What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of part of your eye called the crystaline lens. Vision becomes blurred or dim because light cannot pass through the lens to the back of your eye.
Cataracts can form at any age, but most often develop as people get older. You may notice that some things seem blurred round the edges, ot that your glasses seem dirty or scratched. Bright light or very sunny days make it more difficult to see. As the cataract develops its centre becomes more yellow, giving everything a yellowish tinge.
What can be done to help?
The most effective treatment for cataract is a small operation to remove the cloudy lens. The lens is usually replaced by a plastic implant which helps the eye focus properly. With modern surgery the operation can be carried out at any stage of the cataract's development when visual impairment interferes with your ability to read, work or your quality of life.