Breakthrough lens technology

A new generation of lenses offers the widest range of vision  after cataract surgery, with  fewer visual disturbances, says  cataract surgeon Dr David Goh

Cataracts are a condition where the normal lens in  the eye becomes cloudy with ageing. In 2022, the  World Health Organisation listed it as one of the  leading causes of vision impairment and blindness  worldwide. This is especially common as people  get older, and is reported in over 80 per cent of the  Singapore population aged 60 and above. 

Treatment is via surgery, where the patient’s  cloudy lens is replaced with a new lens. Cataract  

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Explore the option of premium multifocal intraocular lenses with  your surgeon. PHOTO: DR DAVID GOH 

EDOF-MF technologies. Incorporating the benefits  of Trifocals along with the EDOF-MFs’ reduced  side effects of halos and glare, these unique IOLs  provide synergy in terms of combining the widest  range of vision with fewer visual disturbances. 

The majority of my patients who have had the  latest MF-IOLs inserted are experiencing clear and  continuous reading vision up to 33cm, enabling  them to read fine print and even smaller Chinese  

surgeon, Dr David Goh of Novena Bladeless Cataract Surgery & Eye Specialist Centre, shares more. 

What are the available options for cataract  

surgery with multifocal intraocular lens  (MF-IOL) implants? 

First, have a discussion with your surgeon about your  lifestyle and how you use your eyes on a daily basis.  Also, many patients today want the freedom of not  having to wear spectacles after their operation.  

A good option would be premium MF-IOLs  that also allow correction of presbyopia, myopia  and astigmatism. Surgeons can now help patients  achieve optimal vision through matching of available  technologies with the patients’ visual needs by  modifying the eyes’ postoperative power. 

Previously, intraocular lenses (IOL) were only available in monofocal and standard multifocal  options. Updated versions include Extended Depth  of Focus multifocal lenses (EDOF-MF) and Trifocals,  which are now offered as standard options for  patients who wish to have their spectacle degree  corrected on top of removing their cataracts.  

The trade off with Trifocals is potential night vision problems such as glare, halos and starbursts  while driving, as well as reduced contrast in dim lighting. While EDOF-MF significantly reduces these  problems, they cannot correct vision with as wide a  range as Trifocals.

Synergy of multifocality 

Recently, the latest generation of MF-IOLs to arrive  on the market combine the benefits of Trifocals and text at a closer working distance, without the need  for spectacles. 

Laser focus 

In my practice, over 95 percent of multifocal surgery is now bladeless, using the femtosecond  laser (pictured above). The biggest advantage  is that this allows the MF-IOL to be perfectly  centralized to the visual axis.  

On top of that, 3D optical coherence tomography scans and laser precision creates perfectly sized  openings for IOLs. This improves refractive  outcomes and maximises patients’ chances of  achieving total independence from spectacles. No blades or knives are required during surgery, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes. 

EYE SEMINAR: CATARACT AND 

PRESBYOPIA TREATMENT 

February 18 (11.00 am -12:00 pm) 

Venue: #19-03, Royal Square Medical Centre  101 Irrawaddy Rd, Singapore 329565  

Admission is free. Call 6560 2220 to register.  

Dr David Goh 

Cataract Surgeon 

Novena Bladeless Cataract 

Surgery & Eye Specialist Centre