05/12/2025

Eye Conditions: What Are Cataracts?

The lens inside your eye is like the lens of a camera, or a windscreen of a car. When its clean it works perfectly! But when it’s dirty, you can’t see clearly. This is exactly what a cataract does. The lens on the inside of the eye gets cloudy and causes your vision to feel blurry.

Signs To Look Out For

The problem is with the lens, not with the eyes themselves. So, if you get a new spectacles and you still can’t see clearly, that could be a cataract. Look out for…

  • Blurred, cloudy, or dim vision
  • Difficulty driving at night
  • Lights that appear bright and become haloes
  • Colours become dim
  • Always needing a new pair of glasses

Sound familiar? Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions in midlife and beyond. 

What Causes It?

The main reason: age.
Although, other lifestyle factors can also contribute:

  • Lots of sun and UV exposure without sunglasses
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Certain medications
  • Trauma

The Good News: Cataracts Are Totally Fixable

Cataract surgery is one of the safest, quickest, and most successful procedures out there. The cloudy lens is swapped for a clear artificial lens.  It’s like having a brand-new pair of glasses, but they’re inside your eye

The recovery only takes a couple of days, with noticeably clearer vision.

Can You Prevent It?


You can’t fully prevent cataracts, but you can protect your eyes:

  • Sunglasses (It protects your eyes and keeps you looking fresh)
  • Don’t smoke
  • Have a diverse diet, colourful plate filled with vegetables
  • Keep diabetes well-managed
  • Get regular eye exams — especially after 40

What’s The Bottom Line

Cataracts aren’t something to fear — but it’s good to be aware of it. With the treatment options available today, clearer vision is entirely within reach. If you’re becoming aware of any changes, a quick eye exam can make a huge difference.