Age-related cataracts

About age-related cataracts

When we're young, our lenses are usually like clear glass, allowing us to see through them. As we get older, they start to become frosted, like bathroom glass. This begins to limit our vision.

Cataracts usually appear in both eyes. They may not necessarily develop at the same time or be the same in each eye.

They're more common in older adults. They can affect your ability to carry out daily activities such as driving.

Cataracts can also affect babies and young children. For more information, read about childhood cataracts.

When to get medical advice

You should see an optician if you have any of these symptoms:

• your eyesight is blurred or misty
• you find lights too bright or glaring
• you find it harder to see in low light
• colours look faded

If you wear glasses, you may feel your lenses are dirty and need cleaning, even when they don't.

Cataracts aren't usually painful and don't make your eyes red or irritated. But cataracts can be painful if they're in an advanced stage or if you've got another eye condition.

Your optician will do a series of eye tests. These will include a visual acuity exam. This measures how well you see at various distances.

If your optician thinks you have cataracts, you may be referred to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) for more tests and treatment.

Treating age-related cataracts

If your cataracts aren't too bad, stronger glasses and brighter reading lights may help for a while.

But cataracts get worse over time. So you'll eventually need surgery to remove and replace the affected lens.

Surgery is the only treatment that's proven to be effective for cataracts.

• Read about cataract surgery

Driving and cataracts

If you have cataracts, it could affect your ability to drive.

You must tell the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) if you have cataracts in both eyes.

You don't need to tell the DVA if you have cataracts in only one eye, unless you:

• also have a medical condition in the other eye
• drive for a living

If you drive a taxi, bus, coach or lorry, you must tell the DVA if you have cataracts in one or both eyes.

• Read about medical conditions and driving

Causes of age-related cataracts

It's not entirely clear why we are more likely to develop cataracts as we get older. But some things may increase your risk of cataracts, including:

• a family history of cataracts
• smoking 
• diabetes
• eye injury
• long-term use of steroids
• drinking too much alcohol