Cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. More than half the population will develop cataracts by 80 years of age. Symptoms include blurred vision, halos around lights, glare, double vision and difficulty seeing and driving at night.
Cataracts are most commonly due to aging but can occur for other reasons and in the younger population too. Early cataract can often be managed with an updated prescription but surgery is the definitive treatment as the cataract progresses.
Thankfully, modern technology means that cataract surgery is safe, quick and provides excellent results in the vast majority of cases. The surgery is performed as a day-case, inpatient procedure generally under local anesthetic. The whole process of admission, surgery and discharge takes a few hours and visual recovery is often within hours.
Modern advances in intraocular lens technology means that patients can often have minimal to no dependency on glasses after surgery.
Cataract surgery is truly a life-changing procedure for many patients and surely one of the greatest advances in modern surgery.