When to seek medical advice
You should see an optician if you have any of these symptoms:
- your eyesight is blurred or misty
- you find lights too bright or glaring
- you find it harder to see in low light
- colours look faded
If you wear glasses, you may feel your lenses are dirty and need cleaning, even when they do not.
Cataracts are not usually painful and do not make your eyes red or irritated, but they can be painful if they're in an advanced stage or if you've got another eye condition.
Driving and cataracts
If you have cataracts, it could affect your ability to drive.
You do not need to tell the DVLA if you have (or previously had) cataracts and you still meet the visual standards for driving.
If you drive a bus, coach or lorry, you do not need to tell the DVLA if you have (or previously had) cataracts and:
- you still meet the visual standards for driving
- you do not have an increased sensitivity to glare because of the cataract
For more information, read about cataracts and driving on the GOV.UK website.
