A cataract is opacity in the lens of the eye that impairs vision. It is a very common condition and accounts for about 40% of blindness worldwide. Symptoms of cataract are :-
- progressive blurring of vision
- worse vision in bright light
- difficulty with near/reading vision
- de-saturation of colour vision
- glare
Cataracts cause progressive visual deterioration but the rate of change is very variable. Cataracts caused by trauma to the eye can occur within hours but age related cataracts (by far the majority) may take years to progress. Early surgery for apparent, relatively mild, visual defects more often than not provides a dramatic improvement in visual performance well beyond the patient’s expectations.
Although a crude kind of cataract surgery has been performed since ancient times it is only in the past 20 years or so that extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) has become standard treatment. This involves cutting into the front of the lens capsule and removing the contents (the cataract) and then inserting a flexible artificial lens into the remaining capsular ‘bag’ which provides support to the new lens. Before this technique was developed the whole of the affected lens was removed and replaced by the artificial lens, but results were less successful.
There are many risk factors in the development of cataracts including :-
- increasing age
- diabetes
- glaucoma
- cardiovascular disease
- smoking
- excessive alcohol intake
- gastrointestinal problems
- diuretics and other drugs
- trauma
Occasionally 'congenital cataracts' are present at birth or develop soon afterwards. Approximately 0.03% of newborns have some form of congenital cataract. Around a fifth of these have a family history of congenital cataracts but in many cases there is no such history. Most are not associated with additional developmental problems. In the newborn infant a cataract causes the immature visual system to be deprived of the stimulation needed for normal development. If left untreated permanent visual loss can occur.
The success of modern cataract surgery has been dramatic with success rates of 98% but complications do sometimes arise due mainly to faulty surgical technique or infection.
A large number of cases that JMW Medical Negligence Solicitors is asked to investigate are about surgery that has gone wrong and our clinical negligence solicitors have become very experienced in this field. If you have been harmed as a result of incompetence or lack of care or poor judgment you may be able to claim compensation.
For an assessment of your potential claim, please click here to complete our online enquiry form and one of our specialists will contact you shortly or please contact us on 0845 402 0001.
