Cataracts are a common eye condition, especially in older people. The different types of cataracts, all affecting the lens of the eye, can lead to a range of symptoms that impact your eye health. Cataracts lead to clouding in the lens of the eye which can cause blurred vision. Other symptoms include struggling with glare from lights, trouble seeing in low light, and colours appearing faded. Untreated cataracts can cause blindness, but eye surgery can replace the affected lens with an artificial one - cataract surgery is the most common elective surgery in the UK (Source: NICE). You can find more information about the causes, symptoms and treatments of cataracts on the NHS website.
If you’re living with cataracts – perhaps while you’re waiting for an operation – there are some small changes that could help you carry on with daily activities, along with guidance on things like cataracts and driving. Some lifestyle changes include:
At Guide Dogs, we have a wide range of services, both with and without guide dogs, and a team of experts who can work with you to understand your needs and agree on a plan that’s right for you.
The ways we could help you:
Enquire today, so we can help to find solutions that work for you
Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.
Age-related cataracts are common in older people. Around 24% of people aged 70-74 have cataracts, rising to 71% in people over 85 (Source: NICE). Cataracts can also form in children, but this is less common, occurring in around 4 in 10,000 children by the age of 15 (Source: NICE).
Most types of cataracts develop gradually over the years. The exact rate can depend on your age, lifestyle, and other conditions you may have.
Your cataracts can be monitored, and you can decide with your doctor when it’s appropriate to have surgery.
If left untreated for a long time, cataracts will affect your sight more seriously and can eventually cause sight loss. However, cataracts tend to develop gradually, and surgery is possible before cataracts get to this stage.
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