CATARACTS

Cataract occurs when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, making vision more blurry. The human lens is located in the front portion of the eye. It is responsible for focusing vision. When we are young, the lens is clear and transparent. Over time it becomes less transparent. Cataract is a normal, age-related change in the eye but they can also occur for different reasons.

Symptoms include cloudy/blurred vision, glare, halos around lights and faded/washed out colour vision. As changes to the vision are usually gradual, many people will not notice changes and are first made aware of cataract at an eye test. 

Risk factors include increasing age, family history, injury or disease to the eye, smoking tobacco, UV light exposure and long term steroid use.People with diabetes have been shown to develop cataract earlier.

Prevention. Lifestyle changes can help reduce the severity of cataract and lower the odds of them ever affecting you. Eat a healthy, balanced diet with foods rich in antioxidants (link to our page about eye health and food). Reduce alcohol consumption and avoid smoking. Use glasses that block out ultraviolet light. Even clear glasses can have UV filters. Get an eye check at least every 2 years if over 40.

Treatment. Currently, the only way to treat cataracts is through surgery. Your cloudy lens will be replaced with an artificial lens. Cataract operation has a high success rate and is the most common performed surgery in the UK. In the future, it may be possible to treat cataract with eye drops.