Cataract Awareness Month: vision expert call for greater awareness for condition impacting people in Belfast

Anne Hathaway’s recent revelation that she was ‘legally blind’ in her left eye for a decade has prompted increased awareness of cataracts, with eye health experts urging people in Belfast to take the condition seriously and seek treatment early.

The Oscar-winning actress revealed that an early-onset cataract severely impaired her vision throughout her 30s, going undiagnosed for years before undergoing corrective surgery aged 40.

Experts warn that Anne Hathaway’s experience is far from unique. Cataracts are the leading cause of treatable vision loss in the UK and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 95 million people globally are living with vision impairment caused by cataracts.

As June marks Cataract Awareness Month, Dr Stephen Hannan, Group Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, is calling on people of all ages to prioritise their eye health and act on symptoms before they worsen.

Dr Hannan said: “Cataracts develop when the cells of the eye’s natural lens begin to change, causing cloudy patches to form. As these patches grow, they cloud more and more of the lens, gradually making vision increasingly blurred and misty. People experiencing this may also notice sensitivity to light, difficulty seeing at night, faded colours, and a brown or yellow tinge to their sight.

“What many people don’t realise is that cataracts don’t only affect older people. They can develop at any age due to factors such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, steroid medication and excessive exposure to ultraviolet light.

“When left untreated, cataracts can have a profound impact not only on vision, but also on independence, confidence and overall quality of life. Patients may find everyday activities such as driving, reading, working, recognising faces and enjoying hobbies increasingly difficult. They are also at greater risk of trips and falls.

“There is a common misconception that cataract surgery should not take place until the cataract is ripe. Rather, the opposite is true.  Early intervention is better as it firstly reduces the associated risk and further leads to an improved impact on quality of life, mental health improvement and reduced risk of trips and falls. Further, cataract has also been shown in clinical publication to have a impact or link with Dementia.”

“For these reasons we encourage anyone experiencing symptoms not to wait. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed in modern healthcare and can have a truly life-changing impact. Many patients tell us they wish they had undergone treatment sooner.

“At Optical Express, we see first-hand how transformative cataract surgery can be. More than 96% of our cataract surgery patients report an improvement in their quality of life following treatment. Achieving those outcomes is not simply about removing the cataract; it is about understanding the patient’s lifestyle, visual priorities and expectations, then matching them with the most appropriate intraocular lens technology.

“Today’s intraocular lenses are remarkable. While traditional monofocal lenses provide excellent distance vision, modern presbyopia-correcting lenses can deliver a full range of vision, helping suitable patients achieve greater freedom from glasses for distance, intermediate and near tasks. Toric lenses can also correct astigmatism, further enhancing visual outcomes.

“Much like Anne Hathaway, who did not realise how much her vision had deteriorated until she could see clearly again, we see this pattern time and time again. People adapt gradually to worsening vision and often underestimate the impact cataracts are having on their lives. An eye examination is the first step towards diagnosis and treatment.”

Optical Express is the leading provider of private vision correction surgery in the UK and Ireland, including private cataract surgery, laser eye surgery and lens replacement surgery. The company performs more than 60% of all private-pay vision correction procedures undertaken across the UK and Ireland each week—more than all other providers combined.

As the leading provider of private cataract surgery, Optical Express offers rapid access to treatment, with patients typically able to undergo surgery within a matter of weeks rather than months.

Alongside its private cataract services, Optical Express’ sister company, ACES, delivers NHS cataract surgery across the UK. ACES provides patients with access to high-quality cataract surgery using advanced monofocal intraocular lens technology within dedicated ophthalmic facilities, helping reduce waiting times and improve access to care.

Dr Hannan added: “Whether through Optical Express or our sister company ACES, our focus remains the same: delivering outstanding clinical outcomes, exceptional patient experiences and life-changing improvements in vision. Nobody should have to live with avoidable sight loss when safe, effective treatment is available.”

For further information and advice on cataract surgery, visit: https://www.opticalexpress.co.uk/