A Journey to Clearer Vision: Cataract Awareness Month
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Journey to Clearer Vision
In the second half of 2022, Wong Chiak Wu (CW), VP, Manufacturing Plant Management of Alcon Manufacturing & Logistics (AML) in Singapore, noticed a low level of blurriness in his vision while driving. Reading the license plates of cars in front of him became increasingly difficult. Numbers like “6” and “8” no longer appeared sharp, raising concerns about his safety and the growing impact on his quality of life.
CW consulted an ophthalmologist who explained, in layman terms, there was a tiny (macular) hole in each of his eyes – a serious issue that could lead to retinal detachment and blindness if left untreated. Immediately, he underwent laser photocoagulation (laser patching surgery) to resolve the issue. During the examination, the ophthalmologist discovered another problem: cataracts in both eyes. The cataracts were not advanced at that time, so immediate surgery was not required. Throughout this period, CW experienced worsening blurriness in both eyes. In late 2023, after seeking a second opinion, an ophthalmologist confirmed his left eye was in a critical state and required surgery. After they discussed various intraocular lens (IOL) options, CW decided to proceed with a presbyopia- correcting IOL (PCIOL) for his right eye and a monofocal IOL for the left eye.
CW acknowledged he had no idea what the cataracts really meant in terms of the impact to his vision as he’d become accustomed to his vision and has adapted by adjusting screen brightness to extreme levels—up to 90—in order to see clearly. After the surgery, he adjusted his screen brightness level down to 30, demonstrating the difference that surgery brought to his life and how much he’d been living with compromised vision.
A Smooth Surgery Experience
It was natural for CW to feel apprehensive about the surgery and he researched online to better understand the procedure. Some of the videos he found online didn’t ease his concerns, so CW was pleasantly surprised by the reality of his experience, and the skill and professionalism of his ophthalmologist (Dr. Julien Theng) contributing to a positive outcome.
His second cataract surgery was performed a week later.
Trust in Alcon Lenses
During his consultation with CW, Dr. Julien Theng recommended Clareon® Vivity®. Discussing Vivity, Dr. Julien shared that it is a presbyopia-correcting IOL with wavefront-shaping technology that provides an extended depth of vision from intermediate to function near vision with a low disturbance profile.1,2
As an Alcon associate for over 20 years, CW had deep trust for Alcon products, which are known for their quality and safety. His online research affirmed this confidence as many patients shared their positive experiences using Clareon Vivity lenses.
Recovery Exceeded Expectations
The recovery process proved simpler than CW’s expectations. Originally, he was concerned whether he’d be able to carry on with daily activities. Except for limiting prolonged periods of screen time on his mobile device or laptop, he was able to perform his normal activities without issue. It was a painless recovery process, and he followed the surgeon’s instructions to apply eye drops every few hours.
Life After Cataract Surgery
Even four months post-surgery, CW’s vision was almost back to normal. He could see clearly without glasses. While he occasionally uses reading glasses for extended periods of focus, the need for eyeglasses diminished and his overall quality of life dramatically improved.
CW with and without his eyeglasses
Seeing Brilliantly, Living Brilliantly
CW regrets not going through the cataract surgery earlier, especially as his surgery took place after a trip to the Maldives where he could have enjoyed clearer vision to fully appreciate the beauty of his underwater experience.
CW encourages others not to delay their cataract surgery, especially if they enjoy an active lifestyle. "I never truly understood how blurry my vision was until after the surgery. The moment I opened my eyes, it felt like seeing the world in 4K resolution again after a really long time – literally an eye-opener,” he says.
"I never truly understood how blurry my vision was until after the surgery. The moment I opened my eyes, it felt like seeing the world in 4K resolution again after a really long time – literally an eye-opener,” he says.*
Today, "helping people See Brilliantly" is more than Alcon’s purpose. It’s a reflection of Alcon’s influence on now both his professional and personal life-changing experience.
About Wong Chiak Wu
Wong Chiak Wu (commonly known as CW) is the Vice President, Manufacturing Plant Management of Alcon Manufacturing & Logistics (AML) in Singapore. AML is a contact lenses manufacturing plant located at Tuas South Singapore. The two primary product lines manufactured by AML are Dailies® and Precision 1® contact lenses.
* This was the experience of one patient. Individual results may vary. The experience of one patient should not be an expectation of the experience of anyone else.
IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION
CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this device to the sale by or on the order of a physician.
INDICATIONS
The Clareon® Vivity™ Extended Vision Hydrophobic Posterior Chamber IOLs include Clareon® Vivity™ and Clareon® Vivity™ Toric IOLs and are indicated for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia in adult patients with < 1.00 D of preoperative corneal astigmatism, in whom a cataractous lens has been removed by extracapsular cataract extraction. The lens mitigates the effects of presbyopia by providing an extended depth of focus. Compared to an aspheric monofocal IOL, the lens provides improved intermediate and near visual acuity, while maintaining comparable distance visual acuity. The Clareon® Vivity™ IOL is intended for capsular bag placement only. In addition, the Clareon® Vivity™ Toric IOL is indicated for the reduction of residual refractive astigmatism in adult patients with pre-existing corneal astigmatism.
WARNINGS/PRECAUTIONS: Careful preoperative evaluation and sound clinical judgment should be
used by the surgeon to decide the risk/benefit ratio before implanting a lens in a patient with any of the
conditions described in the Directions for Use labeling.
This lens should not be implanted if the posterior capsule is ruptured, if the zonules are damaged, or if a
primary posterior capsulotomy is planned. Rotation can reduce astigmatic correction; if necessary lens
repositioning should occur as early as possible prior to lens encapsulation.
Most patients implanted with the Clareon® Vivity™ IOL are likely to experience significant loss of
contrast sensitivity as compared to a monofocal IOL. Therefore, it is essential that prospective patients be
fully informed of this risk before giving their consent for implantation of the Clareon® Vivity™ IOL. In
addition, patients should be warned that they will need to exercise caution when engaging in activities that require good vision in dimly lit environments, such as driving at night or in poor visibility conditions,
especially in the presence of oncoming traffic.
It is possible to experience very bothersome visual disturbances, significant enough that the patient could
request explant of the IOL. In the parent AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ IOL clinical study, 1% to 2% of AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ IOL patients reported very bothersome starbursts, halos, blurred vision, or dark area visual disturbances; however, no explants were reported.
Prior to surgery, physicians should provide prospective patients with a copy of the Patient Information
Brochure available from Alcon informing them of possible risks and benefits associated with the Clareon® Vivity™ IOLs.
ATTENTION: Reference the Directions for Use labeling for each IOL for a complete listing of indications,
warnings and precautions.
References
1.Bala C, et al. Multi-country clinical outcomes of a new nondiffractive presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2022;48(2):136-143.
2. McCabe C, et al. Clinical outcomes in a U.S. registration study of a new EDOF intraocular lens with a non-diffractive design. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2022;48(11):1297-1304. doi:10.1097/j. jcrs.0000000000000978
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