Cataracts are the most common age-related occurrence in eyes. The lens becomes thicker and stiffer and appears yellow and cloudy. Eventually it may turn white, changing the colour of the pupil. A cataract may cause your vision to become fuzzy in a progressive fashion and may also be the cause of disabling glare.

Once a cataract affects vision too much, a cataract removal operation is generally advised. This decision is usually made in consultation with an eye specialist. The operation is almost always done under local anaesthetic. A tiny incision is made in your eye and the cataract is broken up into small pieces using ultrasound vibrations. Once all the pieces have been removed, an artificial lens is implanted into your eye. It is relatively short in duration and an overnight stay in hospital is not required. Post-operative care consists of eye drops and a check at 1-2 days then after 2-4 weeks.

Treatment is aimed at improving drainage of the excess fluid in the eye.

Laser Surgery: there are several different glaucoma laser techniques, but all involve aiming a laser beam into the eye which you will see as a bright light, similar to a camera flash.

Trabeculectomy: this is a surgical procedure in which a tiny hole is made in the sclera (white of the eye) that provides an alternative fluid drainage pathway.

This procedure typically involves making a small cut (incision) in the fold of the upper eyelid and shortening or reattaching the stretched or weakened eyelid lifting muscle.

An incision (cut) is made in the lining of the eye (the clear film that covers the eyeball). The squint is corrected by repositioning the weak muscle or muscles from their original position to a new position on the eyeball.