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Cataracts

What’s Cataracts?

Cataracts can be best described as clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The lens is responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images on the retina. Just as a dirty camera lens spoils an otherwise clear picture, when the natural lens in the eye becomes clouded by cataract, vision is impaired and may not improve with glasses.

Usually occurring as a natural part of aging, cataract is the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 years of age and older. However, even young adults and children can suffer from them.

The development of cataract will vary from one person to another, but as a general rule, most cataract develop slowly. The most common signs of cataract development are blurred vision and sensitivity to light. These symptoms often cause difficulty reading a small print and difficulty with night driving.

Who is at risk?

Older age
Previous eye surgery or trauma
People that spend excessive time exposed to sun such as outdoor workers
People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, smokers and those who use steroids for a prolonged period

The only treatment for cataract is their surgical removal and replacement with a clear implant. Cataract surgery is the most common eye operation performed in Australia. It has a high rate of safety and success due to modern methods performed using micro incisions with patient being awake during the procedure.

During your appointment your surgeon will discuss all the surgery details and lens choices available.