A cataract is clouding of the lens inside the eye. It develops slowly, usually with age, and makes vision blurry, dim or washed out. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of poor vision worldwide, and surgery to treat them is among the most common operations.
Imagine thinking the world has simply become dimmer, then having cataract surgery and seeing true colours again for the first time in years. Many people put up with cataracts far longer than they need to.
Early signs
- Cloudy, blurry or misty vision
- Colours looking faded or yellowish
- Glare from bright lights and headlights; halos around lights
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Needing frequent changes to your glasses prescription
Causes and risk factors
- Ageing (the most common cause)
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Long-term use of steroid medicines
- Eye injury or previous eye surgery
- Too much sunlight (UV) exposure
Treatment: cataract surgery
When cataracts start to affect daily life, such as reading, driving or working safely, surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens. It is usually done under local anaesthetic as a day case. Stronger glasses may help for a while in the early stages.
Lowering your risk
- Wear sunglasses that block UV light
- Stop smoking
- Keep diabetes well controlled
- Have regular eye tests
But should I wait until the cataract is “ripe”?
No. That is an old idea. The decision is about how much your vision affects your life and safety, not about how advanced the cataract looks. Talk to an eye specialist when it starts to get in your way.
Your next step: If night driving or reading has become harder, book an eye test. If you have diabetes, keep up your eye checks and blood sugar control.
Sources: NHS, “Cataracts”; US National Eye Institute, “Cataracts”; World Health Organization, “Blindness and vision impairment”. This guide is for general information and does not replace advice from your own nurse, doctor or pharmacist.
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