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Eye care - Cataract
| Eye care | | Children's eye care | | Visual displays and your eyes | | Squints & Lazy Eyes | |
| Focussing Errors | | Cataracts | | Glaucoma | | Macula Degeneration | | Retinal Detachment | |
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.
Many 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.
Causes of Cataract
An eye with 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 over 70 years will have some degree of cataract.
Other factors that are implicated are smoking, a poor diet, certain medications and genetics.
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
Vision with cataract
Normal vision
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 (implant). The operation is usually performed under local anaesthetic and is relatively straightforward.
During your eye examination our Optometrists routinely assess you for Cataract and will advise you of the prognosis and any possible treatment required. All our Optometrists are Cataract accredited with the local West Kent NHS health authority and can refer you directly to the hospital Ophthalmologist (eye specialist) if required; reducing the time you have to wait for specialist treatment.
For more information click on the following links
www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/public_rnib001959.hcsp
www.moorfields.nhs.uk/eyehealth