top of page

Cataract

Cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.  If you have a cataract, it can be similar to looking through a dirty or dusty window.  Things look blurry, hazy, or less colorful with a cataract. 

Symptoms of Cataract:

 

  • blurry vision

  • seeing double (seeing two images instead of one)

  • light sensitivity

  • poor night vision

  • requiring additional light to read

  • seeing bright colors as faded or yellow instead

Normal eye with light

focused precisely on the retina

What causes Cataracts?

 

Aging is the most common cause of cataracts.  Over time, normal

proteins in the lens begin to break down.  Individuals over 60 usually

have some degree of clouding of their lenses.  However, vision

problems may not become apparent until years later.

 

Other reasons why you may develop cataracts include:

 

  • certain medical problems, such as diabetes

  • having had an eye injury or eye surgery

  • radiation treatments on your upper body

  • having spent a lot of time in the sun

 

How are Cataracts treated?

 

Cataracts can only be removed with surgery.  The cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens.  This new lens is called an intraocular lens (or IOL).  When you decide to have cataract surgery, your doctor will talk with you about IOLs and how they work.  Cataracts are a very common cause of reduced vision, but they are treatable.  A discussion of cataracts symptoms with your eye doctor can help determine if you are ready for surgery.

 

An eye with cataract

causing light to scatter

bottom of page