Cataracts

Cataracts are when the lens, a small transparent disc inside your eye, develops cloudy patches.

Over time these patches usually become bigger causing blurry, misty vision and eventually blindness.Cataracts usually appear in both eyes. They may not necessarily develop at the same time or be the same in each eye.

They're more common in older adults and can affect your ability to carry out daily activities such as driving.

Cataracts can also affect babies and young children.

Your optician will do a series of eye tests, including a visual acuity exam, which measures how well you see at various distances. If your optician thinks you have cataracts, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for more tests and treatment.

If your cataracts are not too bad, stronger glasses and brighter reading lights may help for a while.

Vision Matters have developed a vision simulator, this simulator allows you to experience their website as if you had a particular eye condition. To use the vision simulator please follow the link below, this will take you to the Vision Matters website. The link demonstrates how Cataracts can affect vision, you can remove the simulation by selecting 'Off' at the top of the webpage.

Vision Matters Vision Simulator

For more information about cataracts the NHS website has lots of useful information, guidance and support.

Image taken from piedmonteye.com