Cataracts occur when changes in the lens of the eye cause it to become less transparent. The lens is the crystalline structure that sits just behind your pupil, which is the black circle in the centre of your eye.
When light enters your eye, it passes through the transparent layer of tissue at the front of the eye (the cornea) and the lens, which focuses it on the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of your eye (the retina).
Cataracts sometimes start to develop in a person’s lens as they get older (age-related cataracts), stopping some of the light reaching the retina. This can affect your vision, making it become increasingly cloudy, blurry, or misty.
Although cataracts are often associated with age, in rare cases babies are born with cataracts or young children can develop them (childhood cataracts).
When is cataract surgery recommended?
Slight cloudiness of the lens is a normal part of ageing. Significant cloudiness, or cataracts, usually get slowly worse over time. Surgery to remove them is the only way to restore vision.
However, surgery isn’t necessary if your vision isn’t significantly affected and you don’t have difficulties carrying out everyday tasks.
Assessment of cataract Patients with cataracts are looked after by a team of people, including optometrists (opticians), nurses, technicians, doctors and surgeons. You will be asked about your sight problems, any other eye conditions and your general health. Your sight will be tested and measurements taken with specialist equipment, which will help us to make recommendations about the best treatment for your vision problem. You will be given eye drops to make your pupil bigger, so that we can examine your eyes fully. The drops will blur your vision and the effect of the drops will take a few hours to wear off. For this reason, you are advised not to drive after your hospital appointments. You should also take care that you do not miss your footing and be very careful with steps while your vision is still blurred.
The operation
Cataract surgery is a relatively straightforward procedure that usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
It’s often carried out as day surgery under local anaesthetic, which means you’ll be awake during the procedure and can go home on the same day.
During the operation, the surgeon will make a tiny cut (incision) in your eye so they can remove the affected lens. After it’s been removed, a small plastic lens called an intraocular implant or intraocular lens will be inserted.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, you’ll have two separate operations carried out a few weeks apart. This gives the first eye time to heal and time for your vision to return.
Getting back to normal
You’ll normally be able to go home a few hours after having cataract surgery, but you’ll need to arrange for someone to collect you and take you home.
Take it easy for the first two or three days after the operation and make sure you use any eye drops you’re given while in hospital.
You can continue doing most of your normal activities after cataract surgery, although you’ll need to avoid touching your eye or getting anything in it, such as soap and water, for a few weeks.