Comprehensive Guide to Cataracts
Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment in Korea

Cataracts develop gradually and often start with mild vision changes. The most common symptoms of cataracts include cloudy vision, where objects appear blurry or hazy, even with glasses.

You may also notice increased light sensitivity, halos around lights, and difficulty seeing clearly at night. Some patients experience monocular double vision in one eye or colors appearing dull and less vivid.

If these symptoms persist or worsen, an eye examination is important to check for cataracts and determine the right treatment.

Inside the eye, there is a natural lens that focuses light precisely.
This lens should be clear and transparent, like a camera lens, to provide sharp vision.

However, due to aging, injury, or inflammation, the lens can gradually become cloudy.
When this happens, vision becomes blurred—similar to looking through a foggy or dusty camera lens.

This condition is called a cataract.

Normal Eye

Clear and transparent natural lens

Cataract

Clouded and opaque natural lens

As cataracts progress, vision may appear blurry overall, and clarity decreases even in bright environments. It may feel like looking through a fogged window, and vision does not improve even after changing glasses.

Ultimately, cataracts are not just a simple decrease in vision, but a structural change in the eye, which is why accurate diagnosis and proper management are important.

Key Risk Factors for Cataracts

Several factors can increase the risk of developing cataracts by damaging the proteins in the eye’s natural lens, causing it to become cloudy over time.

• Aging (40+)

  he most common cause. As we age, lens proteins naturally break down and lose transparency.

• Diabetes

  High blood sugar can accelerate changes in the lens, increasing the risk of cataracts and affecting overall eyesight.

• Excessive Sunlight (UV Exposure)

  Long-term exposure to UV rays can damage lens proteins and contribute to earlier cataract formation.

• Smoking

  Oxidative stress from smoking speeds up protein damage inside the lens.

• Prolonged Steroid Use

  Long-term use of steroid medications can alter the structure of the lens and increase cataract risk.

These key risk factors contribute to the gradual breakdown and clumping of lens proteins, leading to blurred or cloudy vision over time.

Cataract Self-Diagnosis

Cataracts often develop slowly, making them easy to overlook in the early stages. Many people mistake the symptoms for simple aging or eye fatigue. If you notice several of the following signs in your daily life, a detailed eye examination is recommended.

• Blurry Vision

  Even with new glasses, vision remains unclear and appears hazy overall.

• Temporary Improvement in Near Vision

  You may suddenly find it easier to read close objects without glasses, but overall vision quality becomes unstable. This can occur as the lens changes shape and refractive power.

• Day Blindness (Light Sensitivity)

  Eyes become more sensitive to bright light, causing discomfort outdoors, while vision may feel relatively better in dim environments.

• Glare and Halos Around Lights

  Lights may appear scattered or overly bright, especially at night when driving.

• Monocular Double Vision

  Covering one eye still results in double or overlapping images.

Cataracts and presbyopia are both common aging eye conditions, but the causes and symptoms are clearly different.
The key differences are:

Quick Comparison of Cataract vs. Presbyopia

Cataracts can develop for different reasons and may vary depending on the underlying cause and progression. Understanding the types of cataracts helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

Accurate diagnosis is essential for safe and successful cataract surgery. At EYE Plus Clinic, a university-level diagnostic system is used to precisely analyze each patient’s eye condition and design a customized surgical plan.

We utilize advanced equipment such as the IOL Master 700 and AL-SCAN to perform detailed measurements of the eye, ensuring high accuracy and predictable outcomes.

Precise Biometric Measurement with IOL Master 700

The IOL Master 700 uses swept-source OCT technology to measure the eye’s length, corneal curvature, and anterior chamber depth with exceptional precision. These measurements are critical for selecting the correct intraocular lens (IOL) power, directly affecting post-surgery vision quality.

Comprehensive Analysis with AL-SCAN

The AL-SCAN provides fast and accurate biometric data, including axial length and corneal parameters. By combining multiple data points, it helps improve the reliability of surgical planning and reduces the risk of refractive errors after surgery.

Customized Surgical Planning Through Precision Diagnostics

All diagnostic results are carefully analyzed to determine the most suitable surgical method and intraocular lens for each patient. This **precision diagnostics** approach allows for safer procedures, better visual outcomes, and long-term stability after cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery in Korea is generally covered under the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS Korea), depending on the patient’s eligibility and the medical necessity of the procedure. If the cataract significantly affects vision and daily life, a portion of the surgery cost may be reimbursed through bnational health insurance Korea for foreigners who are enrolled in NHIS.

However, coverage may vary depending on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) used. Standard monofocal lenses are typically covered, while premium lenses (such as multifocal or toric IOLs) may require additional out-of-pocket payment.

For those with private insurance (medical reimbursement / “Silson”), it is important that the procedure is clearly documented as a medical treatment rather than a cosmetic or elective procedure. Insurance approval often depends on whether the cataract diagnosis and treatment purpose are properly stated in medical records.