Cataracts, How Are They Caused And How Can They Be Treated

Cataracts

What Are They And How Are They Treated

You can get a cataract when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy or misty

WHY DO CATARACTS OCCUR?

The main cause is age. However, smoking and exposure to sunlight have been linked to getting cataracts.

WILL CATARACTS AFFECT MY VISION?

Many people with a cataract notice that they need the prescription for their glasses changing. If you are long-sighted, you may even notice that you need your glasses less than you did before the cataract!

CAN I PREVENT CATARACTS?

The best advice to try and prevent cataracts, or to stop them getting worse, is not to smoke, and wear good quality sunglasses with full UV protection.

CATARACTS ARE AN EYE CONDITION ANYONE CAN DEVELOP

This video explains how cataracts can develop and how they can be treated by performing a surgical procedure.

TREATING CATARACTS

If your cataract is affecting your day-to-day life and it cannot be improved by changing your prescription you can be referred to a specialist eye doctor for surgery.

WHAT DOES CATARACT SURGERY INVOLVE?

You will have an initial appointment where the specialist will assess and measure your eye. Most cataract operations are done using local anaesthetic at a local eye clinic.

AFTER THE OPERATION

The opthamologist will give you eye drops to use for the fist few weeks after the operation. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous excercise for this period, but carry on as normal with routine activity.

WILL I NEED NEW SPECTACLES AFTER MY OPERATION?

Your eyesight will settle down in a few days or weeks. You will probably find that your prescription will need changing after the operation. You will need to visit the optician for a further eye examination a few weeks after surgery.