Cataracts
What a Cataract Is
A cataract is a cloudy spot inside the natural lens of the eye. The lens sits behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. A clear lens bends light onto the retina at the back of the eye. A cataract scatters light. That makes vision look hazy or yellow over time. Most cataracts grow slowly across many years.
The lens is made of proteins. Over the years, those proteins slowly break down and clump together. The clumps scatter light and lower contrast. The change starts small and grows. By age 75, more than half of adults have cataracts that affect daily life in some way.
Cataracts can form in different parts of the lens.
- Nuclear cataracts grow in the central core of the lens
- Cortical cataracts grow in the outer edges of the lens
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts grow at the back of the lens
- Congenital cataracts are present at birth or form in childhood
Cataracts are very common in older adults. Cataract surgery is one of the most performed procedures in medicine. Outcomes are usually strong, with most patients seeing clearer within a day or two of surgery.
Causes and Risk Factors
Aging is the most common cause of cataracts. Other factors can speed the change.
Cataracts are part of normal aging for most people. The lens cells gradually change over the years. Some people see lens haze in their 40s. Most people see noticeable change by their 60s or 70s.
Some health conditions raise the risk of cataracts. Diabetes can cause cataracts at a younger age. High blood pressure may also play a role. Long-term eye conditions like uveitis can lead to cataracts.
Long-term use of steroid pills, drops, or inhalers can cause a specific type of cataract. People who need long-term steroids should plan on regular eye exams.
Several lifestyle factors are linked to earlier cataracts.
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
- Long sun exposure without UV-blocking sunglasses
- Poor diet
- Not enough sleep over many years
A blow to the eye can cause a cataract right away or years later. Sports injuries, work accidents, and falls are common causes. Wearing eye protection during high-risk activity lowers this risk.
Symptoms
Cataract symptoms can show up in different ways. Some patients notice glare first. Others notice a slow drop in contrast.
Cloudy vision is the most common symptom. Some patients say it feels like looking through a foggy window. Glasses do not fully fix the haze. Reading menus and street signs feels harder than before.
Glare from headlights at night is one of the most common cataract complaints. Streetlights bloom and flicker. Stop signs lose their edge. Many patients begin to avoid driving at night.
The lens often takes on a yellow or brown tint as a cataract grows. Colors look faded. Whites look beige. Many patients do not notice the color shift until it is corrected after surgery.
Cataracts can shift the focus of the eye. Patients may need new glasses more often than before. New glasses help for a while, then no longer fix the blur. That can be a sign that surgery is the next step.
Reading in dim light feels harder. Restaurants, theaters, and evening rooms become hard to navigate. Patients often raise the brightness on phones and tablets to try to compensate.
Diagnosis
Eye exams find cataracts long before they cause major vision loss.
The eye doctor uses a slit lamp to look at the lens. Dilating drops widen the pupil so the lens and retina can be seen clearly. The team also checks vision sharpness, eye pressure, and the back of the eye. The full exam is painless and takes about an hour.
Once a cataract is found, the team will follow it at each yearly visit. Some cataracts stay stable for years. Others grow steadily. The pace of change helps guide when surgery may make sense.
The same exam can find other eye conditions that get more common with age. These include glaucoma, macular changes, and dry eye. Treating these alongside the cataract gives the best long-term vision.
Treatment
The only effective treatment for a cataract that affects daily life is surgery. The procedure removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear man-made lens.
Many early cataracts do not need treatment right away. Updated glasses, brighter lighting, and anti-glare coatings can stretch the time before surgery. Yearly exams help track the cataract.
Cataract surgery is a brief outpatient procedure. The actual surgical time runs about 15 to 30 minutes per eye. Most patients head home the same day. Vision keeps improving over several weeks.
Several lens designs are available. The right pick depends on your eye and your daily life.
- Standard monofocal for clear distance vision
- Toric for astigmatism correction
- Multifocal for less reliance on readers
- Extended depth of focus for a smoother vision range
Most patients return to light tasks within a day or two. Most return to normal life within a week. Vision settles by 4 to 6 weeks. Full healing happens by about 3 months.
Risks and Possible Complications
Most cataract surgeries go well. Knowing the risks helps you spot any issue early.
Mild scratchiness, watery eyes, light sensitivity, and halos at night are common in the first few days. These effects fade as the eye heals.
Serious complications are uncommon but worth knowing.
- Severe eye pain not eased by basic pain medicine
- Sudden vision loss or a curtain in your vision
- New flashes of light or a shower of floaters
- Thick discharge from the eye
- Eye pain with nausea
The most common long-term issue is PCO. PCO is a haze on the capsule behind the lens. It is fixed with a quick laser visit called YAG. The visit takes only a few minutes in the office.
Prevention and Lifestyle
Cataracts cannot be fully prevented. Healthy habits can delay the change.
Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays. A wide-brimmed hat adds protection. UV exposure over the years contributes to cataract change.
A diet rich in leafy greens, colorful fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids supports eye health. Whole foods are better than supplements for most people. Speak with your doctor before starting a new supplement plan.
Skip smoking and limit alcohol. Manage diabetes if you have it. Keep blood pressure under control. Get regular exercise. These habits also support general eye health and lower the risk of other eye problems.
When to Call Your Eye Doctor
Most cataract changes are slow. A few signs need quicker attention.
Call right away for sudden vision loss, sharp eye pain, new flashes of light, or a curtain across your view. These signs are not from a cataract. They can point to retinal detachment or other urgent issues.
Call during regular hours if your vision feels clearly worse than at your last exam, if night driving feels unsafe, or if reading has become much harder. The team can move your next exam closer.
After age 40, plan on regular eye exams. Yearly exams are a good idea after age 60. Even if vision feels stable, exams can catch cataracts and other conditions early.
Common Questions About Cataracts
Patients often have practical questions about cataracts. The answers below cover the points that come up most often.
No. Cataracts are not painful. They cause cloudy or blurry vision over time. Eye pain is not a typical cataract symptom. Pain may signal another problem and calls for an exam.
Yes, most cataracts form in both eyes. The pace can differ between the two eyes. One eye may be much cloudier than the other for a long time. Surgery is usually done one eye at a time.
Untreated cataracts can lead to severe vision loss. With surgery, vision is usually restored. Cataract surgery is one of the most successful procedures in medicine. Most patients see much clearer after surgery.
No. Drops and supplements have not been shown to clear cataracts. Once lens proteins clump, they cannot be undone with diet or drops. Surgery is the only proven treatment.
Most plans cover cataract surgery when the cataract is affecting daily life. Premium lens upgrades and certain laser steps may add an out-of-pocket fee. Coverage rules vary by plan.
Most cataracts grow slowly over years. Some grow faster, especially in patients with diabetes or after eye injury. Yearly exams help track the pace of change.
You cannot fully prevent cataracts. UV-blocking sunglasses, healthy eating, no smoking, and good diabetes control may delay the change. Yearly eye exams help catch cataracts early.
Most patients notice clearer vision within a day or two. Vision keeps improving over several weeks. By 4 to 6 weeks, vision usually feels stable enough for new glasses.
Schedule a Cataract Evaluation
If your vision feels cloudy or you are due for a routine eye exam, our office can help. A focused exam will check for cataracts and other conditions. Call our office today to book your visit.