Dr Parth Shah performs cataract surgery in Sydney for patients of all ages – from newborns to the elderly.The term ‘cataract’ is well known as an eye disorder that causes reduced vision.

Like a camera lens, the natural lens focuses light to create a sharp and clear image on the retina (the ‘film’ or ‘sensor’ part of the camera).When the natural lens is not crystal clear, light cannot be focused perfectly, and the result is a disturbance to vision.

The waste products have a yellow hue, which means the lens naturally becomes more and more yellow over time.

Advancing age is the most common cause of cataract.Apart from advancing age, the loss of transparency of the lens can be caused by:Diabetes mellitus, especially type I (juvenile diabetes)Taking steroid medications of any sort (steroid eye drops, nasal sprays, or by mouth)Exposure to ultraviolet, X-ray, laser or infrared lightInjury or trauma to the eye, including eye surgery for other reasonsInflammatory eye diseaseHigh near-sightedness (myopia)SmokingAlthough rare, babies can be born with cataracts.

Some of the most common symptoms are:Blurred, clouded or dim vision – even with glasses or contact lensesAltered colour perception – for example, vivid colours may seem fadedDifficulty with driving vision, especially at nightLights (sunlight and headlights) seem too bright, cause glare, or are surrounded by haloesDifficulty in dim lighting, and need for brighter lightFrequent changes to glasses or contact lens prescriptionThe degraded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, watch TV and drive a car – especially at night time.

You get the impression of being dazzled by the light even if the vehicle is not on high beams!With cataract, adaptation to different light conditions and the light-dark transition can also create numerous difficulties in day-to-day life.These symptoms are usually very mild to start with, and gradually become more prominent when the cataract becomes cloudier with time.

What is myopia?Myopia is a condition in which the eye does not focus properly.

The prevalence of myopia in children varies between countries and ethnic backgrounds, being over 50% in some Asian countries and about 15% in Australia.

Unfortunately, the numbers are rising rapidly all around the world.The economic cost of myopia is huge, estimated at an annual US$250 billion worldwide.When is myopia diagnosed?Myopia typically starts in childhood and is usually diagnosed between 5 – 12 years of age.

Myopia affects a child’s ability to see both at home and at school, particularly the whiteboard or screen at the front of the classroom.Children may complain of blurred vision, difficulty focusing, needing to squint, and/or suffering headaches.What causes myopia?Myopia occurs when:the eyeball is longer than average (most common cause), orthe cornea of the eye (clear window at the front of the eye) is too steep.Sometimes myopia is associated with specific conditions that affect the eye and/or the body.

This suggests a protective effect of outdoor activity and exposure to natural light.Prolonged near work has been associated with myopia, but not consistently and not in all populations.

sustained reading at a closer distance (less than 30 cm) with fewer breaks may be more important than the total hours of near work.What are the problems with myopia?A high degree of myopia is associated with an increased risk of vision loss from complications associated with the abnormally-long eyeball.

Who are Paediatric Ophthalmologists?A Paediatric Ophthalmologist is a qualified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) specialising in children’s eye care.

Not all ophthalmologists are comfortable in dealing with children’s eye issues.Paediatric ophthalmologists can assess and treat most eye problems in children.

This can be for a child of any age.Motility Examination - to check the eye alignment and eye movements in order to diagnose and manage strabismus (squint).Bio microscopy and dilated fundus examination – to check the front and back of the eye to assess for problems such as cataract, retina or optic nerve disease and genetic abnormalities.An experienced paediatric ophthalmologist also performs surgical procedures to treat problems such as blocked tear ducts, paediatric cataract extraction, and eye muscle surgery for strabismus.

Signs and Symptoms That May Indicate An Eye Problem in A ChildItching or dryness causing frequent eye rubbing or blinkingTilting head to one sideHolding objects close to the eyesSquintingDifficulty readingFrequent headachesExtreme sensitivity to lightExcessive tearingNoticeable eye turn (strabismus)What are some common Paediatric Eye Problems that need a specialist assessment?Let’s help you understand some paediatric eye problems that may affect your child.Myopia - near-sightedness.

The child can see clearly at near, but experiences blurred vision while looking at distant objects, such as the whiteboard at school.Hyperopia – far-sightedness.

The child can see distant objects but has difficulty looking at things up close.Astigmatism – a focusing issue that can cause blurred vision at all distances.Amblyopia – “lazy eye”.