Cataracts - Treatments
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If you have a cataract, the lens in your eye is cloudy. You may have trouble seeing clearly. This can get in the way of doing things you enjoy. And you may worry that your eyesight will get worse. But treatment can help you see better and get on with your life.
New glasses, brighter lighting, special sunglasses or magnifying lenses might help you early on. But these won't stop your cataract getting worse. An operation is the only way to get rid of it.
Key points about treating cataracts
- Not everyone with cataracts needs an operation, but surgery is the only way to get rid of them.
- Nine in 10 people see better after their cataract operation. But your sight might not be perfect. If you wore glasses before surgery, you may still need them afterwards.
- An operation to take out your cloudy lens in small pieces (called phacoemulsification) works better than an operation to take it out in one piece (called manual extracapsular extraction).
- In the UK, most people have their cataracts taken out by phacoemulsification.
- The operation won't hurt. But there's a small chance that you will have problems during or after surgery.
Treatments for cataracts
There are different operations for removing cataracts. You can find out more by clicking on the links below.
For help in deciding which treatment is best for you, see .
Treatments that work
- An operation called phacoemulsification: This kind of cataract operation takes your cloudy lens out in little bits through a small cut. A soft plastic lens is put in its place. This is the best kind of cataract operation. More...
- An operation called manual extracapsular extraction: This kind of cataract operation takes your cloudy lens out in one piece through a larger cut. A hard plastic lens is put in its place. This operation isn't as good as phacoemulsification. It's not used very much in the UK. More...
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This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
