Specialty Vision · Vision Simulator
The cataract journey
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens that scatters light — making vision hazy, dim and yellowed, with glare and halos around lights, especially at night.
Before, during and after cataract surgery
A cataract clouds slowly over years — then routine surgery replaces the cloudy lens and vision usually clears. Sometimes, months or years later, the membrane behind the new lens hazes over (called PCO, or a 'secondary cataract') and a quick, painless laser (YAG) clears it again. Step through the whole journey below.
Overview
The eye has a clear lens that focuses light onto the retina. With age — and sometimes from other causes — proteins in the lens clump and cloud it, forming a cataract. Light scatters as it passes through, so the world looks foggy, washed-out and yellow-tinted, colours dull, and bright lights bloom into disabling glare and halos. Cataracts are very common with age and are the leading cause of treatable blindness worldwide, yet modern cataract surgery restores clear vision in the large majority of cases.
Symptoms of cataracts
- Cloudy, hazy or 'filmy' vision that glasses don't fully fix
- Glare and halos around lights — oncoming headlights at night can be disabling
- Colours that look faded or yellowed
- Needing more light to read, and worsening night vision
- Frequent changes to your glasses prescription
What causes cataracts
- Ageing — the most common cause, as lens proteins break down over time
- Diabetes and long-term steroid use
- Eye injury, inflammation or previous eye surgery
- Long-term UV exposure and smoking
- Rarely, cataracts are present at birth (congenital)
Cataracts risk factors
- Older age
- Diabetes
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Prolonged sunlight (UV) exposure
- Long-term corticosteroid use
- Previous eye injury or surgery
Prevention & early detection
- Cataracts can't be fully prevented, but you can slow them: don't smoke, wear UV-blocking sunglasses, and manage diabetes
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and limit heavy alcohol
- Have regular eye exams so a cataract is monitored and treated at the right time
Treatment
There is no eye-drop cure for cataracts. Early on, a stronger glasses prescription, brighter lighting and anti-glare measures help. When a cataract interferes with daily life, cataract surgery — replacing the cloudy lens with a clear artificial intraocular lens — is a common, safe, outpatient procedure that restores clear vision for the large majority of people, often reducing dependence on glasses.
When to see an eye doctor
Cataracts usually progress slowly, so they are rarely an emergency — but see an eye doctor if cloudiness, glare or dimming is making driving, reading or daily tasks harder, or if your glasses keep needing changes. Surgery is timed to when symptoms affect your life, not by a deadline. Seek care sooner for any sudden vision loss, pain or flashes, which point to something other than a cataract.
Seek urgent care for:
- Sudden vision loss or sudden worsening
- Eye pain or redness
- New flashes or a shower of floaters
Frequently asked questions
Do cataracts just make vision blurry?
Not exactly — the dominant problem is light scatter, not simple blur. Cataracts wash out contrast, dull and yellow colours, and turn bright lights into glare and halos. That's why night driving often suffers first, and why brighter, higher-contrast surroundings help before surgery.
Can eye drops or exercises cure a cataract?
No. Despite many claims, no drop, supplement or exercise reverses a cataract. The only proven treatment is surgery to replace the clouded lens — one of the most common and successful procedures in medicine.
Is cataract surgery serious?
It's a routine, usually 15-30 minute outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic, and most people see more clearly within days. As with any surgery there are small risks, which your surgeon will discuss, but serious complications are uncommon.
Will I still need glasses after surgery?
Often less than before. The replacement lens can be chosen to focus at distance, near, or a range, so many people need glasses only for some tasks. Your surgeon will help pick a lens that fits your eyes and lifestyle.
Sources
- What Are Cataracts? — American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Cataracts — National Eye Institute