Cataract & Glaucoma
Cataracts, which appear as a cloudy haze, Glaucoma, which silently steals your vision.
Even though the names might be similar, these are completely different diseases.
- Cataracts: A condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. It causes blurred vision and increased glare. Vision can be restored through surgery (lens replacement), and it is a very safe procedure.
- Glaucoma: A disease that gradually damages the optic nerve. Because symptoms are often absent until the late stages, it's known as the "silent thief of sight." Once vision is lost, it cannot be recovered, so early detection is crucial.
For individuals aged 40 or older, having an intraocular pressure and fundus examination every 1-2 years is the only way to detect glaucoma. If you have high myopia or a family history of glaucoma, start screening even earlier.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Glaucoma eye drops require lifelong management.
The basic treatment for glaucoma involves using eye drops daily, for a lifetime, to lower intraocular pressure. If you skip the eye drops even when there are no symptoms, your vision will gradually narrow. Create strategies (like pairing it with brushing your teeth or tying a string around your finger) and set alarms to remember to use the eye drops, and don't miss your regular eye exams. If you suddenly experience severe eye pain, headache, and vomiting, it could be an acute glaucoma attack, requiring immediate emergency room treatment.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to have cataract surgery?
The appropriate time for surgery is when vision deterioration makes daily activities (driving, reading) difficult. If left untreated for too long and the condition becomes severe, surgery may become more challenging, so it's important to schedule regular check-ups to determine the optimal timing. Be sure to fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of non-covered options such as multifocal intraocular lenses before making a choice.
My eyes feel dry and blurry; could it be glaucoma?
Glaucoma often has very few noticeable symptoms in its early stages. While dryness can usually be attributed to dry eye syndrome, glaucoma is a condition where "no symptoms means everything is okay" simply doesn't apply. Therefore, the best approach is to have it checked through an examination.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-13)Last checked: 2026년 8월 13일
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