Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil. In a healthy eye, the lens is clear and helps focus light onto the retina for sharp vision. When a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy, causing vision to become blurry, hazy, or dull—like looking through a frosted window.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts:
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Blurred or cloudy vision
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Increased glare, especially from headlights at night
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Halos around lights
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Faded or yellowed colors
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Difficulty reading or seeing details clearly
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Frequent prescription changes for glasses or contacts
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Trouble seeing well in dim lighting
Cataracts usually develop gradually over time, so symptoms may be subtle at first and worsen slowly.
How Cataracts Are Treated:
There is no medication, eye drop, or lifestyle change that can reverse cataracts. The only effective treatment is cataract surgery, which is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgeries worldwide.
During the procedure:
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The cloudy natural lens is gently removed.
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It is replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) tailored to your vision needs.
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Many patients choose advanced IOLs to reduce the need for glasses after surgery (for distance, near, or both).
Most people experience significant improvement in vision within days after surgery, with minimal downtime.
Prevalence of Cataracts:
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More than 24 million Americans over age 40 have cataracts.
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By age 75, about half of all Americans will have developed cataracts.
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Cataracts are a normal part of aging, but they can also occur earlier due to genetics, diabetes, UV exposure, smoking, or eye injury.
🧠 Key Message:
Cataracts are extremely common—and very treatable. If you're noticing changes in your vision, especially with glare or clarity, a comprehensive eye exam can determine if cataracts are the cause and whether it's time to consider surgery.
