WHAT IS CATARACT? A cataract is a condition in which the clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing sufficient light rays from entering the eye and impairing vision. Cataract is not a tumour or a growth over the eye as is commonly feared. It is normally a part of the ageing process and is due to the physical changes taking place in the lens. A common condition among the elderly, cataract can also be caused by injury, be present at birth or due to illnesses such as diabetes. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? The first sign is usually a blurring of vision which cannot be corrected by glasses. Opacification, or clouding, nearly always develops at the edges of the lens and if progressive, impairs vision as it spreads inwards. Other symptoms may include seeing multiple images, poor vision in bright light, seeing a large black spot in front of the eye or haloes around lights. WHAT IS THE TREATMENT? At present, there is no recognised or effective treatment for cataracts once they become advanced, apart from surgery. Depending on the patient’s needs and as long as vision remains satisfactory, surgery is not necessary. However, your surgeon will advise that the cataract be removed when poor vision interferes with your daily activities. Cataract microsurgery (phacoemulsification technique) is usually highly successful and more than 90% of patients are able to regain good vision. With the removal of the cloudy lens, an artificial lens is needed to substitute its function of focusing light rays onto the retina. This is achieved in one of three ways – by special cataract glasses, contact lens or intraocular implants which are plastic, discs inserted into the eye. INTRAOCULAR IMPLANTS Artificial lenses (intraocular lens = IOL) implanted inside the eyeball by surgery have been used for over thirty years with excellent results achieved, particularly in patients above 45 years. However occasional complications still exist such as raised eye pressure (glaucoma) and inflammation (iritis). Sight may also deteriorate several months or years after surgery due to thickening of the capsule which is left behind. This condition may be improved either through an operation known as capsulotomy or treatment using the YAG laser. ARTIFICIAL LENS REPLACEMENT As each patient has special needs and problems, your ophthalmologist will discuss your treatment with you during your consultation. Related Articles Related Articles 14/01/2025 Vitrectomy A vitrectomy is an operation to remove the vitreous humour, a clear, transparent jelly-like substance inside the eye. 03/12/2020 What is LASIK eye surgery? WHAT IS LASIK? LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, and recently presbyopia. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser or microkeratome to reshape the eye’s cornea […] 03/12/2020 Corneal Transplantation Corneal Transplantation has advanced to a stage where long term success rates and visual outcomes can be excellent, even in the most severe cases, and several different forms of Corneal Transplantation are now available to suit the disease condition. If you have received, or will be receiving a cornea transplant, or are a relative or […] 30/11/2020 Uveitis DEFINITION Uveitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the eye. It often affects the middle layer of your eye (uvea) which is made up of three structures: The iris: the part of your eye that gives it colour; The ciliary body: a small ring-like muscle that sits behind your iris and which helps the eye […] 14/01/2025 Vitrectomy A vitrectomy is an operation to remove the vitreous humour, a clear, transparent jelly-like substance inside the eye. 03/12/2020 What is LASIK eye surgery? WHAT IS LASIK? LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, and recently presbyopia. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser or microkeratome to reshape the eye’s cornea […] 03/12/2020 Corneal Transplantation Corneal Transplantation has advanced to a stage where long term success rates and visual outcomes can be excellent, even in the most severe cases, and several different forms of Corneal Transplantation are now available to suit the disease condition. If you have received, or will be receiving a cornea transplant, or are a relative or […] 30/11/2020 Uveitis DEFINITION Uveitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the eye. It often affects the middle layer of your eye (uvea) which is made up of three structures: The iris: the part of your eye that gives it colour; The ciliary body: a small ring-like muscle that sits behind your iris and which helps the eye […]
14/01/2025 Vitrectomy A vitrectomy is an operation to remove the vitreous humour, a clear, transparent jelly-like substance inside the eye.
03/12/2020 What is LASIK eye surgery? WHAT IS LASIK? LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, and recently presbyopia. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser or microkeratome to reshape the eye’s cornea […]
03/12/2020 Corneal Transplantation Corneal Transplantation has advanced to a stage where long term success rates and visual outcomes can be excellent, even in the most severe cases, and several different forms of Corneal Transplantation are now available to suit the disease condition. If you have received, or will be receiving a cornea transplant, or are a relative or […]
30/11/2020 Uveitis DEFINITION Uveitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the eye. It often affects the middle layer of your eye (uvea) which is made up of three structures: The iris: the part of your eye that gives it colour; The ciliary body: a small ring-like muscle that sits behind your iris and which helps the eye […]
14/01/2025 Vitrectomy A vitrectomy is an operation to remove the vitreous humour, a clear, transparent jelly-like substance inside the eye.
03/12/2020 What is LASIK eye surgery? WHAT IS LASIK? LASIK, or Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis, commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism, and recently presbyopia. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser or microkeratome to reshape the eye’s cornea […]
03/12/2020 Corneal Transplantation Corneal Transplantation has advanced to a stage where long term success rates and visual outcomes can be excellent, even in the most severe cases, and several different forms of Corneal Transplantation are now available to suit the disease condition. If you have received, or will be receiving a cornea transplant, or are a relative or […]
30/11/2020 Uveitis DEFINITION Uveitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) in the eye. It often affects the middle layer of your eye (uvea) which is made up of three structures: The iris: the part of your eye that gives it colour; The ciliary body: a small ring-like muscle that sits behind your iris and which helps the eye […]
