Cataract surgery isn't only for the older generation

Whilst they are more likely to present in people over the age of 50 due to the natural ageing process of the lens of eye, there are several other types of cataracts that can also affect the vision of younger patients.

What is a cataract?
 A cataract is a disorder in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy decreasing one’s vision.
In a healthy eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the back of the eye to create a sharp image. However if the lens is cloudy, the image that reaches the retina will appear blurry. 
Cataracts are the number one cause of preventable blindness in the world.

Congenital cataracts
Congenital cataracts are cataracts that are usually diagnosed at birth.
Congenital cataracts can occur in one, or both eyes. They can be caused by isolated incidents such as trauma to the eye, infection or ocular abnormalities or can be genetically inherited. They can be treated in much the same way as age-related cataracts.

Treatment of age-related cataracts
Cataracts can only be treated by undergoing cataract surgery. 
Cataract surgery is done in hospital usually as a day-only admission. You will remain awake during surgery; however your eye will be numbed using local anesthesia. 
Modern cataract surgery uses advanced microsurgical techniques that reduce the time you will need to be admitted – most people are able to return home shortly after the procedure.
Your surgeon will schedule a follow up date to perform cataract surgery on your second eye. 

After cataract surgery
It may take some time for your visual system to adjust to the surgery, so don’t be alarmed if your vision still appears slightly blurry for the first few days. It can take several hours to several days for your eyes to adjust.
You may also feel a mild scratchiness after undergoing surgery, and generally we recommend using lubricating drops for a few weeks after surgery.
After one month, your eyes should feel completely normal, but with clearer vision!