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CATARACT
Cataract Is A Common Eye Problem
Cataract is a very common eye problem in both men and women, and it is thought that about a third of people in the UK over the age of 65 will experience this eye condition in one or both eyes.
The eye is like a camera with a lens in the middle which focuses light on the retina and helps you to see a focussed image. The lens is situated behind the iris, which is the coloured part of your eye.
The lenses are normally clear and light is able to pass through to the back of the eyes, this helps to form the visual images that are then sent to your brain to process – this is essentially how we ‘see things’.
With age however, the lens can become progressively cloudy. A lens that has developed cloudiness is called cataract. As the condition develops less light is able to pass through to the back of the eye and a person’s vision may become more and more cloudy or blurred.
If symptoms are mild it is possible to live with the condition and you may just have to make a few lifestyle changes such as investing in brighter home lighting and lamps for reading or purchasing a pair of stronger glasses.
For many people however, the symptoms can affect their quality of life and if the condition begins to interfere with daily activities such as driving or cooking cataract surgery may be necessary.
If left untreated the condition can worsen and may eventually lead to severe sight impairment and even blindness; fortunately treatments are widely performed and are generally successful with very few complications.