Cataracts are formed when the part of your eye called the lens (a clear disc inside your eye) starts to get cloudy. Over time this can cause blurry vision and eventually blindness. Cataracts are more common in older people and can affect day-to-day activities. There is some information about age-related cataracts on the NHS website. 

Symptoms of a cataract can include:

  • eyesight blurred or misty

  • finding lights too bright or glaring

  • finding it harder to see in low light

  • colours look faded

This animation looks at the journey for a patient from being diagnosed with a cataract after experiencing symptoms, through to their treatment.

The video below shows how cataracts might affect your vision. 

 

You are more likely to develop cataracts as you get older, but it is not clear why. Things that may increase your risk of cataracts include:

  • a family history of cataracts
  • smoking
  • diabetes
  • an eye injury
  • long-term use of steroids
  • drinking too much alcohol

Most people should have a sight test once every two years. Some opticians provide enhanced optical services such as cataract assessments.

If you have a cataract, you can be referred to hospital for surgery to replace the cloudy lens. Not everyone with a cataract needs surgery. If a cataract is affecting your quality of life, by stopping you from driving for example, then surgery may be an option for you.

Surgery to replace the old cloudy lens with a clear plastic one is the only way to improve your eyesight if you have a cataract. This surgery is usually offered on the NHS if your cataract is affecting your eyesight and quality of life. Unfortunately, there are no medicines or eye drops that have been proven to improve cataracts or stop them from getting worse.

If you have a cataract, it's your decision whether to go ahead with surgery or not. The eye care professional who diagnosed your cataract will discuss options with you before your referral. If you want, you can put off having surgery for a while and have regular check-ups to monitor the situation. 

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has produced this video for all patients considering a cataract operation:

Cataract surgery is straightforward and usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. If you decide to have the surgery, you should be able to go home on the same day. It is usually carried out under local anaesthetic so you would be awake but would not feel any pain. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures with around 330,000 surgeries performed each year in England alone. 

In this RNIB video, Roy talks about the symptoms his cataract caused and we follow him throughout his surgery:

As with any type of surgery, there are some risks to having cataract surgery. Endophthalmitis is a rare condition that might occur following cataract removal. It is an inflammation of the inner eye, usually caused by an infection. The earlier the eye is treated, the better the recovery. There is more information about endophthalmitis on the Moorfield Eye Hospital website. 

This video gives guidance on what to do, and what to expect after having cataract surgery. It has been created for patients of Moorfield Eye Hospital but is helpful for anyone having the surgery: