Everything You Need to Know About Age-Related Cataracts
Cataracts are a common age-related vision problem. In the UK, around 30 per cent of people aged sixty-five and over have their vision affected due to cataracts. If you suffer from cataracts, they can make everyday activities, such as reading and driving, difficult. In England alone, more than 400,000 cataract surgeries are performed annually. Given the severity of the condition – cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world – we thought this common eye disease would be a popular topic to discuss in our latest blog.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is when the natural lens within our eyes starts to form small cloudy patches. These patches start small but develop over time, increasing in size, which causes blurry vision or misting. Some people describe it as looking through a dirty window that you can’t get clean.
There are different types of cataracts: congenital, which occurs when someone is born with a cataract; when trauma occurs to the eye, which triggers a cataract; or the most common, which is age-related cataract, as over time, the lens in our eyes age. There are also other factors which can accelerate the development of cataracts.
How can we help to protect ourselves against a cataract?
Cataract is something which most of us will experience as we age. However, we can take some steps to reduce the risk or slow down the development of cataracts. Follow a healthy lifestyle: for example, eating a diet with lots of fruit and vegetables containing Vitamin C and E, lutein and zeaxanthin may help prevent cataracts. Wear sunglasses outside to protect your eyes from the sun, reduce your alcohol intake and don’t smoke. And have eye examinations regularly. The NHS advises examinations every two years – or follow the advice of your Optometrist.
The NHS advises examinations every two years
How do I know if I’m developing a cataract?
If you attend regular eye examinations your Optometrist will probably be aware of the development of a cataract before you, depending on where on the lens the cataract is. But you will become aware of the following symptoms over time as it matures:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty with driving at night – as the cataract scatters light from car headlights.
- Dazzled by sunlight
- Difficulty watching television and reading
- Colours fading
- Frequent changes in spectacle prescriptions
- Continually wanting to clean spectacle lenses because you feel like you’re looking through a dirty lens.
Cataracts are unique to each individual and can develop in various parts of the eye’s lens. They also mature or progress at different rates. Some people may have a tiny cataract that grows slowly and does not affect their vision, allowing them to live with it for an extended period. In contrast, others may experience rapid cataract development, requiring surgery to remove the cataract within a few months.
If you need an eye examination, get in touch to book an appointment with our Optometrist, Tim
The patient journey to have a cataract removed
Once the cataract is mature enough to have it removed, your Optometrist will send a referral through your local area’s pathway – different counties have different pathways to deal with referrals.
Once your referral has been accepted, you will be invited to attend an initial or pre-operative assessment to see an eye specialist (Ophthalmologist). At this appointment, you will have drops to dilate your pupils so the clinical team can fully assess that cataract surgery is the correct course of action for your symptoms. You will also complete a health questionnaire detailing your medical history and medications that you may be taking. The procedure will be explained, and you will have the opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns.
The operation to remove a cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens is a common procedure with a high success rate
The procedure to remove a cataract
The operation to remove a cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens is a common procedure with a high success rate. Surgery is quick and takes about twenty minutes. However, you would probably be at the facility for three to four hours.
The procedure begins with the application of drops to numb the eye. While you shouldn’t feel any pain, you may experience slight pressure during the operation. During the procedure, your eye will become dilated, which can cause blurred vision, and you will need to lie flat throughout the operation.
A small clip is placed around your eye to hold the upper and lower eyelids open. The surgeon will then insert an ultrasound device into the eye to break down the cataract and remove it. Afterwards, a replacement intraocular lens is inserted. Once the surgery is complete, an eye shield will be placed over the eye to help prevent complications and to support the healing process.
What to expect after cataract surgery
To fully recover from cataract surgery can take anything from two to six weeks. Immediately after the procedure, you may experience some of the following, all of which are normal:
- A dull ache above your eye
- Blurred vision
- Your eye feeling gritty
- Eye watering
- Redness
- Sensitivity to light
The above are temporary side effects and should ease once you use the prescribed drops. Once your eye starts to heal, you can resume light exercise and return to your normal day-to-day activities and routine.
Four to six weeks after cataract surgery you should have a post-operative check-up with your usual Optometrist, who will check that your eye is healing, and your prescription has settled. If any issues arise, they can solve them by re-referring you to the surgeon who carried out the procedure.
If you are experiencing changes in your vision or it has been a while since your last eye examination, get in touch to schedule an appointment with our Optometrist, Tim. Tim has 40 years of experience in the optical field, so you will be in excellent hands. Call 01858 433577 to book your appointment or complete our online eye examination booking form here.
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