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IN THIS VIDEO I PROVIDE A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF CATARACTS
Everything you need to know about cataracts
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CATARACTS AND WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH
Cataracts are opaque, or cloudy, lenses in the eyes that should be otherwise transparent. It is a very common condition affecting vision. Over time, these cloudy patches grow, gradually affecting your sight and making daily tasks, including driving, and reading very difficult. Cataracts may develop in only one eye, but they usually affect both. Most commonly, cataracts occur in older people and usually develop gradually.
However, children and babies can be affected by cataracts too. The condition is more common than you may think, with around 300,000 cataract surgeries being performed in the UK each year. In fact, cataracts are responsible for 51% of world blindness, which represents about 20 million people per year.
In the eye, cataracts develop as cloudy, opaque areas. In normal circumstances, the lens should be clear. A cataract, on the other hand, causes the affected lens to appear like frosted glass.
The lenses of the eye are located behind the pupil, the opening in the coloured part of the eye (iris). A ring of supporting tissues holds the lens in place. It focuses on the image of what you see on the retina.
The lens is formed of water and protein and is typically clear as a result of protein arrangements. However, ageing and other various reasons may provoke some of the protein to ‘clump together’, making clear natural lens cloudy, which, over time, may develop and grow, causing vision impairment. In addition, lenses gradually discolour with age, acquiring a brown tinge that can affect colour vision and make reading more difficult.
There are three different patterns of cataract gradual formation on the natural lens:
- Nuclear cataracts begin building up deep in the central part of the lens and are usually associated with ageing.
- Cortical cataracts develop with white, wedge-like cloudy areas on the outer edges (periphery) of the lens, gradually increasing towards the centre and are commonly seen in people with hypertension and diabetes.
- Subcapsular cataracts are forming at the back of the lens and mostly affect people with diabetes or those taking oral steroid medications.
Age-related cataract (senile cataract)
In the UK about 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 have at least one cataract, making it the most common type of cataract that affects older people, equally – men and women, when both eyes are usually affected, with one being typically worse.
Due to the lack of symptoms and the gradual nature of development, most age-related cataracts take many years to form, making it difficult to realise they have a little cloudiness. For that reason, the cataract will be diagnosed for most people at a routine eye check before symptoms ever develop.
For some people, the cataract never becomes bad enough to impair vision. However, in many cases, vision becomes gradually worse over the years.
Congenital cataract (present at birth)
There are no specific syndromes associated with congenital cataracts, 
however, genetic mutation is likely to be the most common cause. It is very important for doctors to check infants for cataracts first at birth, then at 6-8 week routine check, as although they are uncommon, early diagnosis and intervention are crucial. This is because impaired vision can drastically affect the child’s development and early learning as the child discovers the world through the eyes.
Other Types of Cataracts
- Cataracts may develop due to an accident or injury to the eye and radiation exposure.
- People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts.
- People may increase their chances of developing cataracts after a prolonged time of using steroid drops or oral steroid medication.
Some research suggests that lifestyle can add to an increased risk of developing cataracts in people with a poor diet (especially with a lack of carotenoids and vitamin deficiency), excessive exposure to UV radiation, especially UV-B, and even smoking.
A slightly blurred vision is the most common early symptom of cataracts. Other symptoms may start to present later:
- Spots in your vision.
- Haloes around bright lights, street lights.
- Difficulty with vision during the night.
- Becoming easily dazzled by bright lights such as the headlights of an oncoming car.
- Need for more light during activities like reading.
- Double vision in one eye.
- Seeing less well in brightly lit rooms or in sunshine.
- Washing out or fading of colours.
- Over the years your vision may gradually become worse.
Over time, these symptoms lead to feelings of anxiety, fear and sadness in some. Some people describe their lives as “shrinking” as their vision worsens. Most patients report daily difficulties as a result of their eye condition and gradual macular degeneration.
Please note that not all people with cataracts will suffer from the same group of symptoms. You may only experience a handful of the ones listed above. It can be difficult to detect these symptoms early as cataracts develop in a small section of your eye. Therefore, you may not notice vision loss straight away. However, these symptoms will progress over time. Once you identify a symptom, you must book an appointment with a medical professional at your nearest convenience.
Ageing or a recent injury causes most cataract cases. However, there are some underlying causes associated with the condition on the list below:
- Smoking.
- Serious diseases like diabetes.
- Previous eye injury or inflammation.
- Previous eye surgery.
- Radiation therapy.
- Overproduction of antioxidants.
- Exposure to UV radiation.
- Long-term use of certain medications and steroids.
- Family history of cataracts.
- High-blood pressure (hypertension).
- Use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a prolonged period (more than ten years).
- Obesity.
- Severe short-sightedness (myopia).
Cataracts form when our eye’s lens diminishes, becoming inflexible and thin. This is usually a result of ageing. The lens starts to break down as a result of protein clumping together, which causes the lens to cloud over. As the condition develops, the clouding worsens. This can lead to issues like vision loss when left untreated.
Cataracts can be diagnosed using a range of eye examinations such as:
- Visual acuity tests
- Retinal exams
- Slit-lamp examinations
- Applanation tonometry
Your doctor will also review your medical history and symptoms. You should aim to get your eyes tested every two years to spot issues like cataracts early. Failure to seek treatment or get a diagnosis for the condition will cause cataracts to develop over time, resulting in enhanced vision loss. Our team at Eye Clinic London can help you get the early diagnosis you deserve.
If you find that your prescription glasses no longer aid your vision, you may need to result in another form of treatment. There are currently no eye drops, medicine or laser to treat cataracts. The only effective treatment is cataract surgery.
Also known as lens replacement surgery, cataract surgery has a high success rate in improving vision.
Your eye’s clouded lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens. The surgery usually takes 10-20 minutes and you will be discharged on the same day.
During the surgery, the area around your eye will be numbed with a local anaesthetic to ease discomfort. However, you will be awake during the treatment. You can go home after the procedure and are not required to stay in the hospital. Visit our cataract surgery page for more information.
You and your ophthalmologist will discuss when cataract surgery is the right option for you, as this is a personal decision, you might want to consider the severity of cataracts and how they affect your lifestyle.
If you feel like the condition is affecting your quality of life, general health and fitness, or interfering with your daily activities, such as reading and driving, this may be a sign that you need to get your cataracts removed.
Eye Clinic London is a dedicated team trained extensively in all areas of ophthalmology. We ensure that our clients receive safe and effective treatment for their eyes – while acknowledging that all of our client’s circumstances are unique.
Our team can help you diagnose cataracts and provide treatment to help you overcome your condition, so you can return to your daily activities without worrying about your vision.
Private cataract surgeons can provide their patients with their attention from start to finish. This can often help many patients feel safer and more cared for – especially those who have understandable anxiety surrounding having an eye procedure. If you would like to know more about the services we offer, don’t hesitate to book a consultation today.
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How to get cataract surgery in London
FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST IN 3 EASY STEPS
STEP 1: CONTACT US
To get the answers to all your questions, give us a call or click the button below to book a free video appointment with an optometrist or our Consultant Ophthalmologist, Samer Hamada.
STEP 2: LET’S MEET
Visit our clinic in London’s Harley Street district and we’ll conduct a thorough examination and consultation to get to know your eyes.
STEP 3: FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS
Have the confidence of knowing that a caring eye care professional is managing your eye condition so you can focus on matters most.
Even more information about cataracts
VIDEO AND BLOG POSTS TO THAT FURTHER EXPLAIN AND ILLUSTRATE CATARACTS
Smoking And Cataracts
Smoking negatively affects your health. However, does it impact cataracts, and if so, how? Learn more about smoking and cataracts with Eye Clinic London.
Cloudy Vision After Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is necessary to restore your vision. But can it become clouded again after surgery? Learn more with Eye Clinic London.
Cataract Surgery Waiting Lists
Cataract surgery is vital, but NHS waiting times can be lengthy. Discover the short wait time for private surgery with Eye Clinic London.
Potential cataract surgery complications
Cataract surgery is generally highly successful, but complications can occur. Learn more about potential cataract surgery complications with Eye Clinic London.
Can Cataracts Be Reversed Naturally?
Cataracts occur when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy and opaque, leading to changes in your vision, such as blurring and dulled colours. These alterations can make daily tasks a challenge.
Patient Reviews
MY PATIENTS ARE MY BEST PROMOTERS
“As soon as I met Mr Hamada, I knew I was in safe hands. He is an expert in his field, and very reassuring. His work was impeccable, and I would thoroughly recommend him to anyone wanting a professional, kindly, expert service.”
“I came all the way from the US to be evaluated by Mr. Samer Hamada who provided me with a world-class experience. I was treated with technology that doesn’t exist in the United States. My vision improved significantly since the surgery. Mr. Samer Hamada is definitely a Keratoconus expert.”
“I am glad to be with Mr Hamada. I am glad to be examined by Mr Hamada who acts responsibly and professionally. I never had this experience before from a previous ophthalmologist. I am thankful to Mr Hamada for the successful diagnosis and treatment of my case.”
“What a Consultant. Dr. Hamada is a man who was born for this profession. As soon as we walked into the room you felt that you had met a man who was gentle and kind. His demeanour was of a man who knew his trade. He speaks in a way that you will understand. He explains exactly what is wrong and the way he will help fix it for you.”
“My eyes got really sore, tired and gritty feeling this year. It kept getting worse for about 6 months and every time I thought about it, I kept thinking it would eventually go away, but it just didn’t budge. So I want to say a big thank you to eye doctor Mr Samer Hamada who finally sorted me out! Apart from the eye tests I expected, he also took a really personal approach. I appreciate that he asked questions about my whole diet and lifestyle which helped him to quickly figure out why my eye surface was inflamed. I now have simple steps I can take to reduce the inflammation through diet and lifestyle changes which I’ve now been doing for 2 weeks. I also have been using the special non-preservative eye drops and gels that Mr Hamada provided. My eyes are already feeling so much better and I’m so relieved to have had help to sort this out. If you’ve been noticing your eyes getting dry – don’t wait to sort it out as it keeps getting continually worse and you can find relief very quickly with the right help.”
“Mr Hamada’s London Eye Care and his team are a delight. Nothing was too much trouble and the help, support, advice and guidance before during and after the surgery was all world class. I have worn glasses since the age of 13 years and had the onset of cataracts for the last five so it has all been very much a life changing experience to be free from glasses once more.”
“We saw Mr Hamada after our 14-year-old son was diagnosed with keratoconus by another specialist. Mr Hamada talked us through the pros and cons of the cxl epi off and epi on procedures, he answered all our many and detailed questions without rushing us and as openly and honestly as possible. We opted to go ahead with cxl epi off with Mr Hamada. Our experience with Mr Hamada and his team, from his incredibly informative and supportive Secretary Joanna, nurse Mimi and Mr Hamada himself who was incredibly reassuring and put us and our son at ease both before, during and after the procedure, and at each follow-on appointment, has been the best possible. I would go so far as to say that he and his team are by far the best medical team I have ever experienced. I recommend him highly and would be happy to speak to anyone considering an expert in this field.”
“I would not hesitate to recommend Dr Hamada and his team. From the first call to inquire about booking an appointment to booking it, I was so impressed with his wonderful secretary Joanna- she really is worth her weight in gold, her lovely manner and care made me decide to go for this clinic. Dr Hamada was a lovely man with a very kind and thorougher way about him – he put my 4-year-old daughter at ease. The appointment was lengthy but at no point were we rushed and able to ask as many questions- things were explained so well. I would have no hesitation at all to recommend anyone to use Dr Hamada and his team- I have already recommended to some other parents.”
“Mr Hamada, his assistant Joanna and his ophthalmic technicians provide a caring, efficient and high quality service. From the admin through to the surgical aftercare we were very well looked after and we had a high degree of confidence in Mr Hamada’s abilities. Our daughter’s cataracts have been corrected (under general anaesthetic) and her quality of life has improved substantially. You also feel well cared for throughout – the human touch is vital in healthcare, but not always delivered, so well done and thanks to all of the team.”
“We were referred to Dr.Hamada by one of the UK experts. The expert himself admitted that Dr.Hamada was better than him!! We were not disappointed at all. Dr. Hamada was excellent with my child. His communication skills and knowledge were exemplary. He gave us clear management plan and would not hesitate to recommend him.”
“Dr Hamada is an excellent, highly competent doctor with a very kind and sympathetic manner. His reputation for successfully treating dry eye patients seems unparalleled. His team are all extremely friendly and helpful, especially Dr Hamada’s PA Joanna, making the overall experience better than anywhere else I’ve been!”
“Appointment setting and follow-up were very efficient and well managed. Mr Hamada was kind, reassuring, knowledgeable and had a very warm manner with my young son, making him instantly feel at ease. I feel that we can trust him and that he will finally be able to solve my son’s long-term eye problems that have stumped other eye doctors.”
“A real care provider – true in letter and spirit. After having seen few other consultants we were lucky to see Mr. Hamada. He treated my mother’s eyes and the prolonged inflammation finally went away. My mother went on to receive a corneal graft. Mr. Hamada and his clinic are simply wonderful. Their response is immediate every time even if it’s the weekend. Mr. Hamada puts a lot of personal attention answering every question very patiently and alleviating any fears. His manner is so kind that puts his patients completely at ease. This caring trait continues in the rest of his staff especially his assistant Joanna. I really can’t thank them enough. I thoroughly recommend anyone with eye problems to go to Mr. Hamada. You couldn’t be in better hands. He has treated my mother who is a long sufferer of eye problems. I am grateful always to Mr. Hamada and Joanna for all the support they have provided throughout.”
We have replaced some of the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.
Helpful links to more information about cataract surgery
COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION FROM CATARACT AUTHORITIES
About the expert
Mr Hamada | Consultant Ophthalmologist and Corneal Surgeon
MD, MSc, DO (hons), FRCSEd, FRCOphth I am Samer, founder and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in ophthalmology. I am a world-renowned specialist in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. I’m not only a leading surgeon but also the only dual fellowship trained in corneal diseases in children from reputable institutions in the UK. At Eye Clinic London I work closely with other consultant ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists to achieve the best outcomes for our patients. Our main aim is to make sure our patients get the safest and best treatments available to them. We put your safety before anything else so you can rest assured that if you choose us you will be in the best and safest hands.