Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Cataracts

A cataract is a condition of the eye that makes it difficult to see. It happens when the lens of the eye (the part of the eye that we see through) becomes clouded. The lens is at the front of the eye. It focuses light on the retina, at the back of the eye, to form images. A cataract can affect a small part of the lens, or it may cloud the whole lens.

Cataracts that cloud the whole lens can seriously affect your sight and you may need an operation to prevent you going blind. This is generally a quick and painless operation in which the lens is taken out and replaced with an artificial one.

Cataracts take a long time to form and are most common in older people. Loss of vision is gradual and many people may not realise they have a cataract. Poor sight is a normal part of getting old, but it can be treated and often made better if a cataract is the cause. Opticians can easily spot cataracts, which is why regular eye check-ups are important.

Cataracts cannot be spread from one eye to the other, but they may develop in both eyes at the same time.

• Symptoms
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