Phaco surgery for the treatment of cataracts.

According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam currently has approximately 2 million blind people. Notably, one-third of them are poor and lack access to healthcare services. Meanwhile, 80% of the causes of blindness are preventable and treatable. The leading cause of blindness is cataracts (accounting for over 66%), followed by age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, refractive errors, etc.

A Phaco surgery was performed at Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital.

One of the current difficulties in the examination and treatment of eye diseases is that many local primary healthcare facilities lack sufficient equipment and ophthalmologists. Therefore, people in need of treatment have to travel to higher-level hospitals or specialized eye hospitals.

Dr. Hoang Vinh Ha, Director of Professional Services at Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital, said that the lens is a transparent, biconvex lens. Due to aging, trauma, etc., this lens becomes cloudy, causing patients to have reduced vision, eventually leading to blindness. With the remarkable progress of medicine, cataracts are now treated quite simply and safely using the Phaco surgery method.

Accordingly, in a very short time, high-frequency ultrasound waves will break down the damaged lens into many small fragments. These fragments will be suctioned out through a very small incision of about 2.2mm on the surface of the patient's cornea. After that, the doctor will implant an artificial lens, restoring clear vision to the patient the next day.

Artificial intraocular lenses can last a lifetime without replacement, as long as no complications occur. This is thanks to the fact that the lenses are made from high-quality materials such as PMMA plastic, silicone, or acrylic, which are highly durable and have good biocompatibility. These materials have been rigorously tested by leading global health organizations, ensuring their safety and long-term effectiveness.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, more than 10 million cataract surgeries using artificial lenses are performed worldwide each year, with a success rate of up to 97%. In particular, modern technology has developed multifocal lenses, providing patients with good vision at near, intermediate, and far distances. These lenses also reduce glare, minimize halos, and protect against blue light and ultraviolet rays, offering optimal safety and convenience.

“People who experience unusual eye symptoms such as blurred vision, glare, or persistent eye pain should immediately go to medical facilities with ophthalmology departments or specialized eye hospitals for timely examination and treatment to avoid dangerous complications that could lead to blindness. Hanoi - Dong Nai Eye Hospital currently has many preferential programs for people undergoing Phaco surgery to treat cataracts. In particular, the hospital has a policy of free surgery for people from impoverished households, those who have contributed to the revolution, and people with disabilities,” shared Dr. Vinh Ha.

An Yen

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202503/phau-thuat-phaco-dieu-tri-benh-duc-thuy-tinh-the-6945dc8/