PRESBYOPIA · CATARACT

Before cataract sets in,
treat presbyopia in your 40s–50s

In your 60s, presbyopia and cataract progress together. It is better to have presbyopia surgery before then.

WHY OLIM CATARACT

A doctor who has researched cataract
sees you himself

Dr. Lee Ki-il, Medical Director, received the Taejun Academic Paper Award from the Korean University Ophthalmology Society for research on cataract and posterior corneal astigmatism. From lens power calculation to surgical equipment, cataract surgery follows set criteria.

POINT 01

Cataract · posterior corneal astigmatism:
an award for research

Adjunct Professor at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital; full member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (KSCRS).

Taejun Academic Paper Award
ASCRS · KSCRS
Adjunct Professor, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital

Diagnostic · IOL power measurementIOL Master 700

POINT 02

Lens power,
measured precisely without contact

The intraocular lens power that shapes your outcome is calculated with the IOL Master 700, without touching your eye.

IOL Master 700
Non-contact measurement

Surgical · Femtosecond laserVICTUS Femtosecond Laser

POINT 03

Laser and ultrasound:
two devices

We operate with the VICTUS femtosecond laser and the ALCON CENTURION ultrasound cataract system. Small incisions make stitch-free surgery possible.

VICTUS
ALCON CENTURION
Zeiss LUMERA i

Every patient gets a one-on-one treatment plan,
and after the exam, we recommend only the surgery you need.
OLIM Eye Clinic Gangnam’s principle of care

DIFFERENCE

Presbyopia and cataract
have different causes

Both begin with aging of the lens, but their symptoms and causes differ. Presbyopia is a weakening of the ability to focus up close; cataract is clouding of the lens.

	Presbyopia	Cataract
Cause	Reduced focusing ability of the lens	Clouding of the lens
Symptoms	Hard to see up close; blurry, farsighted-like symptoms	Hazy as if in fog; poor vision both near and far
In common	Age-related vision problems linked to changes in the lens	Age-related vision problems linked to changes in the lens

SELF CHECK

If 3 or more apply, get an eye exam

Presbyopia self-check

0/ 7

Tap the items that apply to you

Three or more apply. An eye exam can tell you exactly where things stand.

Submit request

Cataract self-check

0/ 7

Tap the items that apply to you

Three or more apply. An eye exam can tell you exactly where things stand.

Submit request

CAUSE

What causes cataract?

CongenitalPresent from birth
The cause is usually unknown; genetics, infection in the womb or metabolic disorders may be responsible.
AcquiredDevelops later in life
Age-related cataract is the most common; injury, systemic disease and eye inflammation can also cause it.

EQUIPMENT

Presbyopia & cataract surgery equipment

Surgical · Femtosecond laserVICTUS Femtosecond Laser

A femtosecond laser for cataract surgery, designed for quick recovery and high corrected vision. It is also used for Black LASIK and laser corneal transplants.

Surgical · Cataract surgeryALCON CENTURION

An intelligent ultrasound cataract surgery system. Its micro-incision allows suture-free surgery with very little pain or bleeding.

Surgical · Surgical microscopeZeiss LUMERA i

A surgical microscope with high-resolution imaging and precise illumination; real-time digital images help improve surgical accuracy.

Diagnostic · IOL power measurementIOL Master 700

Precisely calculates the power of the intraocular lens for cataract surgery, without touching the eye.

VISION

First, we identify
the cause of blurry vision

Blurriness can mean presbyopia, where the eye’s focusing power has weakened, or cataract, where the lens has turned cloudy, and the approach differs for each. Our exam looks beyond your vision score to the state of your lens, changes in your vision, and how much close-up work, driving and nighttime activity is part of your day.

Lens conditionChanges in visionDaily habits

SURGERY

Cataract surgery
follows these steps

The clouded lens is removed and an intraocular lens is placed in its position. For presbyopia and cataract surgery, we use the VICTUS femtosecond laser and the Alcon CENTURION ultrasound system.

Detailed exam
The size and shape of your eye are measured to choose the intraocular lens. Lens power is calculated with the IOL Master 700.
Preparing for surgery
Please tell us about all the medicines you take. You may be asked to pause medicines that affect bleeding, and antibiotic eye drops may be used to prevent infection.
Surgery
After numbing eye drops, the clouded lens is broken into small pieces and removed, and the intraocular lens is inserted. Most patients stay awake throughout.
Recovery check
You rest briefly in the recovery room, and go home after your eyes are checked. You can’t drive that day, so please come with a companion if you can.

LENS

How is an intraocular lens chosen?

An intraocular lens stays in your eye once it is placed. That is why it matters to choose carefully, matching the lens to the characteristics of your eye.

	Monofocal	Extended depth of focus (EDOF)	Trifocal
Focus	One distance (usually far)	Far · intermediate	Near · intermediate · far
Reading glasses	Needed for intermediate and near	Needed for near	Aims to reduce reliance in most daily activities
Glare and halos	Relatively few	Relatively few	May occur
Suited to	For those who want sharp vision at one set distance	For those who rely on intermediate and far vision, such as computer work and driving	For those who want to wear glasses less, from reading to driving

The distance you use most: reading, smartphone, computer or driving
Whether you drive often at night and are concerned about glare
The current state of your eyes, such as cornea and retina, as found in the exam
The distances at which you don’t mind wearing glasses

RECOVERY

Recovery after surgery
takes several weeks

Day of surgery
You receive eye drops to aid recovery and, if needed, wear a protective shield or glasses. Do not drive yourself.
Days 1–2
Your eyes may itch, feel gritty or be sensitive to light. This usually eases within a day or two.
For several weeks
Don’t touch or rub your eyes. Also avoid bending over deeply or lifting heavy objects.
About 8 weeks
Most people recover by around this time. After that, glasses or contact lens prescriptions are updated if needed.

CAUTION

Contact us right away
if you notice these symptoms

Like any surgery, cataract surgery carries risks such as swelling, bleeding, infection, changes in eye pressure and retinal detachment. The sooner a problem is treated the better, so please don’t miss your follow-up visits.

Your vision suddenly drops
Severe pain that doesn’t ease with medicine
Your eye becomes very red
A sudden increase in flashes or floating spots and threads

CARE

Everyday care

01Block UV light
Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat when outdoors.
02No smoking · less alcohol
Smoking and heavy drinking are known to raise the risk of cataract.
03Screen breaks
After long periods on your smartphone or monitor, look into the distance to rest your eyes’ focus.
04Regular checkups
Manage systemic conditions such as diabetes too, and get checked if vision changes keep recurring.

RAISE YOUR VIEW. FOR LIFE.

One building.
Your eyes, for life.

From a child’s first Dream Lens to vision correction, eye-area care and presbyopia surgery. An eye clinic you’ll have a reason to return to at every age.

Growing yearsChildren and parents
We help manage myopia in growing eyes.
Dream Lens MiSight Comprehensive Eye Exam
20s–30sVision correction
A first step toward seeing without glasses or contacts.
5th-gen SMILE LASIK · LASEK ICL Dry Eye Care
30s–40sEye area and eye comfort
Care for eyes and eye areas worn out by screens.
VDT Care Skin Care Eye Ring Surgery Diet
50s and upPresbyopia and eye health
Presbyopia and cataract, plus the optic nerve and retina.
Presbyopia · Cataract Glaucoma Retina Conjunctivochalasis

FAQ

For anything else, ask us on WhatsApp.

Can presbyopia and cataract happen together?

Yes. Both are changes related to the aging of the lens, so by your 60s they often progress together. If close-up text looks blurry and your vision is also hazy with more glare, have both checked.

Can eye drops or glasses improve cataract?

Early on, changing your glasses prescription or using brighter lighting can ease discomfort. But no drops or glasses can make a clouded lens clear again; surgery is the way to remove a cataract.

When is the right time for surgery?

When daily activities such as reading, driving or watching TV become uncomfortable, discuss surgery with your doctor. If the cataract advances and the lens hardens, surgery can become more difficult, so timing should be decided while tracking progress with regular checkups.

Are both eyes operated on at once?

Usually each eye is operated on separately, on different days. The interval between the two eyes is decided by the medical team based on your eye condition and recovery.

Will I no longer need glasses after surgery?

It depends on which intraocular lens is used. With a monofocal lens, you need reading glasses for distances other than the one it is set for; with an EDOF lens, you may need reading glasses for near. Glasses prescriptions are sometimes updated after recovery.

Can vision become cloudy again after surgery?

Weeks to years after surgery, the membrane behind the intraocular lens can become cloudy, called posterior capsule opacification. In that case, it is treated with a laser.

Wondering which option suits your eyes?

Our director reviews your results and explains them in person.

Submit request WhatsApp +82 10-2269-7929

Before cataract sets in,treat presbyopia in your 40s–50s

A doctor who has researched cataractsees you himself

Cataract · posterior corneal astigmatism:an award for research

Lens power,measured precisely without contact

Laser and ultrasound:two devices

Presbyopia and cataracthave different causes