Surrey Association for Visual Impairment. Making a visible difference in Surrey.
Cataract
Above: Misty vision when looking at cars in a car park
Cataracts can form at any age, but mostly it develops in older people. If you are told have developed this condition, don't be alarmed as over half of those over 65 years can be successfullly treated with surgery.
Cataract is not a skin growing over your eye, as is often stated, but a clouding of your eyes natural len. This is a transparent body behind the iris that allows light rays to go through to the back of the eye, the retina.
The affects of this condition is, in the early stages, a blurring of edges or misting like smudges glasses. This can become worse is not treated and it may be difficult to see, especially on very sunny days (Image at the top of the page shows what possibily would be seen by someone with cataract on a sunny day in the car park). Also it can make everythink have a yellowish tinge.
An operation may be suggested by your eye consultant, which would mean that the cloudy len would be surgically removed and replaced with a plastic lens. This can return the eyes vision to normal when successul and is a very popular procedure.
For more information about eye conditions from other outside organisations, follow this link to our Eye Conditions Links page.
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Sight Loss
Learn about the most common eye conditions that can cause visual impairment.
Macular Disease
Cataract
Diabetic Retinopathy
Glaucoma
