Cataracts

Cataracts occur when there is cloudiness and opacity within the lens inside the eye.  Normally this lens is crystal clear and serves to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye.

The process of cataract formation is similar to cooking an egg.  At the start of cooking the egg-white is clear but steadily becomes more opaque.  A similar process occurs in the lens of the eye and is a natural part of aging.  Cataracts form slightly quicker if you suffer from diabetes or eye diseases such as uveitis.  The cloudy lens will not transmit light clearly onto the retina. A diagram of the eye showing the position of the lens in which a cataract develops. 

This picture shows a cataract in the eye.  The upper image shows the milky cataract obscuring the dark of the pupil; the bottom image shows a cross section of the cataract behind the iris. The symptoms can occur over a short period of time.  They are very common and most people will require surgery for cataracts at some stage during their lives.

Most people notice that they are having problems in their 60's but they can occur earlier. Cataracts cause problems with vision.  These include poor vision whilst driving or watching television, difficulty with close work and reading, glare in bright lights and an increase in the strength of glasses required to see clearly.