Cataracts
What Is A Cataract?
A cataract is a cloudy area in the eyes natural lens.
A normal lens is clear and allows light to go through it unimpeded.
A cataract blocks and scatters some of the light, which leads to blurry
vision.
Most people with cataracts have them in both eyes. However, one eye
may be worse than the other because each cataract develops at a different
rate.
What Causes A Cataract?
Cataracts are caused by metabolic changes
in the cells of the lens. This appears to be part of the ageing process,
and most people will have some degree of cataract in their later years.
Other factors that are implicated are smoking, a poor diet, certain
medications and genetics.
What Is the Effect On Vision?
This depends on the type of cataract and how far advanced they are.
They will cause anything from mild to marked blurriness.
Other effects include:
• Scattering of headlamps and street lamps
• Colours appear faded and washed out
• Increased sensitivity to bright lights
How Are They Treated?
Cataracts only need to be treated if they are affecting the vision.
Treatment consists of an operation to remove the cloudy lens and to
replace it with a new clear artificial one. The operation is done
under local anaesthetic and is relatively straightforward.
Further Information
More information on Cataracts is available by clicking these links:
http://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/Publicationsandresources/Informationforpatients
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=90§ionId=21617
http://www.rcophth.ac.uk/docs/publications/UnderstandingCataracts.pdf
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| Dull grey view with
cataracts |
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| Normal view |
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