A cataract is a clouding of the lens inside your eye. This is mainly the result of the eyes ageing process and more than half of the population over the age of 65 have cataracts to some extent. But you shouldn’t worry about having cataracts as you get older. They usually develop slowly and are not painful. Many people with cataracts find their vision is acceptable and will not require treatment.

If you develop a cataract, you will eventually experience deteriorating eyesight, sometimes blurred or double vision, and a yellowish tinge to everything you see. A lot can be done to help this by changing your spectacle lenses, sometimes tinted lenses are a help.

Only in the minority of cases will cataracts seriously affect your vision and then a simple operation can usually solve the problem. This replaces the cloudy lens with a plastic one which enables you to see clearly again almost instantly.

Cataracts are one of several conditions that can affect your eyes as you get older. It is important to have regular eye examinations at intervals specified by your Optometrist. If you are aged 60 or over, you are entitled to free eye examinations under the NHS.