Cataract

Usually cataracts will cause symptoms, including:

• blurred vision
• double images or ghost images
• glare or sensitivity to lights
• haloes around lights or night-driving difficulties
• recent changes in glasses prescriptions (myopic shift).

Most commonly, cataract is caused by age. They are very common, most people older than 70 will have some early cataract.

Other causes of cataracts include:

• medications (such as steroids)
• other eye diseases (such as uveitis or retinitis pigmentosa)
• congenital or hereditary
• diabetes
• eye trauma.

Generally, cataracts develop very slowly, over many years. Occasionally, they may develop quickly after trauma, or if you are diabetic.

In the past, we only removed cataracts when they were considered 'mature'. This was in part due to the poorer outcomes associated with cataract surgery, compared to current, modern techniques. These days, we tend to remove cataracts as soon as they start causing symptoms. 

Everybody has different visual requirements and as such the timing of cataract surgery will be different for different people. Therefore, the decision to remove a cataract, or leave it alone, will be made after discussing your particular needs with your surgeon. 

The only treatment for cataract is to remove it with an operation. After the cataract is removed, a new lens is inserted into the eye. This new lens is needed to allow light to focus again on the retina at the back of the eye. 

The operation usually takes about 10 minutes, but it can be longer if you have a larger cataract. Ordinarily, you will go home about 1 hour after the procedure.

Please click here if you would like to know more about cataract surgery.