If you’ve noticed your vision isn’t quite what it used to be, blurring at the edges, road signs a little harder to read at night, colours looking flatter than you remember, you’re not alone. Plenty of Australians notice these changes gradually and aren’t sure whether to act on them or just accept them as a normal part of getting older.
There isn’t always a single, obvious moment where the answer becomes clear. But there are genuine signs that your cataracts have reached the point where a specialist assessment is worthwhile. Cataract surgery remains the only effective treatment for cataracts, and it’s one of the most commonly performed elective procedures in Australia for good reason: most patients notice a real improvement in their day-to-day vision afterwards. This guide walks through what to look out for, so you can decide with confidence whether it’s time to book that first consultation.
What causes cataracts, and who gets them?
Your eye’s natural lens is made up mostly of water and protein. Over time, some of that protein can start to clump together, and this is what causes the lens to cloud, a cataract. It’s largely an age-related process that begins quietly in your 40s and 50s, though most people don’t notice meaningful symptoms until their 60s or 70s.
Age isn’t the whole story, though. A few other factors can speed things along:
- Prolonged UV exposure. This one matters a lot if you live in Queensland. A 2022 Australian study found a significant link between time spent outdoors and rates of cataract surgery in Australians aged 45 to 65. Given Brisbane’s UV index, this is a genuine local risk factor, not just a general health tip.
- Diabetes and other metabolic conditions.
- Long-term corticosteroid medication use.
- A previous eye injury or eye surgery.
- Smoking.
- A family history of cataracts.
It’s worth knowing that cataracts aren’t exclusively an “older person’s problem.” They can develop in younger adults, and in rare cases, even in children. There’s no fixed age at which cataracts should be treated. The right time comes down to how much your vision is genuinely affecting your daily life, not a number on a calendar.
Signs that your cataracts may need assessment
Here’s the practical checklist. If a few of these sound familiar, it’s a reasonable prompt to book an eye check.
- Blurred or hazy vision that a new prescription for glasses doesn’t fix. If updating your lenses hasn’t sharpened things up the way it used to, that’s a signal worth following up.
- Trouble seeing clearly at night, especially glare from oncoming headlights while driving. This is one of the most common early complaints we hear.
- Halos or starbursts appear around lights. Streetlights or car headlights can start to look surrounded by a fuzzy ring or burst of light.
- Colours seem faded, yellowed, or just less vibrant than they used to. Cataracts gradually filter light differently, which mutes colour perception without you necessarily noticing it happening.
- Frequently changing glasses or contact lens prescriptions. If your optometrist keeps adjusting your script and it still doesn’t feel right, the lens itself may be the issue.
- Struggling to read or do close-up work, even with glasses on.
- Double vision in one eye.
- New sensitivity to bright light.
Early-stage cataracts can often be managed for a while with an updated prescription or brighter lighting at home. Once those adjustments stop making a real difference, surgery becomes the only proven way forward. Some people with mild symptoms choose to hold off for now, and that’s a perfectly reasonable choice too. The real question isn’t how advanced your cataract looks on a scan; it’s whether your vision is genuinely getting in the way of your life.
Can you drive with cataracts?
This comes up constantly, and it deserves a direct answer. Australian road safety standards require a minimum visual acuity of 6/12 in your better eye to hold a driver’s licence. If cataracts have brought your vision below that threshold, you’re not legally permitted to drive.
There’s also a practical side to this, beyond what the law requires. Glare and haloing around lights at night are common with cataracts, and they can make driving genuinely unsafe even when your daytime vision still meets the legal standard. In fact, trouble with night driving is often the first thing that pushes people to book an eye check.
If you have any doubts about whether your vision is safe for driving, don’t wait it out. See your optometrist or GP for a proper vision assessment and, if needed, a referral for further review.
Is there an age limit for cataract surgery?
No. There’s no upper or lower age limit for cataract surgery in Australia. The decision comes down to clinical need and the effect on your quality of life, not how old you are. Surgeons routinely perform successful cataract surgery on patients in their 80s and 90s.
At the other end of the spectrum, younger adults can develop cataracts too, often linked to trauma, diabetes, long-term steroid use, or genetic factors. If cataracts are meaningfully affecting someone’s vision, surgery is appropriate at any age. If you’re wondering what the procedure and recovery actually involve, our guide on recovery from cataract surgery covers what to expect step by step.
What happens if cataracts are left untreated?
Left alone, cataracts don’t stay the same. They progress, and vision continues to worsen over time. This can gradually:
- Make driving, reading and recognising faces increasingly difficult.
- Increase the risk of falls in older adults, since cloudy vision affects depth perception.
- In advanced cases, cause inflammation or raised pressure inside the eye, which increases the risk of secondary glaucoma.
- Make it harder for your specialist to monitor and treat other eye conditions, such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, since a cloudy lens obscures the view of the retina.
It’s worth being clear on one point: modern cataract surgery is safe and highly effective, and putting it off doesn’t make the eventual surgery any easier. In some cases, waiting until a cataract becomes very advanced can actually make the procedure more complex. We’ve written in more depth about this in what are the risks of declining cataract surgery, which is worth a read if you’re currently sitting on the fence.
Getting a referral: your first step
In Australia, you can’t book cataract surgery on your own; the process begins with a referral. If you suspect cataracts are affecting your sight, here’s how it usually unfolds:
1. See your GP or optometrist for an eye assessment.
2. Ask for a referral to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) if cataracts are identified.
3. Bring your referral and current glasses prescription to your specialist consultation.
We take referrals from GPs and optometrists right across Brisbane and Queensland. If you refer patients, you’ll find our dedicated pathway on the for optometrists and GPs page, and patients can book a consultation as soon as their referral is in hand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need cataract surgery?
You may need cataract surgery if your vision is blurred or hazy in a way that new glasses can’t correct, if glare makes night driving difficult, or if cataracts are interfering with everyday activities like reading, recognising faces or watching television. The most reliable way to know is to see your optometrist or GP for an eye assessment, and if cataracts are found, get a referral to an ophthalmologist.
Is it too early to have cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is generally recommended once cataracts are significantly affecting your vision and quality of life, not at a fixed age or stage. If your symptoms are mild and manageable with glasses or brighter lighting, your specialist may recommend monitoring rather than immediate surgery. Having surgery earlier isn’t inherently better or worse; it depends on your visual needs, lifestyle and overall eye health.
What happens if cataracts are left untreated?
If left untreated, cataracts progressively worsen and can significantly impair vision, making activities like driving, reading and recognising faces increasingly difficult. Very advanced cataracts can also cause complications, including inflammation and raised eye pressure. Assessing and monitoring cataracts early puts you in a better position to plan surgery at the right time for you.
Is there an age limit for cataract surgery?
There is no age limit for cataract surgery. The procedure is performed successfully and safely on patients in their 80s and 90s on a regular basis. Younger adults can also develop cataracts due to factors like diabetes, eye injury or corticosteroid use, and surgery is appropriate at any age when cataracts are causing meaningful visual impairment.
Can cataracts affect your ability to drive?
Yes. Cataracts can cause blurred vision, glare and halos around lights, which can make driving unsafe, particularly at night. Australian road safety standards require a minimum visual acuity of 6/12 in your better eye, and vision below this level means you’re not legally able to drive. An ophthalmologist can assess whether your vision meets the required standard.
Choosing OKKO Eye Specialist Centre for cataract surgery in Brisbane
At OKKO Eye Specialist Centre, we care for patients from across Brisbane and Queensland at our Auchenflower and Upper Mt Gravatt rooms. Our consulting specialists have years of experience diagnosing, monitoring, and surgically treating cataracts, and we keep the focus on you. Every consultation covers a thorough eye assessment, a plain-language discussion of your options, and a treatment plan built around your vision goals and lifestyle.
Dr Matthew Russell (MBChB, FRANZCO) is a specialist ophthalmologist who has spent more than 20 years in the field, with subspecialty training in cataract and refractive surgery. His care is grounded in evidence, and he shapes each treatment plan around the patient’s own needs and lifestyle.
Dr Eve Hsing is a comprehensive ophthalmologist with a special interest in medical retinal conditions and cataract surgery, providing thorough assessments and expert surgical care.
Dr Delia Wang is an ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in oculoplastics and medical retina, offering comprehensive ophthalmic care for cataract patients with complex eye health needs.
We welcome GP and optometrist referrals from right across Brisbane and Queensland. To arrange a consultation, call 07 3725 0222 or visit okko.com.au/contact. If you’re a referring practitioner, our dedicated pathway lives at okko.com.au/for-optometrists-gps.
Further reading
- Understanding cataracts: causes and symptoms
- What are the risks of declining cataract surgery?
- Recovery from cataract surgery: what to expect
- Cataract surgery at OKKO Eye Specialist Centre
Medical references
- Healthdirect Australia, Cataracts
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), Patient information sheets
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Eye health in Australia
- Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland, Medical conditions and driving
- Cleveland Clinic, Cataracts
- Macular Disease Foundation Australia, Eye health information
Disclaimer
All information is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Only an eye examination by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist can determine whether cataract surgery is appropriate for you. Please consult your GP or ophthalmologist for personalised advice.
