Diagnosing and Treating Cataracts

Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes, and involves the lens of the eye becoming cloudy. The lens is responsible for focusing light and for adjusting the eye's focus, so that we can see images close up and at a distance. A cataract forms when the proteins that are present in the lens begin to clump together and create a solid mass.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

The signs of cataracts can differ for each individual, but the most common signs include the following:

• blurred or cloudy vision;
• colours which often seem muted;
• glare from the sun or lamps which may have a halo around them;
• double vision;
• reduced night vision
• and the need for regular prescription changes.

Cataracts treatment

Cataracts can take a long time to develop to the point that they affect vision. If cataracts are affecting your quality of life, it is important to consult your eye doctor to develop a treatment plan. There are many treatment options available depending on the type and severity of your cataract.

Your eyesight after cataract treatment

Following cataract treatment many individuals opt to use multifocal lenses or multifocal contact lenses. These lenses help to correct age related vision issues, or presbyopia, as we tend to find it more difficult to read small print when held close to the face.

Multifocal lenses allow you to switch from reading the paper to then being able to read faraway signs. You can easily switch from close up vision to distance and intermediate vision, all by looking at different points through the same lens. Near vision tends to be at the bottom, distance towards the top, and intermediate in the middle.