• What are they?
• What are the symptoms?
• What causes them?
• Can they be treated?
• How can I avoid losing vision to cataracts?
• Where can I find more information?

What are they?

Cataracts are a clouding of either one or both of the eye’s normally clear lens.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include blurred, hazy or double vision, sensitivity to bright lights and eyesight that worsens or cannot be treated with new prescriptions.

What causes them?

Most cataracts are a natural part of ageing, but they can also be influenced by other factors such as certain diseases, medications, injury, UV exposure and smoking.

Can they be treated?

Yes. Cataracts can be treated by having surgery, where the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a synthetic one. Risks of cataract surgery are relatively small, and vision usually improves in more than 95% of cases.

How can I avoid losing vision to cataracts?

While it may not be possible to avoid the development of cataracts altogether, you can sufficiently lower your risk by:

• stopping smoking
• wearing 99-100% UV protective sunglasses
• lowering your alchohol consumption
• maintaining a healthy weight
• having regular eye examinations

Where can I find more information?

More information on cataracts can be found on the following websites:

http://www.medem.com/MedLB
www.vquest.org/cataracts.pdf

The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind can be contacted on 0800 24 33 33 or email general