Cloudy Vision? It May Be Cataracts

Is your vision cloudy? Do you have your eyewear prescription changed often? If so, you may have cataracts, a common eye condition among older adults.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts form when protein clumps together and clouds the lens in the eye. People may first notice symptoms in their 60s. More than half of Americans 80 or older have a cataract or have had one removed, says the National Eye Institute. 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of cataracts can include:

• Blurry or clouded vision

• Sensitivity to light

• Trouble reading

• Trouble seeing, especially while driving at night

• Seeing halos around lights

How are cataracts treated?

When a cataract is in its early stages, a stronger eyewear prescription may help improve your vision. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens through a small incision. The lens is then replaced by a thin piece of clear plastic called an intraocular lens. In most cases, an intraocular lens will greatly improve a person’s vision.