Cataract Care
Harley Street, London
Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions affecting millions of people worldwide, yet they remain one of the most successfully treatable causes of vision loss. Understanding cataracts, their development, and the remarkable treatments available helps patients make informed decisions about preserving and restoring their vision.
Miss Shreya Haldar’s expertise in cataract surgery encompasses the most advanced techniques and premium lens technologies, ensuring that each patient receives personalised care designed to achieve optimal visual outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
Understanding Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil. This lens normally focuses light rays on the retina, creating clear, sharp images. When a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurred, hazy, or less colourful.
The development of cataracts is often compared to looking through a fogged window or viewing the world through a piece of wax paper. As cataracts progress, they can significantly impact daily activities such as reading, driving, recognising faces, and enjoying hobbies.
Cataracts typically develop gradually over months or years, and many people initially adapt to the subtle changes in their vision. However, as the cataract progresses, these adaptations become insufficient, and vision quality deteriorates to the point where intervention becomes necessary.
Types and Causes of Cataracts
Age-Related Cataracts
Most cataracts are age-related, developing as part of the natural ageing process. The proteins in the lens gradually clump together, creating cloudy areas that grow larger and denser over time. Most people will develop some degree of cataract formation if they live long enough.
Age-related cataracts can be classified based on their location within the lens: nuclear cataracts affect the centre of the lens, cortical cataracts form in the lens cortex, and posterior subcapsular cataracts develop at the back of the lens.
Secondary Cataracts
Some cataracts develop as a result of other conditions or treatments. Diabetes significantly increases cataract risk, whilst long-term steroid use can accelerate cataract formation. Previous eye surgery, eye injuries, and certain medications can also lead to secondary cataract development.
Congenital Cataracts
Rarely, cataracts are present at birth or develop during childhood due to genetic factors, intrauterine infections, or metabolic disorders.
Recognising Cataract Symptoms
Cataract symptoms typically develop gradually, and patients often don’t realise how much their vision has changed until they compare it to normal sight after treatment.
Visual Symptoms
Blurred or cloudy vision is the most common symptom, initially affecting distance vision but eventually impacting near vision as well. Increased sensitivity to light and glare can make driving at night particularly challenging, with oncoming headlights creating starbursts or halos.
Colours may appear faded or yellowed, and contrast sensitivity decreases, making it difficult to distinguish between similar shades. Some patients notice improved near vision temporarily as the cataract causes the lens to swell, creating a myopic shift.
Functional Impact
As cataracts progress, daily activities become increasingly difficult. Reading may require brighter light, driving becomes uncomfortable or unsafe, particularly at night, and hobbies requiring fine detail work become frustrating.
Many patients find themselves needing frequent changes in their glasses prescription as the cataract alters the eye’s focusing power.
Cataract Progression: What to Expect
Cataracts typically unfold in four main stages, each bringing different visual challenges. In the early stage, changes are subtle, perhaps slightly blurred vision, increased glare from lights, or a need for brighter reading light. This stage may last years, and some individuals are unaware of any significant change until an optician or ophthalmologist detects it during a routine eye health check.
As the cataract grows, symptoms become more evident. In the immature stage, cloudy areas in the lens increase, making vision less sharp. Colours appear dull, driving at night becomes onerous, and halos or glare around lights are more common. At this point, changing glasses or using brighter lighting may help for a while, though these are only temporary measures.
With further progression, mature cataracts develop. The entire lens may look cloudy or milky, and vision declines substantially. Everyday tasks like reading, recognising faces, or even watching television become arduous. It is at this stage that most people seek advice from an ophthalmic surgeon, as surgical intervention is typically advisable to restore clear sight.
In a minority of cases, cataracts reach the advanced, also called hypermature, stage. Here, the lens can harden, shrink, or even become discoloured, occasionally leading to increased pressure inside the eye (secondary glaucoma). At this point, even light perception may be affected, and delaying treatment can make surgery riskier.
When Should Cataracts Be Treated?
There is no need to “wait until your cataract is ripe” as was once believed. The decision to operate is guided by your symptoms and how the cataract affects your daily living, not by arbitrary timelines. If you’re struggling with vision for driving, reading, hobbies, or social activities, it may be time to consider surgery. Modern techniques allow for safe intervention at any stage, and prompt treatment prevents unnecessary disruption to your independence or well-being.
What Does Modern Cataract Surgery Involve?
Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed and successful surgical procedures in the UK and worldwide. Miss Haldar employs micro-incision, no-stitch techniques (phacoemulsification), which use ultrasound to safely remove the cloudy lens through a tiny keyhole opening. Remarkably, this allows for rapid healing and minimal recovery time.
Once the cataract is removed, a new intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted. This artificial lens is selected according to your visual requirements, lifestyle, and the unique shape of your eye. Options range from standard monofocal lenses (most often providing clear distance vision with reading glasses required) to advanced premium lenses, such as multifocal, extended depth of focus (EDOF), or toric designs that can address astigmatism and offer sharper vision at all ranges. Miss Haldar is experienced in matching the right lens to each person – always with an emphasis on quality and comfort.
The Journey from Consultation to Sight Restoration
The first step is a thorough assessment. Miss Haldar will discuss your vision, general health, and expectations, then undertake detailed measurements of your eyes using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. If you wear contact lenses, you may be asked to leave them out for a few days before these measurements to maximise accuracy.
If surgery is appropriate, everything will be arranged conveniently for you. The actual procedure takes around twenty minutes and is performed under local anaesthesia, so you remain comfortable and awake but feel no pain. Most people return home the same day.
After your operation, you will use eyedrops for a few weeks. Vision typically improves within days and stabilises over several weeks. Regular follow-ups with Miss Haldar ensure that your recovery is smooth, and any concerns are addressed promptly.
Modern cataract surgery not only restores clarity, but many patients find their sight is better than it has been for years, with colours appearing brighter and images sharply defined. Glasses may still be needed for certain activities, but your dependency is often greatly reduced, depending on the type of lens chosen.
Risks and Reassurance
Cataract surgery enjoys an excellent safety profile, though no operation is entirely without risk. Complications are uncommon and, when they do occur, most are temporary and can be managed effectively. Risks include infection, bleeding, lens movement, swelling, or, rarely, retinal detachment. In a small number of cases, the lens capsule supporting the new implant can become cloudy after some months or years, causing vision to blur again, this “secondary cataract” is quickly treated with a simple, painless YAG laser capsulotomy procedure performed in clinic.
Miss Haldar’s meticulous approach and the Harley Street standard of care mean you are guided through each step, with all your questions answered and any risks carefully discussed.
Why Choose Miss Shreya Haldar for Cataract Care?
Miss Shreya Haldar is not only a consultant ophthalmic surgeon but also a dedicated advocate for her patients’ sight and well-being. Known for her expertise in cataract surgery, modern premium lenses, and comprehensive aftercare, Miss Haldar ensures every individual is treated as unique. Consultations are thorough, treatment plans clearly explained, and the highest surgical and safety standards consistently maintained.
Her Harley Street clinic in London is equipped with the latest technology in eye care and ophthalmic surgery, delivering a seamless and comfortable experience, whether you are seeking expert advice, routine monitoring, or sight-restoring cataract intervention.
Restore confidence in your vision – entrust your eye care to Miss Shreya Haldar, consultant ophthalmic surgeon, London Harley Street. Book a consultation today and take a vital step towards clearer, brighter sight and an improved quality of life.