This site provides general eye-health education. It cannot replace individual assessment by a registered doctor, and does not offer personal diagnosis, prescriptions, bookings, sales or referrals.
If translations differ or are incomplete, the Traditional Chinese (zh-Hant) text on this site prevails.
Lens and refraction · 03
Cataract
Gradual blur and glare · discuss surgery with an ophthalmologist when daily life is affected
Last reviewed: 2026-10-03 · 潘家健醫生
Key points
Cataract is clouding of the lens — not a peelable surface film; drops do not dissolve cataract.
Slow blur, glare and faded colour are common; discuss surgery with an ophthalmologist when daily life or driving is affected.
“Wait until it is ripe” is not the usual rule in the phaco era — timing follows function, not waiting for a “fully ripe” lens.
Sudden pain, nausea and a steamy cornea: consider acute angle closure — go to A&E now.
What it is
Lens proteins break down and cloud with age, steroids, trauma or diabetes. It is not a film on the surface that can be peeled off with drops.
Symptoms / when it is urgent
Slow blur, glare from oncoming lights, faded colour
Sudden pain, nausea and a steamy cornea: consider acute angle closure — go to A&E
What a doctor may discuss
Surgery when daily life or driving is affected — not waiting until the cataract is “ripe”
Phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens; type of lens is individual
Literature complication rates, not a clinic success rate
This is general medical information, not a diagnosis, and cannot replace an in-person consultation with a registered ophthalmologist, refraction, or a dilated fundus exam. It is not advice to use any medicine or undergo any procedure. Medicines (including off-label use), laser or surgery must be decided by a registered doctor after examination, according to indications and Hong Kong registration. Figures from the literature are published averages, not any clinic’s results. This site does not book, prescribe or refer. Do not change treatment on your own.
