What Are Cataracts?
What Are Cataracts?
A clear lens in the eye focuses light. This lets the eye see images sharply. Aging is the most common cause of cataracts. With age, the lens slowly becomes cloudy. The cloudy lens is a cataract. A cataract scatters light and makes it hard for the eye to focus. Cataracts often form in both eyes. But one lens may cloud faster than the other.
The aging of your lens
Your lens may cloud so slowly that you don`t notice any vision changes at first. But as the cataract gets worse, the eye has a harder time focusing. In early stages, glasses may help you see better. As the lens gets more cloudy, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to restore your vision.
A clear lens allows your eye to bring objects sharply into focus.
A mild cataract may slightly blur your vision.
A dense cataract can severely blur your vision.
Updated:
October 17, 2019
Reviewed By:
Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN,Haupert, Christopher L., MD