Cataracts are one of the leading causes of reduced vision, glare, distortion and sometimes monocular double vision. Progressive myopia can also be a sign of cataract development.
The crystalline lens of the eye is normally transparent. When a part of the lens becomes opaque, it is called a cataract and due to the cloudiness of the lens, vision may become blurry, hazy or distorted. A large proportion of patients with cataract may also experience glare, sensitivity to bright lights, or haloes around lights (commonly experienced when driving at night). Cataract development is considered to be part of normal ageing process. By the age of 70, almost everyone has some degree of cataract formation. However previous surgery or trauma, history of diabetes, steroids use, excessive UV exposure, high myopia may hasten the development of cataract.
Recent development in the design of intraocular lenses has given ophthalmologists the ability to select from a wide range of intraocular lens types, from the standard monofocal, multifocal, toric (to correct astigmatism) to the latest extended depth of field lenses (EDOF) which are designed to improve mid-range vision without the concentric rings of the multifocal lens types. Whilst vision correction with intraocular lenses aims to improve vision, spectacle correction may sometimes still be required to optimize the visual acuity and reading vision .
Cataract operation involves the use of phacoemulsification which is an ultrasound probe connected to a highly advanced phaco machine. This removes the cataract through a very small incision in the front of the eye. For more information on cataract surgery and post-operative care, click here.