What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding or opacification of the crystalline lens in the eye. As light passes through the cloudy lens, it is diffused or scattered and the result is blurred or defocused vision.

The human lens, made mostly of protein and water, can become clouded—so clouded it keeps light and images from reaching the retina. In over 90% of cataract cases, the aging process causes clouding, but eye injury, certain diseases, or even some medications can cause the clouding too. In the early stages, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help you deal with the vision problems of cataract. But at some point, if impaired vision jeopardizes your normal lifestyle, you might need surgery. Fortunately, cataract removal is one of the safest, most effective and most common surgical procedures.

A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred, or seeing things at night is more difficult. It may also be why the eyeglasses or contact lenses that used to help you read, or do other simple tasks, no longer seem to help.