If you’ve noticed your vision becoming cloudy, colours looking faded, or driving at night feeling more difficult — you could be experiencing the early signs of cataracts. While cataracts are a natural part of ageing, many people in Cheltenham and across South Wales delay diagnosis, thinking it’s just time for new glasses.

But recognising the first signs of cataracts early can make all the difference — and with today’s advanced surgical techniques, restoring crystal-clear vision is more achievable than ever.

Whether you’re based in Cheltenham, Newport, Cardiff, or nearby areas, this article will help you understand what to look out for — and what to do next.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, usually due to age-related changes in the structure of the lens proteins. Over time, this cloudiness blocks light from entering the eye clearly, leading to blurred or distorted vision.

Cataracts usually develop slowly and painlessly — but without treatment, they can gradually reduce your quality of life.

Early Signs of Cataracts

Here are the most common early warning signs to watch for:

Cloudy or blurry vision
Like looking through a frosted window.
Glare or halos around lights
Especially noticeable while driving at night.
Faded or yellowed colours
Things may look dull, washed out, or off-colour.
Double vision in one eye
A rare but early sign in some patients.
Frequent prescription changes
If your glasses no longer help as much as they used to.
Difficulty seeing in low light
Reading or moving around in dim environments becomes harder.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Many people in Cheltenham and South Wales live busy lives — often pushing eye health to the bottom of the to-do list. But cataracts are one of the most treatable causes of vision loss, and early diagnosis gives you more time to consider your options.

Modern cataract surgery is quick, painless, and has an incredibly high success rate. At Fadi Kherdaji’s clinic, we use state-of-the-art lens technology to restore not only clarity — but also correct other vision issues like astigmatism or presbyopia in the same procedure.

Cataract Diagnosis in Cheltenham & South Wales

We welcome patients from:

Cheltenham
Newport
Cardiff
Gloucester
Cwmbran
Monmouthshire
And surrounding areas

Whether you’ve already been told you have cataracts, or you’re just starting to notice changes in your sight, a simple, painless eye test can reveal the cause — and help us map out the best way forward.

What Can Fix Cataracts?

The only way to permanently treat cataracts is through a quick and highly effective procedure called cataract surgery. It’s one of the most common and successful surgeries performed worldwide — and in expert hands, it can completely restore vision clarity.

How It Works:

During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens of the eye is gently removed and replaced with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This restores sharp, vibrant vision — and in many cases, can also correct other issues like astigmatism or presbyopia at the same time.

Modern cataract surgery is:

Painless (thanks to local anaesthetic)
Quick (typically under 20 minutes per eye)
Precise (with modern techniques and custom lens options)
Life-changing (most patients notice a dramatic improvement within days)

Advanced Lens Options

At our clinic, we don’t just remove cataracts — we take the opportunity to customise your vision. Depending on your lifestyle and visual needs, you can choose from: