The short answer
A cataract is clouding of the lens inside the eye: sight becomes hazy, and an operation replaces the lens and usually restores sight. Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, usually from pressure in the eye: it steals side vision silently, and sight already lost cannot be restored, only protected. Both are common in older adults in Nigeria, they can occur together, and only an eye examination tells them apart.
See a verified eye specialistMedically 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.
Side by side
- What is affected: cataract, the lens at the front of the eye; glaucoma, the optic nerve at the back
- How it feels: cataract, hazy or dim sight, glare, faded colours; glaucoma, usually nothing until late, then patchy or narrowed vision
- Can lost sight return: cataract, usually yes after surgery; glaucoma, no
- Treatment: cataract, surgery when it affects daily life; glaucoma, lifelong drops, laser or surgery to lower pressure
- Urgency: cataract, plan it when it affects your life; glaucoma, start treatment once diagnosed and never stop
Why people mix them up
In many Nigerian languages and homes, both may be called by the same name, or any loss of sight in an older person is put down to age. Both can blur sight. But a cataract operation does not treat glaucoma, and glaucoma drops do not clear a cataract. Someone with both may need both treated.
Which is more serious?
Glaucoma is generally the more dangerous of the two, because the damage is permanent and often found late. Cataract is a leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, and the sight is usually recoverable even after a long wait, though waiting carries its own risks. The safest step for either is the same: a full eye examination, including pressure and a look at the nerve.
Warning signs that are neither
Go to an eye emergency service the same day for:
- Sudden loss of sight in one or both eyes
- A sudden, very painful red eye with blurred sight, headache or vomiting
- Flashes, a shower of floaters or a curtain over your sight
What it costs on Mezo
Standard monofocal lens, biometry and both post-operative reviews included.
Common questions
Can I have cataract and glaucoma at the same time?
Yes, and it is common in older adults. Sometimes both are treated in one plan or one operation.
Can cataract surgery cure glaucoma?
Not in general. In some narrow-angle glaucoma, removing the lens helps the drainage, but glaucoma still needs its own checks and treatment.
Can herbal drops cure either?
No. No herbal or traditional drop has been shown to treat cataract or glaucoma, and some cause infections or burns to the eye.
What do the treatments cost on Mezo?
Cataract surgery starts from ₦420,000 per eye and glaucoma surgery starts from ₦480,000, each with a written all-in quote after the assessment.
The procedures
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Glaucoma. NHS. Patient information.
- Cataracts in adults. NHS. Patient information.
- Blindness and vision impairment. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.