A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens that causes blurred vision which is not correctable by ordinary prescription glasses or contact lenses. A cataract is formed when the crystalline lens of the eye thickens, hardens, or clouds, and loses and ability to change shape. Normally, the development of cataracts in either one or in both eyes reduces distance vision, causes glare in night vision, impaired depth perception, and reduces colour perception.

Most cataracts develop with advancing human age but can be present at birth or can be caused by injury to the eye. There are additional factors that can contribute to or hasten the development of a cataract on the lens such as; smoking, excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays, steroid intake and also diabetes.

Impaired vision from Cataracts can be improved by surgery if cataracts cause sufficient loss of vision to interfere with daily activities. Your ophthalmologist will advise if your case is suitable for cataract surgery. Cataract surgery will improve vision in around 90% of patients. Cataracts may form again, but usually not for many years if you protect your health. Cataract surgery involves removing the eye’s diseased natural lens, and replacing it with an artificial lens implant called an intraocular lens.

Cataract surgery is a well developed science and commonplace these days. More than 1.3 million cataract operation  are performed annually in the USA alone. Even so, the degree of success depends upon the degree of the problem. The more mature the cataract, the more difficult the surgery. Even the most experienced surgeons can have problems removing a very mature cataract

The Cataract surgery operation is usually completed on an outpatient basis, under local anaesthesia which may be done solely with eye drops, so patients return home that evening. Patients remain awake during the procedure. Surgeons will normally operate on separate days if the patient has cataracts in both eyes.

The recovery period depends on the general health of the patient however, blurry vision can last a few days or weeks postoperatively. You will need to put eye drops in your operated eye at least four times a day for two to six weeks. Patients need to be careful touching or itching the irritated eye for the first four to six months.