What is a Cataract?
A cataract is an opacity or cloudiness that develops in the lens of the eye which normally does the focussing. This will limit the amount of light that enters the eye causing a gradual reduction in vision. If left untreated, the cloudiness will continue to progress causing blindness. However, the blindness is reversible following treatment with an operation, unlike glaucoma where the blindness is permanent.

Cataracts normally develop with age but babies can also be born with them (congenital cataracts). Cataracts can also be caused by injury to the eye or certain medications, such as steroids.

Symptoms of Cataracts
Cataracts usually advance very slowly and patients usually notice a gradual blurring of vision. Cataracts do not cause any eye pain.

The other symptoms that may be noticed are glare, increasing myopia (short-sightedness), double vision, impaired colour or depth perception and nyctalopia (impaired night vision).

The Treatment of Cataract
There are no drops or medications that will cure cataracts. In the early stages, new glasses can improve vision. However, once the cataracts progress the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the UK and is usually a very safe operation.

The operation is performed through a small incision in the eye. Phacoemulsification (ultrasound technology) is used to remove the cataract and an artificial lens is implanted at the end of the procedure to allow normal vision (the implant).

The benefits of phacoemulsification are a rapid healing time, minimal post-operative astigmatism, no need for sutures, few post-operative visits.

Good vision can usually be achieved without the need for glasses for everyday wear but reading glasses will still be required.

The operation is usually carried out under local anaesthetic but is completely painless. Most patients are treated on a day case basis which means they do not need to stay in hospital overnight.