Cataract
Below we explain what a cataract is in an adult, what symptoms you may experience, and how it may be treated.
A cataract is an eye condition in which the natural lens becomes cloudy over time: This can become significant if it affects clarity of sight and is left untreated. Cataract is a common eye condition . Some cataracts are caused by other eye disease but most develop spontaneously with advancing age or if there is a family history of the disorder.
‘Rarely, some children are born with or develop cataract early in life.
You may hear the terms developmental, infantile or congenital cataract.
The management and treatment of this condition is different. Please refer to further reading below.
Symptoms
• Progressively blurred or misty vision not corrected by glasses
• Affected by bright lights, including bright sunlight and car headlights
• Fading and washing out of colours
• Difficulty with vision at night
Your GP or Optometrist will refer you to an eye specialist for assessment.
Treatment
The only effective treatment for cataracts is to remove and replace the cloudy natural lens with an artificial plastic one in an operation under local anaesthetic. The operation is quite short, up to 30 minutes, available through the NHS, and generally done in day surgery . The results are excellent and the risk of complications is very low.
Further Reading:
Understanding Cataracts
RNIB November 2010,
105 Judd St, London WC1H 9NE ISBN 078 1 95878 700 8;
Further online sources
For more detailed information about adult cataract, visit
http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/conditionsac/Pages/cataract.aspx
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Cataracts.htm
For more detailed information about congenital cataract, visit:
http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/conditionsac/Pages/congenital_cataracts.aspx
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Date
Last updated: 25th January 2012
Date for review: 25th January 2014
