Cataract: what is it?

There is a lens inside your eye. It sits just behind the coloured part, the iris. Its job is to focus light onto the retina.

When you are young, the lens is clear. Light passes through easily. You see the world in full colour, in full clarity.

But with time, the lens turns cloudy. You may not notice it at first. A bit more glare while driving. A struggle to read fine print. Colours no longer seem as vivid.

That is how a cataract begins.

A slow, silent fog. It is forme by the clumping of proteins in the lens. The once-clear lens turns opaque. And you see the world as if through frosted glass. It happens to almost everyone, it is a question of time.

Why does this happen?

The primary reason is age. But it is not just about getting older. Smoking. Long-term use of steroids. Even diabetes can speed it up. Poor nutrition makes things worse.

It can affect one eye or both. It can grow slowly or rapidly. But one thing is certain. It will not go away on its own.

You cannot fix a cataract with glasses. Or eye drops. The only treatment is surgery.

A surgeon removes the cloudy lens. And replaces it with an artificial one. It takes less than an hour. And the results can be life-changing.

So what can you do before that?

Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses that block UV light. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Leafy greens, nuts, berries. Quit smoking. Control your blood sugar. Get regular eye check-ups, especially after forty.

The sooner you fix your cataract, the better it is for your eyesight.

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