Overview
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which sits behind the iris. Most cataracts develop slowly with age — by 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. The good news: cataract surgery is one of the safest, most successful procedures in modern medicine, restoring clear vision in over 95% of patients.
Symptoms
- •Gradual blurring or cloudiness of vision
- •Increased glare from headlights or sunlight
- •Halos around lights at night
- •Colors appearing faded or yellowed
- •Frequent prescription changes
- •Difficulty reading in dim light
- •Double vision in one eye
Causes & Risk Factors
- •Aging (the primary cause)
- •Diabetes
- •Long-term sun exposure without UV protection
- •Smoking
- •Long-term steroid use
- •Previous eye injury or surgery
- •Family history of early cataracts
How It's Diagnosed
Cataracts are evaluated at every routine eye exam. We assess the lens through slit-lamp examination, measure how cataracts are affecting vision under different lighting, and document progression year-over-year.
Treatment Options
- 1Updating glasses prescriptions to manage early cataracts
- 2Improved lighting for reading and detail work
- 3UV-protective sunglasses to slow progression
- 4Surgical referral when cataracts begin affecting daily life — driving, reading, working
- 5Post-operative co-management after cataract surgery
When to See an Eye Doctor
There's no urgency in early cataracts — many people live well with them for years. The right time for surgery is when cataracts begin to affect what you want to do (driving at night, reading, work). We'll help you make that decision.
Related Service
Cataracts is detected and monitored through our Cataract Evaluations service.
Learn About Cataracts