Cataract / Phaco

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that gradually blurs vision -- one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide, and one of the most successfully treated conditions in modern ophthalmology. It develops as proteins in the lens break down with age (most people notice changes from their mid-40s, with significant impairment more common after 60), though injury, long-term steroid use, diabetes, excessive UV exposure, or previous eye surgery can bring it on earlier. Common symptoms: blurred or hazy vision, glare sensitivity, faded colours, poor night vision, halos around lights, frequent prescription changes, and needing brighter light to read. Surgery is the only proven, effective treatment -- cataracts cannot be corrected with glasses or drops. The standard technique is Phacoemulsification (Phaco): a 2-3mm self-sealing incision, an ultrasound probe breaks up the cloudy lens, and a folded artificial lens (IOL) is inserted and unfolds into place. Laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is available as a premium option for greater precision, especially with astigmatism correction or premium lens implants. Lens choice matters: monofocal IOLs give sharp distance vision (reading glasses still needed up close); toric IOLs correct astigmatism at the same time; multifocal/trifocal IOLs aim to reduce or remove the need for glasses at all distances. Cataract surgery has a success rate over 98% in skilled hands; the most common after-effect, posterior capsule opacification ("secondary cataract", 20-30% of patients), is fixed with a quick, painless in-clinic YAG laser procedure. Vision is usually noticeably better within 24-48 hours, with full stabilisation over 4-6 weeks.