Cataract Assessment & Referral
If your vision has become cloudy, misty or affected by glare, we can assess your eyes, explain what is happening, and guide you on whether referral is appropriate.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a common age-related change where the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy. It can make vision seem misty, dull or glare-prone, and often develops slowly over time — so changes can be easy to dismiss at first.
What a cataract looks like
A clouded lens scatters the light entering your eye — making vision misty, dull and prone to glare.
What to look for
Cataracts often develop gradually. These are the changes people most commonly notice:
Cloudy or misty vision
Glare from headlights or sunlight
Difficulty driving at night
Colours appearing duller
Frequent prescription changes
Reading becoming more difficult
Clear advice, not confusion
That's our job. We assess properly, explain clearly, advise honestly, and guide you to the right next step.
We examine your vision and eye health carefully.
We help you understand what is happening and how it is affecting you.
We advise whether monitoring, updated glasses or referral is the best next step.
Your appointment
Discuss your symptoms and visual difficulties
Assess your vision and prescription
Examine your eye health and the level of cataract
Explain the findings clearly
Advise on monitoring, updated glasses or referral
We explain our findings clearly, so you understand whether your cataracts need monitoring or whether it may be time to consider referral.
When is cataract referral appropriate?
In many cases, cataracts can be monitored until they begin to affect everyday life. If referral becomes appropriate, we guide you through the process — and help you understand the difference between NHS and private cataract pathways, so your decision feels properly informed.
Often simply monitored over time, with no immediate action needed.
Referral may be considered when it impacts driving, reading or work.
We explain NHS and private cataract pathways so you can decide.
Across Greater Manchester & Lancashire
We offer cataract assessment and referral advice from all six STOTTS. practices.
Why choose STOTTS.
We take time to understand how your vision is changing.
We help you understand what is happening and why.
We recommend the right next step, not the easiest one.
Support across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Cataract FAQs
Common cataract symptoms include cloudy or misty vision, glare from lights, difficulty driving at night, faded colours, halos around lights and needing frequent changes to your glasses prescription.
No. Cataracts do not always need surgery straight away. They may simply be monitored until they begin to affect your everyday life.
Sometimes updated glasses can improve your vision in the early stages. If the cataract becomes more advanced, glasses may no longer provide enough improvement.
An optometrist can assess your vision and eye health, confirm whether cataracts are affecting your sight, and advise whether referral for cataract surgery may be appropriate.
Yes. If your cataracts are affecting your vision and referral is appropriate, we can guide you through the next steps.
We offer cataract assessments through our practices in Swinton, Urmston, Unsworth, Chorley, Burnley and Padiham, serving Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
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If your vision has become misty, dull or affected by glare, we can help you understand what is happening and whether referral is the right next step.
