Reinerio LagdameoReinerio Lagdameo was 72 years old when he was diagnosed with cataract.

“I was experiencing cloudy and double vision in my right eye. I was also sensitive to light and had difficulty seeing at night. That’s why I decided to go to my eye doctor to have it checked,” Lagdameo shares.

Cataract is an age-related eye condition that occurs when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy.

Asian Eye Institute glaucoma and cataract specialist Dr. Edgar Leuenberger explains: “Cataract blocks the light from passing through clearly, so patients experience cloudy or blurry vision.

“Cataracts form slowly, so it does not have early warning signs,” Leuenberger adds. “As it advances, that is when cataract patients notice symptoms like what Mr. Lagdameo experienced. They may also find themselves needing brighter light when reading, seeing halos around lights, frequently changing eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions or seeing bright colors as faded or yellow.”

A common cause of blindness in people over age 60, cataracts can also develop when a person has had an eye injury, past eye surgery or has medical conditions, like diabetes. They cannot be removed by using eye drops or wearing eyeglasses, but only through surgery.

“Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Before, we do this manually through a procedure called phacoemulsication, but now, we can perform bladeless cataract surgery using the VICTUS Femtolaser technology,” explains Leuenberger.

Manufactured by Bausch + Lomb, the VICTUS Femtolaser technology simplifies the procedure by performing three critical steps: creating an incision in the cornea, creating an opening in the capsule that holds the cataract, and breaking the cataract into smaller pieces.

“Some cataracts are hard to break manually,” says Leuenberger. “But through VICTUS Femtolaser, the cataract is broken efficiently so it is easier to remove. Less energy is then required to remove it.”

Lagdameo expressed his satisfaction after his surgery.

faction after his surgery. “For me, the surgery was a total success. After I underwent VICTUS Femtolaser cataract surgery, I can now see better! I’m thankful Dr. Leuenberger saved my eyesight.”

Leuenberger says that there’s no way to prevent cataracts, but he advises patients: “Have your eyes checked every year for signs of age-related eye conditions like cataracts, especially if you’re over 60 years old. This is the best way to protect your eyes. It would also help if you quit smoking, manage your health problems if you’re a diabetic or hypertensive, and eat healthy. Always remember to wear UV-protected sunglasses when going outdoors.”(Story/Photos by: Charizze Henson)