Rediscovering Clear Vision: Puan Rohana's Cataract Surgery Experience

"I thought my vision was still good enough."

For Puan Rohana, the changes happened so gradually that she barely noticed them at first. Colours seemed a little less vibrant, reading required more effort, and driving no longer felt as comfortable as it once had.

Like many people living with cataracts, she adapted to these changes without realising how much her vision had deteriorated. It was only after treatment that she understood just how much of the world she had been missing.

When Vision Changes Become Easy to Ignore
In 2024, Puan Rohana underwent cataract surgery for her first eye. The procedure was successful, and life continued as normal.

However, when similar symptoms began affecting her second eye, she recognised the warning signs. Rather than rushing into treatment, she took time to understand her options.

"I like to do my own research first," she shared.

Puan Rohana explored the different approaches available for cataract treatment, including Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) and conventional cataract surgery. She carefully considered how each option would fit her lifestyle and long-term visual needs.

At the time, her cataract was only about 30% to 40% dense. Technically, surgery could have been postponed. But knowing that treatment would eventually become necessary, she questioned whether waiting would offer any real benefit.

"I thought, why wait until it gets worse when I already know I'll need to treat it eventually?" she recalled.

After discussing her options and receiving assurance that medical support would be available throughout the process, Puan Rohana decided to proceed with surgery.

Seeking Treatment with Confidence
For her care, Puan Rohana consulted Dr Joseph Chong Wern Yih, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon at Ara Damansara Eye Specialist by ADMC. Although this was not her first cataract procedure, she admitted to feeling anxious before surgery.

Knowing she would remain awake during the operation made her understandably nervous. However, the reassurance provided by Dr Joseph and the nursing team helped ease her concerns.

"Dr Joseph explained every step as it happened, so I never had to guess what was coming next," she said.

One moment, in particular, left a lasting impression.

Just before the surgery began, Dr Joseph quietly recited Bismillah together with the nurses in the operating theatre.

"It was such a simple thing to say, but it touched me deeply. I felt so understood," Puan Rohana reflected.

Dr Joseph Chong Wern Yih, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, who performed the surgery.

The Road to Recovery
Following surgery, Puan Rohana diligently followed her recovery plan.

For the first week, she set alarms every two hours to ensure she did not miss her prescribed eye drops. She also made temporary adjustments to her daily routine while her eye pressure stabilised, including modifying the way she performed her prayers.

Despite these precautions, her recovery progressed smoothly.

Three weeks later, she had fully healed.

For the first time in a long while, she no longer needed separate pairs of glasses to compensate for the difference in vision between her two eyes.

Seeing the World Differently
The most unexpected change was not sharper vision, it was colour.

"I've never seen blue look so blue!"

What had once seemed normal now appeared remarkably different. Without realising it, she had gradually become accustomed to a world that was less vibrant.

According to Dr Joseph, cataracts cause the eye's natural lens to become increasingly cloudy and yellow over time, affecting both contrast sensitivity and colour perception.

"As the lens becomes more yellowed and cloudier over time, patients will experience a subtle change in colour perception and increased glare, which is often only fully recognised after surgery restores a clear optical pathway and normal light transmission," he explained.

For Puan Rohana, the restoration of colour served as a powerful reminder of how significantly cataracts can affect vision, even when the changes occur gradually.

Looking Ahead
Today, Puan Rohana has successfully recovered from her cataract surgery and has returned to her normal daily activities with renewed confidence.

Reflecting on her experience, she encourages others not to dismiss the subtle signs of cataracts.

According to her, many people adapt to fading vision so gradually that they begin to accept it as normal.

"You get used to the dimness and start thinking that's just how life is supposed to look."

Her story serves as a reminder that cataracts do not always cause sudden vision loss. Often, the changes happen slowly, making them easy to overlook. Seeking medical attention early can help patients understand their options and preserve their quality of life before vision becomes a daily struggle.

Today, Puan Rohana is enjoying the simple pleasures of clearer sight and brighter colours, appreciating the world around her in a way she had almost forgotten was possible.