What is Cataract

Cataract is a condition which in time will affect most of us. It is commonly found in elderly people and can cause symptoms which can vary from a mild misting to moderate or severe blurring of vision. In many cases treatment is very successful, hughly improving quality of life.

Each and every one of us is born with a lens inside our eyes which is crystal clear and hopefully which allows us to see clearly. As we get older the lens slowly becomes more cloudy and at some point may cause the vision to become a little misty and feels a bit like looking through a dirty window. We refer to this as Cataract. It is usually found in both eyes but can often affect one eye more than the other.

What are the causes of Cataract

There are many causes of cataract but the main cause is old age. The lens of the eye continues to grow all the way through life and as it grows it forms layers similar to those of an onion. These layers can be affected by lots of different environmental factors such as Ultra-Violet from sunlight and Infra-Red from heat sources. These can cause a loss of transparency, resulting in the blurring of vision. Obviously over the years we are repeatedly exposed to more and more of these factors and this makes us more susceptible to cataract as we get older.

Cataracts can also be caused by injury to the eye; as a side effect of certain systemic medications; as a complication of other conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma and uveitis, it can even be found in newborn babies in a congenital form.

What are the symptoms of Cataract

With early cataract there are few symptoms and it may go unnoticed and for many people it will stay like that and not cause any real deterioration. For others the cataract may progress to cause a misting of the vision a bit like looking through a dirty window. Looking directly towards bright sunlight can cause glare for anyone but causes particular difficulty for someone with cataract. Also it can cause a loss of contrast making reading difficult for example or recognising light coloured objects on light backgrounds, such as vanilla ice cream on a white plate.  In its later stages cataract can lead to severe vision loss and a dramatic reduction in quality of life. 

What treatment is available

Cataract is usually a very treatable condition. Treatment involves a minor operation where the cataract is removed and is replaced with a tiny plastic lens. The operation is usually performed under a local anaesthetic though very occasionally a general is required. It usually lasts about half an hour and does not require an overnight stay. In some rare cases a skin grows where the cataract used to be and causes the vision to blur again. This can occur some months or even years after the procedure. Treatment for this is very straightforward involving an out-patients appointment where Laser is used to clear the skin in a matter of seconds.

About four to six weeks after surgery an eye examination with optomise is required to determine if spectacles are needed to maximise the vision with what seems like your 'new eyes'.

Unfortunately treatment is not always sucessful or possible. As with all operations there are risks however small, which is why the cataract is often left until it causes significant blurring before surgery is considered. Sometimes the resulting vision can be a dissapointment and this is often because there is some other underlying condition that is affecting the sight. The patient's general health is also a factor when surgery is being considered and in some cases it is judged that the operation might not be in their best interests. In either case optomise will always try to consult with the carers and with the patients theselves or their families where appropriate before referral for surgery is considered.

How can Cataract affect behaviours

Vision is one of our primary senses and many of us would say that it is the one we value the most. A reduction in our vision will affect the way that we perceive the world around us and this is especially relevant for elderly people who are most susceptible to developing cataract. As we get older we can be more inclined to experience other difficulties such as hearing problems, difficulties with mobility or in some cases, confusion. Vision changes due to cataract can exacerbate these difficulties.