June is Cataract Awareness Month, making it a useful time to explain what cataracts are, how they affect vision and when to arrange an eye examination.
Cataracts are very common, especially as we get older. They develop when the clear lens inside the eye gradually becomes cloudy. This can make vision blurred, dull or hazy and may eventually interfere with everyday activities such as reading, driving and recognising faces.
What are cataracts?
The natural lens sits behind the coloured part of the eye and helps focus light onto the retina. A healthy lens is clear. With a cataract, proteins within the lens change and the lens becomes cloudy, so less light reaches the retina clearly.
Cataracts usually develop slowly. They often affect both eyes, although one eye may be worse than the other.
Common symptoms of cataracts
Symptoms can be subtle at first and may be mistaken for a simple change in glasses prescription. Common signs include:
- blurred, misty or cloudy vision
- difficulty seeing in dim light or at night
- glare from sunlight or car headlights
- halos around lights
- colours appearing faded or less bright
- needing stronger lighting for reading
- frequent changes to your glasses prescription
- double vision in one eye
Because these changes are usually gradual, some people do not realise how much their vision has altered until an eye examination shows it.
Who is more likely to develop cataracts?
Age is the main risk factor, and cataracts are particularly common from the age of 60 onwards. Other factors that can increase the likelihood include:
- diabetes
- smoking
- long-term use of steroid medication
- previous eye injury or eye surgery
- certain eye conditions
- a family history of cataracts
- regular exposure to strong sunlight without suitable eye protection
Wearing good-quality sunglasses with appropriate UV protection may help protect your eyes from long-term sun exposure. You can read more about prescription sunglasses at Actons.
How are cataracts diagnosed?
Cataracts can usually be detected during a routine eye examination. Your optometrist will check your vision, examine the front and back of the eyes and consider whether the symptoms are caused by cataracts or another eye condition.
An eye examination is also an opportunity to review your glasses prescription and discuss how your vision is affecting daily life. At Actons, there is time to explain what we have found and whether monitoring, new glasses or referral may be appropriate.
Find out more about our eye examinations in Worcester.
Do cataracts always need surgery?
No. Cataracts do not usually need treatment as soon as they are found. In the earlier stages, an updated glasses prescription, brighter lighting and practical changes may help.
Surgery is considered when the cataract begins to interfere significantly with everyday life. This may include difficulty driving, reading, working, watching television or carrying out hobbies safely and comfortably.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. During the operation, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant.
The procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthetic, so you are awake but the eye is numbed. Most people go home the same day. If both eyes need treatment, they are usually operated on separately.
Most people recover quickly and experience an improvement in vision, although glasses may still be needed afterwards for reading, distance vision or both. As with any operation, complications are possible, but serious complications are uncommon.
When should you arrange an eye examination?
Arrange an eye examination if you notice gradual blurring, increased glare, difficulty seeing at night or colours becoming less vivid. It is also sensible to keep up with regular eye examinations even if your vision seems unchanged, because cataracts and other eye conditions can develop slowly.
When is a change in vision urgent?
Cataracts usually cause gradual changes. Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, a dark curtain or shadow, or a sudden increase in flashes or floaters is not typical of an ordinary cataract and needs urgent assessment.
Read our Urgent Eyecare guidance, contact the practice promptly, or use NHS 111 if we are closed. Call 999 or attend A&E if you suddenly cannot see from one or both eyes or have sudden severe eye pain.
How Actons can help
If you are concerned about cataracts or have noticed a gradual change in your vision, we can carry out a thorough eye examination, explain the findings and discuss the next step. Where referral is needed, we will explain why and what to expect.
This article provides general information and does not replace an individual eye examination or medical advice. NHS information on cataracts and cataract surgery is also available online.
