What Is A Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, the structure that sits behind the iris and focuses light onto the retina. As the lens loses its clarity, light scatters rather than focusing sharply, and vision gradually becomes blurred, hazy or dulled in colour.
Cataracts most commonly develop with age, though they can appear earlier as a result of eye injury, long-term steroid use, diabetes or other underlying health conditions. Because the change happens slowly, many people don’t notice how much clarity they’ve lost until it’s measured and compared.
You may have a cataract if you notice:
- Blurring of distance or reading vision
- Colours appearing duller or yellowed
- Glare or halos when driving at night
- Frequent changes to your glasses prescription
- Difficulty seeing clearly in low light
At A Glance
- Day-case procedure
- Local anaesthetic
- Takes 20 to 30 minutes
- Self-pay and insured patients
Other Conditions
- Glaucoma
- Ocular Hypertension
- Age-Related Eye Changes
- General Eye Complaints
Concerned About Cataracts?
Book an assessment with Mr Miles Parnell to find out whether surgery is right for you.
How Cataract Is Diagnosed
Cataract is usually confirmed during a routine eye examination. Your vision is measured, drops are used to dilate the pupil, and the lens is examined under a slit lamp microscope to assess the type and density of the cataract.
If surgery is being considered, biometry measurements of the eye are taken to calculate the power of the new lens implant, and the health of the rest of the eye is checked. This assessment also rules out other causes of blurred vision, so you can be confident the correct condition is being treated.
What To Expect From Surgery
Cataract surgery is a day-case procedure performed under local anaesthetic, usually taking 15 to 20 minutes. The cloudy lens is removed through a tiny, self-sealing incision and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant, with a choice of standard or premium lens options available depending on your visual goals.
Risks & Safety
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and safest operations in medicine. As with any surgery, a small number of complications and side effects are possible, and Mr Parnell will discuss these with you in full so you can make an informed decision.
Recovery
Most patients notice improved vision within a few days, though full healing can take several weeks. Eye drops are used during recovery to reduce inflammation and prevent infection, and your glasses prescription is usually updated once the eye has fully healed, typically after four to six weeks.
When To Seek Help
If you experience worsening pain, redness or worsening vision after surgery, contact the practice promptly on 020 3494 4395, or attend an emergency department out of hours.
At A Glance
- Day-case procedure
- Local anaesthetic
- Takes 20–30 minutes
- Self-pay & insured patients
Other Conditions
Concerned About Cataracts?
Book an assessment with Mr Miles Parnell to find out whether surgery is right for you.
Common Cataract Symptoms
Blurred Vision
Gradual clouding or blurring of distance and reading vision.
Glare At Night
Glare and halos from headlights that make night driving difficult.
Faded Colours
Colours appear dimmer, yellowed or less vivid than they used to.
Prescription Changes
Frequent changes of glasses or contact lens prescription.
Reading Difficulty
Needing brighter light or struggling with small print despite glasses.
Double Vision
Ghosting or double images seen with one eye open.
Your Cataract Surgery Journey
A clear pathway from first assessment through to restored vision.
Consultation & Biometry
Full assessment and precise eye measurements to plan your surgery and lens choice.
Day-Case Surgery
The cloudy lens is gently removed under local anaesthetic, usually 15 to 20 minutes.
Lens Implant
A new artificial lens is implanted: standard, toric or premium EDOF options.
Recovery & Aftercare
Drops for a few weeks, a follow-up appointment, and most activities resume quickly.
Choosing Your Lens Implant
Monofocal
A single-focus lens, usually set for clear distance vision with reading glasses for near tasks.
Toric
Corrects astigmatism for sharper vision when combined with your cataract surgery.
Trifocal & EDOF
Premium lenses giving distance, intermediate and near focus, reducing reliance on glasses.