Cataracts

“Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye loses its clarity, progressively affecting vision and quality of life and can ultimately lead to blindness if left untreated”, says Sam Loughlin, Health Partners Optometrist.

Cataract symptoms

Usually, the development of cataracts is gradual and painless and has little effect on vision at first. You might not experience all of these symptoms, and they might present differently in each eye, or only in one eye.

The main symptoms are:

• Hazy or blurry vision
• Increased sensitivity to light (glare)
• Reduced night vision
• Colours become less vibrant
• Double vision

Sometimes cataracts develop so slowly that you might not even notice any changes. Slow progression can make it easy to miss early signs such as blurriness, increased sensitivity to light or even a change in spectacle prescription. This is why it’s so important to discuss even small changes in your vision with your optometrist as soon as possible. Regular check-ups enable an optometrist to monitor and manage cataracts in a timely manner.

Am I at risk of developing cataracts?

Most cataracts develop as a normal part of the ageing process and are more commonly found in people aged 65 and over. “Cataracts are commonly associated with aging, but lifestyle, health, and other factors can also influence their development”, Sam says.

Other risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Long-term exposure to UV sunlight
• Certain health conditions (i.e. – diabetes)
• Eye injury
• Family history
• Certain medications

How do you treat cataracts?

If your optometrist determines that you have vision-affecting cataracts, they will usually refer you to an ophthalmologist to determine if your cataracts should be removed. The best way to manage a cataract is to have surgery. Surgery is usually performed when your vision deteriorates enough to interfere with daily life, for example, when it affects your ability to drive safely.

Cataract surgery is usually performed as a day procedure and under a local anaesthetic; it involves removing the cloudy lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. For most people, recovery of vision occurs a few days after surgery.

Early detection

If you’re concerned about your eye health, you should book an eye test today. Regular check-ups are important in identifying and managing a range of eye conditions, including cataract, macular degeneration and glaucoma, which can develop slowly and sometimes have minimal symptoms. Seeing an optometrist regularly is essential in identifying, managing and treating these types of conditions.