Cataracts

What it is

A cataract is clouding inside the eye’s natural lens. That lens normally helps focus light onto the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As lens proteins change and clump together, they scatter and block some of the light passing through. The image can become hazy and washed out, even when your glasses prescription is up to date. ¹ · ²

What you may notice first

• Headlights create more glare or halos, making night driving uncomfortable
• Colors seem duller, or objects are harder to distinguish from their background
• You need more light for reading, or vision feels cloudy
• Your prescription changes more often, or one eye sees a ghosted or double image

Early cataracts may cause no symptoms. Changes usually develop gradually. Glare and trouble with everyday tasks matter even if you can still read many letters on an eye chart. ¹

How it is diagnosed

Your eye doctor checks vision and examines the lens, usually as part of a dilated eye examination. The examination also looks for other causes of reduced vision. Before surgery, measurements of the eye help plan the replacement lens. ¹ · ³

Usual treatment options

Early on, updated glasses, better task lighting, or glare reduction may help. Surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens. Timing is usually based on how much cataracts interfere with activities such as reading and driving, alongside the health of your eye. ¹

When to seek urgent care

Cataracts generally develop slowly. Sudden vision loss, severe pain, or new flashes and floaters should not be assumed to be a cataract. Seek immediate eye care. ⁴ · ⁵

Questions to ask

• Are cataracts the main reason for my symptoms?
• Would a prescription change help, or is it time to discuss surgery?