Cataracts

A cataract is clouding of the eye's natural lens, causing gradually reduced and often blurry vision.

Common symptoms

Blurred or cloudy vision, glare from lights, trouble seeing at night, faded colours, and frequent glasses prescription changes.

Description

Cataracts develop when proteins in the natural lens of the eye clump together and make the lens less clear. They are very common with ageing, but can also occur earlier due to diabetes, steroid use, previous eye injury, or other medical factors.

Vision changes from cataracts are usually gradual. Many people describe duller colours, increased glare from headlights, and difficulty reading in low light.

Early on, updated glasses and brighter lighting may help. If cataracts begin to interfere with daily life, surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens is usually very effective.