24 HRS
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Over 60% of people over the age of 60,
and quite a few younger than that are
affected by cataracts – it is so common
that almost everyone will develop a
cataract if they live long enough.
and quite a few younger than that are
affected by cataracts – it is so common
that almost everyone will develop a
cataract if they live long enough.
Every eye contains a small lens. In a young normal eye
this lens is clear and focuses the light entering the eye
onto the retina. As we age the lens begins to harden
and loses the ability to focus from near to distance and
back again. This is known as presbyopia and begins
around the age of 40 years. The earliest symptom is
difficulty seeing things up close and bifocal or varifocal
glasses become necessary for some people to see
clearly at all distances.
As the natural lens in the eye continues to age further it
starts to become cloudy and brown in colour preventing
and colours lose their brilliance. This is called a cataract.
At first frequent changes in glasses prescription can
help, but left untreated cataracts can eventually lead to
blindness.
this lens is clear and focuses the light entering the eye
onto the retina. As we age the lens begins to harden
and loses the ability to focus from near to distance and
back again. This is known as presbyopia and begins
around the age of 40 years. The earliest symptom is
difficulty seeing things up close and bifocal or varifocal
glasses become necessary for some people to see
clearly at all distances.
As the natural lens in the eye continues to age further it
starts to become cloudy and brown in colour preventing
and colours lose their brilliance. This is called a cataract.
At first frequent changes in glasses prescription can
help, but left untreated cataracts can eventually lead to
blindness.
Retina
Lens
What is a Cataract?