What are Cataracts?
Cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Cataracts are the most common cause of impaired vision and may have a number of causes. Aging is the most common cause of cataracts. Cataracts can also form after injury to the eye or develop due to medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, medications, obesity, smoking, or previous eye surgeries.
In the early stages of cataracts, patients may notice gradually increasing blurring of their vision and may simply need to change their eyeglass prescription. However, as cataracts progress, patients experience progressive but painless reduction in sight, which eventually interferes with everyday activities.
Individuals with cataracts commonly experience:
- Blurred vision
- Perception of haziness
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Starbursts or halos surrounding bright lights
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Increased glare (discomfort with streetlights or oncoming headlights)
- Difficulty reading
- Reduced perception of color – colors appear yellowed or washed-out