A cataract is where your normally clear lens inside the eye becomes clouded. Over time, a cataract can cause significant changes to your vision. Cataracts are a very common condition in older people; however, certain types can occur in younger people.

Early cataracts may not show any symptoms or vision impairments. As the cataract progressively gets worse, your symptoms will become more apparent.

• Loss of clarity or blurry vision
• Colours are less bright
• Sensitivity to bright lights
• Glare and haloes appearing around lights

To diagnose a cataract, your ophthalmologist will review your symptoms and perform a comprehensive eye examination. This includes a dilated eye exam, vision testing, an OCT (optical coherence tomography), and a slip-lap examination. If other testing is required, we will do this on the day.

Treatment

An early cataract may be improved with new glasses, better lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying glasses. Despite this, if left untreated, cataracts will eventually result in significant vision impairment.

Cataracts can be treated effectively with surgery. This involves the removal of the cloudy lens, which is then replaced with an artificial lens. Cataract surgery usually takes less than 20 minutes and is performed under local anaesthesia with a light sedation.