A cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens of the eye, which is situated behind the iris and through which light passes to the retina. As the clouding progresses, vision gradually diminishes and is eventually lost.

Cataracts are usually associated with ageing, but can also be hereditary or related to trauma or other eye conditions. Smoking and exposure to ultraviolet light also increase the risk of cataracts.

Most cataracts can be corrected by surgery to remove the cloudy lens from the lens capsule and replace it with a permanent artificial lens. As long as the eye is otherwise healthy, cataract surgery has a high success rate and recovery is usually rapid.

Coastal Eye Centre offers the highest standard of expertise in cataract surgery.