08/09/2025
๐โ๐จ Understanding your eye health is as important as regular check-ups. Today, we're shedding light on a common condition: cataracts.
Cataracts occur when the eye's clear lens becomes cloudy, typically as a result of aging. They are painless and may not initially impact vision, but severe impairment may require surgery to replace the cataract with an artificial lens. This surgery is normally carried out under a local anaesthetic and has a very high success rate.
โ Who is affected by cataracts?
Cataracts mainly develop in those aged 65 or older. Younger people can develop cataracts following an injury to the eye. Some medical conditions such as diabetes, or taking medication such as steroids, may also cause cataracts. Smokers are also more likely to develop cataracts than non-smokers.
โ What are the symptoms of cataracts?
If you have cataracts you may notice that your vision is less clear and distinct. Car headlights and streetlights can become dazzling, and you may experience difficulty moving from shade to sunlit areas. Colours may look faded or yellowed. Many people with a cataract notice that they need to change the prescription for their glasses more often than they used to.
โ How do you treat cataracts?
Cataracts often simply mean that your prescription for glasses needs changing. If the cataract is still affecting your day-to-day life, and your optometrist cannot improve this enough by changing your glasses, you can ask them to refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for surgery.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐: Donโt wait until your vision is impaired. Regular eye check-ups can make all the difference.
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