What is a cataract?
People with cataracts may find looking through their cloudy lenses similar to a window which is fogged up or frosty. This clouded vision can make it harder to drive a car, tricky to read, and more difficult to see an expression on someone's face.
In general, cataracts develop slowly and initially do not affect the eyesight, but they will start to disturb your vision over time.
There are a range of treatment options for cataracts - from eyeglasses and stronger lighting, to surgical procedures.
Types of cataract
The various types of cataract include cortical cataracts, which affect the lens's edges, and begin as streaks or opacities in a wedge shape; posterior subcapsular cataracts, which affect the back of the lens, and start as little opaque areas which form close to the back of the lens, in the path of light, and can disrupt vision in bright light and reading vision, as well as cause halos around lights; nuclear cataracts, which affect the lens's centre, and typically begin causing nearsightedness, but progresses to turn the lens yellow and cloudy; and congenital cataracts, which people are born with.
Treatment options for cataract
In making a diagnosis, a doctor is likely to review your medical history, examine your eye and perform a number of tests - these can include: a slit lamp examination which can show the doctor the front of the eye under magnification, using an intensely bright light (slit lamp) to illuminate the eye's structures; a visual acuity test to measure how well you can read with each eye; and a retinal exam, which involves dilating your pupils with drops and using a slit lamp to examine the lens for evidence of cataract.
Cataract surgery
For cases in which prescription glasses have proven ineffective, surgery is typically the only other treatment option. Surgery is generally suggested by an eye doctor when cataracts are affecting your quality of life and everyday activities.
Cataract surgery involves the removal of the clouded lens, replacing it with a new artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens. It is put in exactly the same position as your natural lens and stays in your eye permanently. There may be eye problems which prevent the use of an artificial lens - for these cases, glasses or contact lenses can help to correct vision once the cataract has been removed.
London Eye Centre offers ‘Refractive Cataract Surgery’, which address each individual visual needs rather than a one solution suits all. We offer either monofocal intraocular lenses or Multifocal. We use latest technology Extended Depth of Focus lenses and Trifocal which offer and more glasses-independent lifestyle for each person.
Book a Consultation
Fill out our enquiry form with details of which treatment you are interested in and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss how we can help.