Cataract Symptoms

Cataracts tend to develop gradually. You might notice blurred vision, increased glare — especially when driving at night — halos around lights, faded colours, or that your glasses just don't seem to work as well as they used to. If any of that sounds familiar, cataract is a common explanation.

That said, not all blurred vision is cataract. Conditions such as macular degeneration and other retinal conditions can present similarly but require different treatment. An assessment is the only way to tell them apart.

To arrange a cataract assessment, call (02) 8544 0719.

Common Questions

Do cataracts have to be "ripe" before they can be removed?

No — that idea is out of date. Modern cataract surgery doesn't wait for a cataract to become dense or "ripe". Surgery is generally considered once the changes in your vision affect your quality of life, whatever stage the cataract is at.

Can cataracts be treated with eye drops or glasses instead of surgery?

There is no eye drop or medication that clears a cataract. Updating your glasses may help for a while, but once stronger glasses no longer keep up with the changes, surgery is the only effective treatment.

How quickly do cataracts get worse, and is there any harm in waiting?

Cataracts usually progress slowly, over months to years, and the pace varies from person to person. For most people there is no harm in waiting until the symptoms bother them enough to act — an assessment is the way to confirm there is nothing that makes earlier surgery advisable.