He took a visual acuity test which uses an eye chart test that measures how well you see at various distances and a Glare Disability Test where there is the measurement of visual function in the clinic performed under ideal conditions of daytime ("photopic") lighting and the absence of extraneous light sources. He said I developed cataracts due to my ‘old’ age. I’m not even old, only 52!

The doctor said it’s called a nuclear cataract that forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes. He said that I can have the cataract surgically removed by using a regular single-vision (monofocal) intraocular lens or a presbyopia-correcting (multifocal) intraocular lens in the eye in place of my clouded natural lens since it was not fully developed. What a blessing!

Other than that, he told me a lot of information but I was not listening because I was still absorbing the fact that my eye… But, I have decided that I need to know more about my condition so I researched a lot on this disease.

My eye

The lens is mostly made up of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a specific way to keep the lens clear and allow light pass through. As we age, some protein may cluster and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and eventually, it may grow bigger and cloud more of the lens, making it harder to see. Thankfully, it cannot spread from one eye to the other. I’ve also found that people can have an age-related cataract in their 40s and 50s.

How we view things:

I should have taken care of my eyes.

From what I researched, many studies suggest that exposure to ultraviolet light will cause cataract development, so eyecare practitioners recommend wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to lessen your exposure. Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution and heavy alcohol consumption. Also, eating a lot of salt may increase your risk.

Some preventive measures will include:

• a diet high in antioxidants, such as vitamin A, selenium and vitamins C and E

• stop smoking

• wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to block ultraviolet sunlight

• If you are age 60 or older, it’s better to go for a comprehensive dilate eye test or a check up once every two years. It is also advisable to go for other check ups to test for other disease.

So people reading this, I hope you will take care of your eyes and learnt something from me!

Recently, I realised that my vision has become blur.

I think it could be the amount of work stress, or perhaps due to the glaring, bright lights of the sun and lamps in the office. And, I never had poor night version before, but just yesterday night, I snubbed my big toe by a chair that had always been there!

Ouch!

Gotta end here. Piles of work left to be done. Ciao!