Cataract is clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The World Health Organization explains that cataract is a major cause of vision impairment worldwide, and surgery can restore sight in many affected people when properly indicated. Read the overview here: WHO information on blindness and vision impairment.
Cataracts usually develop slowly. Many people first notice blurry vision, glare from lights, difficulty driving at night, faded colours or frequent changes in glasses.
Ageing is the most common reason. Cataracts may also be linked with diabetes, eye injury, steroid medicines, smoking, past eye surgery or long-term sun exposure.
In the early stage, stronger glasses, better lighting and anti-glare lenses may help. But glasses cannot remove a cataract. When the cataract affects daily activities, surgery may be discussed.
Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. It is commonly performed, but it is still surgery and needs proper assessment.
Patients should ask what type of lens is suitable. Some lenses focus mainly on distance. Others may reduce the need for glasses at more than one distance. Not every lens suits every eye.
Before surgery, the eye specialist may check the retina, cornea, eye pressure and general eye health. Other eye diseases can affect the final result.
After surgery, patients need eye drops, follow-up visits and care to avoid infection or injury. Blurry vision, increasing pain, severe redness or sudden vision loss after surgery should be reported urgently.
AccuVision provides patient information related to cataract treatment for readers wanting to understand available options.
Cataract treatment should be based on how much the cataract affects vision and daily life, not only on age.
Medical note: Sudden vision loss, eye injury, severe eye pain or a red painful eye needs urgent medical attention.