
Core advantages: No corneal flap, small incision (2mm minimally invasive), painless during surgery, fast postoperative recovery, strong impact resistance, extremely low risk of dry eye, and currently the mainstream preferred surgical method.
Limitations: Cannot be finely corrected a second time, and ultra-high myopia is not suitable.
2. LASIK Surgery (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)
Suitable population: People with myopia within 1200 degrees, astigmatism within 600 degrees, especially those with high-order astigmatism, larger pupils at night, and a need for fine vision (drivers, designers).
Core advantages: Personalized customized ablation plans can be created, correction accuracy is extremely high, supports secondary revision surgery, and has a wider range of applicability.
Limitations: A corneal flap exists, severe impact must be avoided after surgery, and the short-term probability of dry eye is slightly higher than SMILE.
3. Surface Laser Surgery (PRK/TransPRK)
Suitable population: People with myopia within 600 degrees, relatively thin corneas, and those unable to undergo femtosecond surgery, as well as military and police personnel, athletes, and other practitioners of contact sports.
Core advantages: No incision, no corneal flap, zero eye trauma, and extremely high stability.
Limitations: Slow postoperative recovery, noticeable pain, short-term photophobia and tearing, with a recovery period of 1-3 months.
