#EYEHEALTH
What is A Cataract?
The lens is located behind the iris (the coloured part of our eye). This lens is normally transparent. Light travels through the lens and is focused on the retina at the back of our eye. As we age, the clarity of our lens reduces and the lens becomes cloudy, making it more difficult to see clearly.
How do I know if I have a cataract?
Typical symptoms include
- Dull or blurred vision
- Increased symptoms of glare from sunlight
- Difficulty driving at night
- Haloes around lights
- Colours appear faded or yellowed
- Frequent changes in spectacle prescription
- Needing a brighter light to see when reading print
A well balanced diet reduces the risk of cataracts. It is also important to wear good quality sunglasses to protect our eyes from UV light.
I’ve been told I have cataract, what should I do?
Like our hair turning grey, cataracts are a normal part of ageing in the eye. In the initial stages, vision will be minimally affected. A prescription change in your glasses may improve your vision, hence there may not be a need to do anything. As cataracts progress and vision worsens, surgery can be performed by an Ophthalmologist (eye specialist), whereby the cloudy lens in your eye can be removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant.
Cataract surgery is usually performed under local anaesthetic and the procedure takes approx 15-20 mins. Recovery is fast and most people will notice an immediate improvement in vision.
Will my vision be good after surgery?
Assuming your eye is otherwise healthy, you can expect your vision to be similar to how it was prior to your cataracts developing.
