What are Cataracts ?

Cataracts

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is the clouding of the lens in your eye and will cause the eyesight to

become cloudy and misty. Cataracts can be treated by surgery which removes the

cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens.

Unfortunately, developing cataracts can be associated with the effects of ageing and

many people begin to develop cataracts after the age of 65. There are however

some people in the forties and fifties who begin to see the onset of symptoms.

Have you noticed that your glasses look like they need cleaning more often? Are

colours beginning to look more washed out than usual or are you struggling with the

glare from bright sunlight or car headlamps? Cataracts tend to develop slowly so

visits our optometrists regularly can detect any changes or the development of

cataracts early.

You may be more likely to develop cataracts if you have:

●Diabetes – people who have diabetes often develop cataracts earlier.

●Trauma – having an eye injury can cause the injured eye to develop a

cataract.

●Medications – some prescription drugs can cause cataracts, for example

steroids.

●Eye surgery – surgery for a retinal problem will likely lead to cataracts in the

affected eye at some point in the future.

●Eye conditions – other eye conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma

or uveitis, may also cause cataracts.

●Having high myopia (being very short sighted) may cause cataracts.

●People who have learning disabilities are more likely to develop cataracts.

Most cataracts are dealt with using the same type of surgery. Children can also have

cataracts (known as childhood or congenital cataracts) however, these are dealt with

in a different way.