Preparing for cataract operation

Overview

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye, which makes your vision blurry, like looking through a foggy window. Cataract surgery is a safe and common procedure to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial one to restore your sight.

Yes, cataracts are very common, especially as you get older. By age 80, more than half of all people have had a cataract or cataract surgery.

Cataracts most often affect older adults, but they can also occur in younger people due to injury, certain medications, or other health conditions.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Blurred, cloudy, or dim vision that gets worse over time
• Difficulty seeing at night or in dim light
• Sensitivity to glare from headlights or bright lights
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in one eye
• Frequent changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription

Symptoms in children

• A white or greyish pupil (instead of the normal black)
• Poor vision that does not improve with glasses
• Wandering or unsteady eye movements (nystagmus)
• Sensitivity to light

Symptoms in older adults

• Same as common symptoms, but often more gradual onset
• Increased trouble with reading, driving, or recognizing faces
• Falls due to poor depth perception

Causes

Main causes

• Aging – the most common cause
• Injury to the eye (traumatic cataract)
• Long-term use of steroid medications
• Certain medical conditions like diabetes
• Radiation treatment to the head or neck

Risk factors

• Being over 60 years old
• Having diabetes
• Smoking tobacco
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Prolonged exposure to sunlight without UV-protective eyewear
• Family history of cataracts

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you notice a sudden change in vision, especially if accompanied by pain or redness, see an eye doctor urgently or go to an emergency eye clinic.

Book a routine appointment if:

• You should have a routine eye examination every 1–2 years if you are over 60, or more often if you have diabetes, to check for cataracts and other eye conditions.

Diagnosis

An eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) will examine your eyes using special instruments after giving you drops to widen your pupils.

Tests that may be done

• Visual acuity test – reading letters on a chart
• Slit lamp exam – a microscope with a bright light to look at the structures of the eye
• Retinal exam after pupil dilation
• Tonometry – puff of air or a gentle touch to measure eye pressure

What to expect at your appointment

The exam is painless. The dilation drops may make your vision blurry and your eyes sensitive to light for a few hours, so bring sunglasses and arrange for someone to drive you home.

Treatment

The only treatment for cataracts that restores clear vision is surgery. But in early stages, stronger lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, and updated glasses can help. Surgery is recommended when cataracts start affecting your daily activities like reading, driving, or recognising faces.

Self-care at home

• Use brighter lighting at home
• Wear sunglasses or a hat with a brim to reduce glare
• Use magnifying lenses for reading or close work
• Update your glasses prescription regularly

Medical treatments

There are no medications or eye drops proven to reverse cataracts. Only surgery can remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one (called an intraocular lens, or IOL). The surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic so you are awake but your eye is numb. The surgeon makes a tiny incision, uses ultrasound to break up the cataract, and then inserts the new lens. The procedure is outpatient, meaning you go home the same day.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is considered when cataracts interfere with your quality of life. Your eye doctor will help you decide the right time based on your vision and what activities are important to you.

Living with this condition

After cataract surgery, most people notice improved vision within a few days. You will need to use prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. Avoid rubbing your eye, and follow your doctor’s advice about when you can safely drive, swim, or return to work. Full healing takes about 4–6 weeks.

Lifestyle tips

• Use dark sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from glare
• Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for the first week after surgery
• Wear a protective eye shield at night while sleeping for the first week
• Do not swim or use hot tubs for at least two weeks after surgery

Diet and exercise

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids may support overall eye health. After surgery, light walking is fine, but avoid activities that could strain your eye or expose it to dust or water until your doctor says it is safe.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is normal to feel anxious about eye surgery, but most people find the procedure less stressful than expected. Temporary vision changes during recovery can be frustrating. If you feel down or anxious, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. For immediate emotional support, contact a crisis helpline in your country.

Prevention

There is no proven way to prevent cataracts entirely, but a healthy lifestyle may delay their development. Protecting your eyes from UV light, not smoking, eating well, and managing conditions like diabetes can help.

Vaccines

No vaccines are available for cataracts.

Screening programmes

Routine eye exams are important to detect cataracts early, especially as you age. Your optometrist can advise you on how often to be checked.

Complications

If left untreated

• Your vision will continue to worsen, making it difficult to read, drive, or recognise faces
• Increased risk of falls and accidents
• In very advanced cases, the cataract can become completely white (hypermature) and cause inflammation or glaucoma

Long-term outlook

Cataract surgery is highly successful and restores clear vision in the vast majority of people. Complications are uncommon, and if they occur, they are usually treatable. With proper preparation and aftercare, your eyesight can improve dramatically, allowing you to return to your normal activities.

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