Rapid 15-minute cataract procedure eliminates need for glasses, restoring full vision for 62-year-old patient

Prompted by a television-based eye test, Mr Nguyen Thanh Muoi (62-year-old, Tay Ninh Province) was alarmed to find he could barely discern the screen with his right eye, with significant blurring in his left. A subsequent consultation at FV Hospital confirmed a diagnosis of bilateral cataracts; following a 15-minute procedure, he achieved excellent visual acuity.

Mr Nguyen Thanh Muoi’s vision recovered rapidly following surgery. Image: FV

A self-administered eye test reveals an unexpected diagnosis

Working in the rice export sector, Mr Muoi relies on excellent vision for quality control and managing substantial amounts of paperwork. While he had experienced a gradual decline in visual acuity, he had initially attributed this to the natural ageing process, ignoring the symptoms until they began to impact his professional and personal life.

Dr Hoang Chi Tam examining the patient. Image: FV

Dr Hoang Chi Tam, Specialist Level II, Deputy Head of Ophthalmology and Refractive Surgery Department, FV Hospital, diagnosed bilateral cataracts during his assessment. Cataracts are a common, progressive condition among middle-aged and older adults. They tend to progress silently, and can significantly affect quality of life if left untreated.

A “mix-and-match” approach to phacoemulsification, tailoring vision for each eye

During his consultation, Mr Muoi expressed his desire to minimise his reliance on glasses while maintaining visual acuity at various distances. To achieve this, the FV surgical team devised a bespoke treatment plan using a “mix-and-match” strategy, selecting distinct intraocular lenses (IOLs) for each eye to optimise his visual range and overall quality of sight after the procedure.

“The clinical presentation of his right eye necessitated a monofocal lens to optimise distance vision,” Dr Hoang Chi Tam explained. “For the left eye, we selected an Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) lens, which is better suited to his requirement for near-vision tasks, such as reading documents, and reduces his dependence on glasses.”

Dr Tam describes this as a ‘mix-and-match’ strategy, which uses a combination of intraocular lenses to tailor visual outcomes to the patient’s specific lifestyle needs. This approach not only effectively treats the cataract but also optimises both distance and near vision, reducing the patient’s reliance on spectacles after surgery.

Phacoemulsification surgery for cataract treatment, performed in an operating theatre meeting JCI international infection control standards. Image: FV

His procedure was carried out in an operating theatre meeting JCI international infection control standards. He received local anaesthesia, and the entire procedure was completed in approximately 15 minutes.

“I felt absolutely no pain or discomfort at all. I have great confidence in the team at FV, having had my health monitored here for nearly ten years,” Mr Muoi said after the surgery.

He was monitored briefly after surgery and discharged the same day. At his first follow-up appointment, his vision had recovered well, allowing him to resume his daily activities with ease.

“Before the surgery, my vision was extremely blurred. Even with glasses, things still weren’t clear. Now I can drive, play sports, and go about my daily life normally, without needing glasses at all. What pleases me most is that I can see clearly at both distance and near range, with no glare or halos at all,” Mr Muoii said with  satisfaction.

Notably, phacoemulsification surgery for cataracts is included on the list of procedures reimbursed under Social Health Insurance at FV Hospital, subject to the patient’s individual benefit rate.

Cataract surgery with simultaneous refractive correction

According to Dr Hoang Chi Tam,  modern cataract surgery has evolved beyond simple lens removal: “Thanks to advances in modern intraocular lens technology, we can simultaneously correct certain refractive errors, such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), or astigmatism within the very same procedure. What matters most is choosing the right solution for each patient’s lifestyle and visual expectations.”

For patients with underlying comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hypertension, FV’s multidisciplinary clinical team also conducts a thorough pre-operative assessment to manage these conditions and ensure maximum safety throughout the procedure.

Ophthalmologists recommend that adults over 50 undergo regular eye examinations to enable early detection of cataracts and other common age-related eye conditions. Timely treatment not only restores vision but also helps preserve long-term quality of life.

Dr Tam conducting the patient’s post-operative eye examination. Image: FV

For more information about cataract surgery, please call (028) 35 11 33 33, extension 2000, to arrange a consultation at FV Hospital, or visit us in person at 6 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City.