A clear lens transmits and focuses light onto the retina. With age, the lens loses its elasticity making it hard to focus on nearby objects (presbyopia). Consequently, many people are dependent on glasses for near activities like reading or using the computer. As the lens ages, the quality of vision for both distance and near vision deteriorates. This results in high dependence on glasses for most activities and is one of the earliest signs of cataracts. As the lens thickens with age, less light is able to enter the eye resulting in blurred vision that persists despite glasses.
With cataracts, your vision is like looking through a misty window. You might have blurry or hazy vision. Colours might not be as vivid. Some patients report glare when driving at night. As the cataract matures, all these symptoms get worse.
The only way to treat cataracts and fully restore your vision is through cataract or lens replacement surgery. In fact, it’s one of the safest types of surgery performed around the world.
The procedure takes about 10 minutes and is performed under local anaesthesia and sedation is optional. The malfunctioning lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL), which can correct long-sightedness (hyperopia), shortsightedness (myopia), and astigmatism (imperfect curvature of the eye). Dr Bhikoo can talk to you about different for technologies that allow a greater freedom from spectacles. You might feel some discomfort in the days after surgery, but you’ll see improvements in your vision pretty quickly.
No, but the structures that support the lens can cloud up over time (posterior capsular opacification). This can give the impression that the cataract has come back. Luckily, this can be treated in the clinic with a quick and safe laser procedure that takes a few minutes and is completely painless.
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