A cataract is a clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens. The natural lens sits behind the coloured part of the eye (iris) in the area behind the pupil. Cataracts reduces the amount of light passing through the lens, causing blurred vision.
What causes cataracts?
Long-term exposure to ultraviolet light
Exposure to radiation
Normal aging
Trauma
Diabetes
Use of certain medication
Certain metabolic conditions
Symptoms:
Foggy or misty vision
Reduced contrast sensitivity
Reduced colour discrimination
Double vision
With severe cataracts only movements or light can be seen
Treatment:
The lens is removed surgically through a 2.8mm incision
It is then replaced with an artificial lens made of an acrylic plastic
The wound is so small, it rarely needs to be sutured
The lens is removed under local anaesthetic (numbing drops)
It is an extremely successful operation
Additional benefits are that refractive errors can also be corrected to a large extent
