Cataract
A cataract is clouding of the lens inside the eye, which sits behind the pupil and focuses light. Most cataracts come with age, but diabetes, steroid use, eye injury and long exposure to strong sunlight bring them on earlier. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in Nigeria, and it is reversible: surgery replaces the cloudy lens with a clear artificial one, usually in under an hour, and sight often returns within days.
Find a Ophthalmology SpecialistGet a fixed surgery quote on Mezo SurgeryMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Cloudy, blurred or misty vision
- Glare from headlights and sunlight
- Colours that look faded or yellowed
- Difficulty reading or recognising faces
- Frequent changes of glasses prescription
- Double vision in one eye
- A white or grey pupil in advanced cataract
When to See a Doctor
See an ophthalmologist if your vision is blurred or dim and new glasses are not helping, or if glare makes driving at night difficult. A full eye examination also checks for glaucoma and diabetic eye disease, which cause similar complaints. See a doctor urgently for sudden loss of vision, a painful red eye, or flashes and new floaters. A child with a white pupil needs to be seen within days.
Treatment options
- Updated glasses and better lighting in the early stages
- Cataract surgery: the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL)
- Phacoemulsification (small incision) or manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS)
- A choice of lens types, including lenses that reduce the need for glasses
- Laser treatment (YAG capsulotomy) if vision clouds again months or years later
What it costs on Mezo
Published cash prices for the operations used to treat this condition. Your own quote follows an examination.
Common Questions
Is couching safe for cataract?
No. Couching, where a traditional practitioner pushes the lens to the back of the eye, is still practised in parts of Nigeria and often causes permanent blindness through infection, glaucoma and damage inside the eye. Modern cataract surgery is far safer and restores clear vision.
When is the right time for cataract surgery?
When the cataract is affecting your daily life, such as reading, work or driving. You do not need to wait until it is 'ripe': modern surgery is easier and safer before the cataract becomes very dense.
Can eye drops dissolve a cataract?
No. No drop, herb or supplement has been shown to reverse a cataract. Surgery is the only effective treatment.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
Most people need reading glasses after a standard lens. Lenses that correct astigmatism or cover more than one distance can reduce the need for glasses; your surgeon will explain which suits your eyes.
Need Help?
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