Cataract Surgery

What is a Cataract?

Everyone eventually develops cataracts that dim their vision — it is simply part of being human. Like wrinkles, cataracts are a fact of life: we all get them, and they only worsen with time. They are especially common in people over 60. While most cases are associated with advancing age, cataracts can also be present from birth or from an early age for congenital reasons, and they can develop after an eye injury or as a result of other health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which stands in the way of clear vision. According to the World Health Organization, cataracts in one or both eyes are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Fortunately, careful monitoring and, where necessary, timely intervention can practically eliminate the vision loss or impairment that cataracts cause. The treatment is cataract surgery, in which the clouded lens is removed from the eye and replaced with an artificial one, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). Many different types of artificial lens are available; the most appropriate for you will be decided through an in-depth discussion of your condition and lifestyle needs with your chosen cataract surgeon.

Before cataract treatment

Your vision may be blurred and colours may appear slightly faded. These changes, and how pronounced they are, vary a little from person to person.

After cataract treatment

Once your eyes have healed, the clarity of your vision will improve dramatically — as will your ability to see colours in their true depth and vibrancy.

How do I know if I need cataract surgery?

In most cases, cataracts develop slowly over many years, although certain medical conditions (such as diabetes and hypertension) can cause them to progress more quickly. They can occur in one or both eyes, and they cause neither pain nor outwardly visible signs such as redness. Because cataracts form so gradually, they are usually picked up during a routine eye examination.

As a cataract progresses, common symptoms you may notice include:

• Cloudy or blurred vision
• Reduced quality of night vision
• Increased sensitivity to light or glare
• Seeing “halos” around light sources
• Colours appearing faded or yellowed
• Needing brighter light for reading and other close-up tasks
• More frequent changes to your glasses or contact lens prescriptions

What happens during cataract surgery?

Most cataract operations take around 30–45 minutes and are performed under local anaesthetic. This means you are not put to sleep, and you can return home the same day.

Your ophthalmologist will make a tiny incision in your eye, remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial one. If both eyes have cataracts that need treatment, the procedures are carried out separately, 6–12 weeks apart. This gives each eye enough time to heal and for vision to recover.