The wonder of sight and technology

 

Right Eye after Cataract Surgery 

Today 30th June I will go for my second procedure, for cataract surgery. Last week on the 23rd I underwent the procedure at Mt. Alvernia Hospital. I rested for 7 days (minimal activity and occasional outgoings) and today is my second procedure.

I feel very blessed and happy to have a top notch surgeon, I will not reveal his name at the present time. Medical Technology and advanced science  means that with the procedure, most if not all of my sight will be restored.

In the coming days, weeks, months and years, I have made a promise to myself to practise excellent eye hygiene, learn eye exercises, cultivate good eye habits and have appropriate and ample time for rest.  One of the most precious gifts God has endowed us, the gift of sight is to be treasured for us all,  as  long as we are alive.    

After my first medical with the opthamologist 

Carpe Diem. 

Thoughts on Aging - Cataracts

Today 23rd June, I am scheduled for an elective surgery, cataracts. I have had declining eyesight for the last 1 and a half years. I had a check at the Singapore Eye Centre at the end of  2023 (December) and the Senior Consultant Opthamologist had indicated that I had the beginnings of cataracts, a thin film across the lens on one eye, which clouds light rays entering the retina, which if they were not treated in time, can completely cover the lens and render one blind.

My initial solution was to minimise my outdoor activities, and use as much of the sunglasses (I own numerous pairs of Oakleys), but over the years, the vision especially at night, as well as going from a light to a dark place has deteriorated. The old Scout song comes to my mind :

"My eyes are dim I cannot see, I have not brought my specs with me... "

For a while I tried to decelerate the downward performance by taking lots of lutein tablets on a daily basis.

Of course, that eventuality is normally decades in the making, and depending on the health of the person, most people opt to go for cataract surgery in their late 60s to early or mid 70s. It is not uncommon for people around my age to have had their cataracts done early. I know easily a dozen individuals who have had theirs done in their late 50s to my age.

Cataracts are most commonly resolved (thanks to modern medical technology !) through surgery and I opted to be seen by a top eye clinic in Singapore. The surgery involves removing the old lens of the individual and replacing them with new intraocular lenses, with life spans of easily 40 to 50 years. 

I am thankful for my team at my business who will cover for my duties as well as having supportive family and friends who have given me hopeful wishes to a speedy recovery as well as their own personal experiences for post op recovery.

I intend to take the safest recovery for the next 2 - 4 weeks and God willing my eyes will be better in the weeks, months and years ahead.

My thoughts on aging ?

It is inevitable. Is age just a number ? I think no. There are numerous proofs which indicate that while one may look young, in actual fact, the body accumulates lots of 'bad stuff' through years and years through the slow build up.

a) ultraprocessed foods

b) sugar

c) salt

d) smoke and VOCs.

e) alcohol

f) fatty foods.

So my blog is an ongoing reminder to me and my readers to seize the moment, the day and to make good of my potential for my successors in the years to come.

SCALED - From Kelong to Table 2025

 

Deep fried Sea Bass Cheek with Curry Seasoning (KFC or Kelong Fried Collar)

At a recent school get together with old class and schoolmates, we had an unforgettable meal at SCALED by Ah Hua Kelong. Located at 8 Hamilton Road, this restaurant was dimly lit from the main road, and I had some trouble parking at the nearby Jalan Besar Stadium.

Mussels in Curry 

The mussels in curry was flavourful, and the mantous (normally used for Chilli Crab) gave this a nice Indian Chinese fusion taste and feel to it. I would say that it lacked some 'oomph' in that the curry could have been more viscous and thick. The one we ate was rather spread thin. 

Smoked Seabass Pate with Sourdough Bread 

The star of the show to me was the Smoked Sea Bass Pate, with Sourdough bread, caramelised onions and pickled garlic. I had 2 portions, it was so good. The pate was flavouful, and sourdough bread a bit on the buttery side, and the caramalised onions toppings were to write home for.

I would come back again to try this dish. 

We had a couple more outstanding dishes which unfortunately I did not have the time to take a photo but the Seafood Glace Risotto was outstanding. The risotto was actually barley and it had the freshest prawns, and some scallops inside it.

Another dish, the Prawn Dashi Aglio Olio, with roasted prawns, fried prawn head and prawn stock was another winner, though rather oily.  

For all of the mains and starters, its best eaten with a group of friends, and with a hearty round of drinks and catching up - just as in my case.

Panna Cotta 

To end off our meal, we had the panna cotta, the panna cotta came topped with a sour plum meringue. The sweet doughy biscotti was a nice add on too.