Cataracts

Cataracts are a common, painless eye condition where the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, leading to blurred or dim vision, most often developing with age

Around 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 in the UK have cataracts

Around 1 in 3 people over theage of 65 ¹in the UK have cataracts, behind this statistic are millions of people across the UK experiencing changes to their sight later in life.

Causes of Cataracts

Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, usually as a result of ageing. Over time, proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together, affecting how light passes through to the retina. Other common causes and risk factors include:

Cataracts develop when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, usually as a result of ageing. Over time, proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together, affecting how light passes through to the retina. Other common causes and risk factors include:
Age: Cataracts most commonly develop as people get older and are particularly common in those over 65, although they can begin to form much earlier in life.
Diabetes: Those with diabetes are at a risk of developing cataracts, often at a younger age.
Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of cataracts and can cause a faster development of the condition.
Sunlight (UV exposure): Long-term exposure to UV light from the sun can increase the risk of cataracts.
Medications: Long-term use of certain medications, often steroid treatments, may increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.
Eye injury or surgery: Previous eye injuries or eye surgery can in some cases lead to cataracts.
Genetics: Cataracts can run in families, this means some people may be more likely to develop them.
Lifestyle: Poor diet, high alcohol consumption, and lack of overall health can also contribute to an increased risk of cataracts.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts often develop gradually² and may not cause noticeable symptoms at first. As the condition progresses, your vision may become increasingly affected. Regular eye tests are important to help detect cataracts early.

Symptoms of cataracts can vary, but below are some of the most common signs. It is important that you make an appointment with your optician if you notice any of these symptoms:

Blurred or cloudy vision.
Difficulty seeing clearly at night or in low light.
Sensitivity to light or glare, such as from headlights.
Colours appearing faded or yellowed.
Seeing halos around lights.
Double vision in one eye.
Needing brighter light for reading or everyday tasks.

Diagnosis of Cataracts

The only way to diagnose cataracts ³ is through an eye test. Regular eye examinations are crucial, this is because changes in your vision can be monitored.

During the appointment, an optician or eye specialist will carry out a number of tests to assess your vision and examine the health of your eyes. This may include checking your visual acuity and using a slit lamp microscope to look closely at the lens of your eye.

If cataracts are detected, your optician will talk to you about how they are affecting your vision and whether you may need treatment. In the early stages, changes to your glasses or lighting may help manage symptoms.

Cataracts are often straightforward to identify, and further testing isn’t always necessary. However, in certain cases, you may be referred to a specialist eye doctor (ophthalmologist) for further assessment and to discuss treatment options.

Treatments of Cataracts

Current treatments:

Cataracts are a common and unlike other eye conditions, they can be treated effectively. Treatment is often recommended when cataracts begin to impact your daily activities, for example, reading or driving.

The main treatment for cataracts is surgery, which involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens.

Cataract treatment includes:

cataract surgery, a routine procedure usually carried out under local anaesthetic.
replacement with an artificial lens to restore vision.

In the early stages, symptoms may be managed with glasses, brighter lighting, or anti-glare lenses. However, surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Potential treatments:

Cataract surgery is already highly effective, but research continues to explore ways to improve outcomes and make treatment even more accessible.

At Sight Research UK, we are supporting research to better understand eye health and develop new approaches to treating vision conditions, including cataracts. Your eye specialist can let you know if there are any studies or clinical trials you may be eligible to take part in.

What Is The Latest Research Into Cataracts?

Latest research:

Researchers are constantly working to better understand how cataracts form and how their progression can be slowed or prevented.

Some recent studies have explored:

protein stabilisation therapies to prevent lens clouding at a molecular level.
eye drop treatments that may help reduce or delay early-stage cataracts without surgery.
genetic research to identify individuals at higher risk and support earlier intervention.

One promising area of research focuses on compounds that help restore transparency in the lens by repairing damaged proteins. Studies have shown that these treatments may improve lens clarity, raising the possibility of non-surgical options in the future ⁴. However, further clinical trials are needed before these treatments become widely available.