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General InformationA cataract is a clouding of the lens inside your eye which causes your sight to become cloudy and misty. Cataracts are treated by surgery, during which the cloudy lens is removed and replaced by an artificial lens.
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RNIB provide you information on cataracts, from the point of diagnosis to recovery after surgery.
To read more information in pdf format, you can download the Understanding Cataracts booklet accredited by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
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Whether you’ve just been diagnosed, waiting for surgery or have had surgery, this is for you.
Common symptoms include:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and haven’t spoken to your optician, it’s crucial that you book an appointment.
You could have developed cataracts for any of the following reasons: ageing, diabetes, eye surgery, high myopia, other eye conditions (e.g. glaucoma), or an eye injury. Your ophthalmologist will be able to discuss the underlying cause of your cataracts with you.
Cataracts themselves are not typically painful. In the early stages, you may not even notice any symptoms. However, as cataracts progress and cloudiness in the lens worsens, you may experience changes in vision, such as blurriness or sensitivity to light. If you experience any discomfort related to cataracts, it's essential to consult with your ophthalmologist.
Cataracts do not pass directly from one eye to the other like a contagious condition. But if you develop cataracts in one eye, you might be at higher risk of developing them in the other eye if you have underlying risk factors such as ageing, genetics or certain medical conditions.
Driving with cataracts can be dangerous as they can significantly affect your vision. Speak to your optician to assess if it’s safe for you to drive.
Cataracts can be removed at any stage and you don’t need to wait for them to ‘ripen’ before having surgery. Whether or not you need surgery right away depends on the severity of your cataracts and how they affect your vision and quality of life.
In some cases, early-stage cataracts might not impact your vision and updating your glasses prescription or using brighter lighting might be enough. However, as cataracts progress, surgery may be the best option.
Cataracts surgery is the most commonly performed operation in the UK and has a 95% average success rate.
During the surgery, you will most likely be under local anaesthetic so you won’t feel any pain. It’s one of the quickest operations. The actual surgery only lasts about 20 minutes and you will only have to be at the hospital for the day.
While cataract surgery is generally safe and effective, common side effects include:
Most of these side effects resolve within a few days as the eyes heal. You can discuss these with your ophthalmologist at your pre-operative appointment.
Most people will still need glasses to make their vision clear at one or more distances - these will most likely be different to the glasses you had before surgery.
Once a cataract is removed, it cannot come back.
If left untreated, cataracts can progressively worsen and continue to impact your quality of life. The decision to have surgery is a personal one that should be made with the guidance and support of your ophthalmologist.