Cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens and the leading cause of treatable vision loss worldwide. Modern surgery makes cataracts one of the most successfully managed conditions in medicine.
The lens sits behind the iris and focuses light onto the retina. Over decades, proteins in the lens clump together, scatter light, and reduce clarity. The lens may also yellow, distorting color perception.
Patients notice gradual blurring, halos around lights, glare from oncoming headlights, and reduced color vividness. Reading may require brighter light, and prescription changes occur more frequently.
Nuclear cataracts form in the center of the lens and typically progress slowly. Cortical cataracts develop in the outer layers as spoke-like opacities. Posterior subcapsular cataracts form at the back of the lens and can affect vision rapidly even when small.
Age is the strongest factor, with most people over 75 having some degree of cataract. Diabetes, prolonged sun exposure, smoking, corticosteroid use, and prior eye trauma or surgery all increase risk.
The cloudy lens is removed through a small incision and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens. The procedure typically takes fifteen to thirty minutes, is done under local anesthesia, and offers fast visual recovery for most patients.
Standard lenses correct vision at one distance. Multifocal, extended depth of focus, and toric lenses address presbyopia or astigmatism. The right choice depends on lifestyle, eye anatomy, and budget. For thorough patient information, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is a trusted resource.
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