Cataract is the development of cloudy patches inside the lens of the eye(s). As the cataract develops, it gradually restricts the amount of light entering the eye, and can cause:
∙ Blurred vision
∙ Fading of colours
∙ A change in your spectacle prescription
∙ Visual problems depending on lighting (for example glare or halos)
Cataracts most commonly affect adults as a result of ageing.
The only proven treatment for cataracts is surgery, where the cloudy cataract lens is removed and replaced by a perfectly clear artificial lens, known as an ‘intraocular lens implant’, allowing light to once again reach the back of the eye.
What does cataract surgery involve?
Cataract surgery is a straightforward procedure that usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
It’s often carried out as day surgery under local anaesthetic and you should be able to go home on the same day. During the operation, the surgeon will make a tiny cut in your eye to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear plastic one.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, it may be recommended that both eyes are treated on the same day. This procedure is known as immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS). ISBCS is usually only recommended for people thought to have a low risk of complications.
After cataract surgery you should be able to:
- See things in focus
- Look into bright lights and not see as much glare
- Tell the difference between colours
References:
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataract-surgery/
- https://mft.nhs.uk/app/uploads/sites/2/2019/11/REH-241.pdf