Published on 25 August 2026
Cataracts and glaucoma are two of the most common eye conditions which can affect you as you get older, and it’s not unusual to be diagnosed with both at the same time. But what’s the difference between these two conditions and, if you’re living with both, can they be treated at the same time?
Understanding cataracts and glaucoma
A cataract develops when proteins within the eye's natural lens begin to break down and clump together, causing the lens to become cloudy. Over time, this cloudiness can interfere with vision, making everyday activities such as reading, driving and using a computer more difficult.
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. This condition often progresses gradually and may not cause any noticeable symptoms until you start to lose your vision. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness.
Both conditions become more common as you get older and many people develop cataracts and glaucoma at the same time. In some cases, the presence of one condition can influence how the other is treated.
What are the symptoms of cataracts and glaucoma?
Although the conditions affect vision differently, there can be some overlap in the symptoms experienced.
Cataracts typically cause blurred or cloudy vision, increased sensitivity to bright lights, difficulty seeing at night, faded colours and frequent changes in glasses prescriptions. As the cataract progresses, vision may become increasingly hazy, making daily tasks more difficult.
Glaucoma symptoms vary depending on the type of glaucoma present. The most common form - open-angle glaucoma - develops gradually and often causes a slow loss of peripheral vision that may go unnoticed in its early stages. More advanced glaucoma can result in tunnel vision. Acute angle-closure glaucoma, a less common but serious form of the disease, can cause severe eye pain, headaches, nausea, blurred vision and a halo around lights.
Because cataracts and glaucoma can affect vision at the same time, it may be difficult to determine which condition is responsible for specific symptoms. This is why regular eye examinations are so important, particularly if you’re over 60 or you have a family history of eye disease.
Cataracts and glaucoma treatment: what are your options?
When considering treatment for cataracts and glaucoma, your ophthalmologist will evaluate the severity of both conditions before recommending a management plan.
In the early stages, cataracts may be monitored. Once your symptoms become significant, or begin to affect your everyday activities, your ophthalmologist may recommend cataract surgery. This procedure involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
Glaucoma treatment focuses on reducing eye pressure to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Depending on the type and severity of the condition, treatment may involve prescription eye drops, laser procedures or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
The best treatment plan will depend on your age, overall health, level of vision impairment and the extent of any glaucoma-related damage. In many cases, our specialists can develop a plan that addresses both conditions simultaneously.
Glaucoma and cataracts surgery: can they be performed together?
In many cases, the answer is yes. Combined surgery allows your ophthalmologist to remove the cataract while also carrying out a procedure designed to lower eye pressure. This approach may provide several benefits, including improved vision, better control of the glaucoma, fewer medications and a single recovery period.
There are several types of combined procedures available. Cataract surgery is frequently paired with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery for patients with mild to moderate primary open angle glaucoma.
Combined surgery can be particularly beneficial if your glaucoma hasn’t responded to medication alone. However, it will depend on your eye health and the severity of your glaucoma.
As with any surgery, there are potential risks and considerations. These may include infection, inflammation, bleeding, temporary fluctuations in eye pressure or the need for additional procedures in the future. Your ophthalmologist will help you to understand the benefits and risks.
Is it safe to have cataract surgery with glaucoma?
For most people, cataract surgery is considered safe and effective, even if you also have glaucoma.
In fact, modern cataract surgery may help lower intraocular pressure in some glaucoma patients, particularly when combined with a glaucoma procedure. Advances in surgical techniques and technology have improved results and reduced complication rates.
However, safety depends on several factors, including the type and stage of glaucoma, the level of eye pressure control and the overall condition of your eye. If you have advanced glaucoma, you may need additional monitoring before, during, and after surgery to minimise the risk of further optic nerve damage.
Following surgery, you should have regular a follow-up with our specialists who will monitor healing, assess your eye pressure and make any necessary adjustments to your medications. While cataract surgery can improve visual clarity, it can’t reverse vision loss that has already occurred due to glaucoma, so it’s important that your expectations are realistic.
Who is a good candidate for combined treatment?
If cataracts and glaucoma are affecting your quality of life, you need multiple glaucoma medications or your eye pressure is becoming more difficult to control, you may be a good candidate for combined treatment.
However, there are situations in which separate procedures may be better. If you have complex or advanced glaucoma, you might benefit from a staged treatment plan, allowing your ophthalmologist to address each condition individually and achieve the best possible outcome.
The decision depends on a detailed evaluation of your eye health and lifestyle needs.
Treatment for glaucoma and cataracts at Benenden Hospital
If you’re living with glaucoma, cataracts, or both conditions, we can help. Take the first step to clearer vision by booking an initial consultation with our expert in glaucoma treatment, Mr Anastasios Lavaris. Call our Private Patient team on 01580 363158 or request a callback by completing our online enquiry form.