CREDIT : ( REPRODUCED FROM PATIENT PICTURES : OPHTHALMOLOGY , HEALTH PRESS , OXFORD 2001 . ILLUSTRATED BY DEE MCLEAN

CREDIT : NIH NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

Lens becomes cloudy ( a cataract )

and cataract is in the way . For example , people get damage to the retina due to diabetes . If you need surgery for any other condition , your doctor may then recommend that it would be better to have the cataract removed at the same sitting .”

“ If your health is generally poor ,

VITRECTOMY is when the Vitreo-Retinal surgeon removes the vitreous , a gel-like substance that fills the centre of the eye . Those who need a vitrectomy may include those with retinal detachment , vitreous haemorrhage ( bleeding in the eye ), dropped nucleus ( a complication of cataract surgery ), macular hole , epiretinal

surgery may have more risks ,” he said .

He suggested patients who decide against surgery to get new glasses , have brighter lighting at home especially where reading and when going out in bright sunlight , to use an anti-glare sunglass or a hat with a brim to prevent glare from lights and the sun .

membrane and diabetic tractional detachment ( TRD ).

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal surgeon Dr Manoharan Shunmugam emphasised that during a vitrectomy , the doctor makes a tiny incision in the sclera ( white of the eye ). Next , a small instrument is placed into the eye to remove the vitreous .

How is a vitrectomy performed ?

Modern vitrectomies require sophisticated machinery and are performed through three needle-sized incisions made in the white part of the eye .

“ These are so small they frequently do not even need stitches after . One incision is used to inject fluid into the eye to keep it inflated . The other two openings are used for the instruments , namely a light-pipe ( fibre-optic illumination ) and a high-speed cutter which cuts and sucks the jelly out simultaneously .”

After performing all required surgical manoeuvers , the eye may be filled with a tamponade ; air , gas or oil . Air and gas dissipates into the blood with time and can take days to weeks depending on the type of gas used . Oil however remains in the eye until it is removed at another sitting . The choice of tamponade depends on the surgeon , the severity of the condition and circumstances .

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Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal surgeon Dr Manoharan

Shunmugam explained that on average this takes three instillations of the drops and a wait of around 20 to 30 minutes .

The effects of the drops last for around four hours and will blur your vision especially for near reading . Driving is not advisable after you ’ ve had your pupils dilated .

YOUR doctor may prescribe eye drops which may need to be used just for a few days or a few weeks .

All eye drops are different and come with different storage instructions so do take a minute to read the included leaflet . This should also have useful information about the type of medication contained in the drops . Never leave eye drops in direct sunlight or in very hot locations such as a car parked in the sun .

Most drops should be thrown away 28 days after opening the tube or bottle - some bottles last longer but check to ensure if this is the case . TIP :

• Write the date of opening on your bottle so you know when it should be discarded .

• Single-dose preservative-free drops should be discarded after use .

• Do not use any eye drops after their expiry date .

Example of an eye with stye .

EYESIGHT plays a big role to contributing to the quality of life .

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal surgeon Dr Manoharan Shunmugam stressed that regular check-ups are essential to ensure that there are no conditions affecting the eyes . According to him , those who need a regular check up are :

• All newborn babies

• Children between the age of four and 12

• Children who wear glasses

• Children who appear to have difficulty at school or other tasks like watching television

• Anyone over 40 years old

• All diabetics

• Anyone with a family history of an eye condition such as Glaucoma

• Anyone with high spectacles power ( or high astigmatism )