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.