A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens inside your eye. This lens is one of the key structures for focusing light at the back of your eye, where nerves send signals to your brain and you see an image. When the lens of your eye is clear and unclouded, it allows light to pass through. As your lens naturally clouds with age, it blocks some light from coming through. This causes vision to become yellowed and blurry, almost like looking through an amber filter or dirty glasses.

Cataracts do not hurt. You may feel discomfort as your eyes become more sensitive to light.

The most common cause of cataracts is aging. Other factors can include:

• Eye disease or trauma
• Health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure
• Lifestyle choices, such as alcohol and smoking
• Medicines or treatments such as corticosteroids or radiation therapy
• Sunlight exposure

Common symptoms of cataracts include:

• Blurred, cloudy or dim vision
• Double vision
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
• Needing brighter light for reading and other activities
• Poor night vision
• Seeing "halos" around lights
• Sensitivity to light and glare

If you have trouble seeing clearly, call your doctor. If you are older than 40, get an eye exam every two years, even if you do not notice any vision changes.

Your doctor uses a physical examination of your eye and vision tests to diagnose a cataract. Tests may include:

• Dilation – Your doctor uses medicine to dilate your pupils to better see inside your eyes.
• Ophthalmoscope exam – Your doctor uses this tool to directly examine the eye.
• Retinal exam – Your doctor studies your retina and checks your lens for signs of cloudiness.
• Slit lamp exam – Your doctor uses this tool to spot small abnormalities and get a magnified, 3D view of your eye.
• Visual acuity tests – You read an eye chart to check the effect of cataracts on your vision.

Cataracts occur most often in people older than 65. They can start to form in adults between ages 40 and 50. Some children are born with cataracts.

Your doctor works with you to find the best way to improve and correct your vision. A stronger prescription or a magnifying glass can help.

Surgery becomes the best treatment option when your vision limits your daily activities or impedes your vision. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Early vision loss from cataracts is often mild. You can manage it by:

• Using brighter light bulbs since it’s easier to see with more light
• Using a magnifying glass for reading
• Wearing polarized sunglasses, which reduce glare

An ophthalmologist performs cataract surgery.

Cataract removal is a common procedure and is safely performed millions of times each year. During the procedure, the cataract surgeon removes the clouded lens that has affected your vision, and replaces it with a clear, artificial, intraocular lens. As a result, most patients can achieve a noticeable improvement in their vision. Cataract surgery used to require a fairly large incision in the eye, and the use of sutures to close that incision. Today, technological advances allow surgeons to work through an incision much smaller than in the past, usually requiring no sutures at all.

The procedure to remove a cataract takes approximately one hour. You will be awake for some of the procedure, but will receive light IV sedation or a numbing injection to make you comfortable throughout the procedure.

You choose an artificial intraocular lens before surgery. Your new lens is:

• Clear
• Personalized to your vision needs
• Shaped to fit your eye

Your doctor inserts the new lens into the lens capsule. Your new lens is permanent and should not need to be replaced.

Your eye typically heals within 4-6 weeks following surgery. You can return to your daily activities a day after surgery.

Cataract surgery is safe, with a low risk of any complications. It is the most commonly performed procedure in the world. Some people do get an infection or vision loss after the procedure. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of cataract surgery with your doctor.

You do not feel pain or pressure during cataract removal. You may feel mild pain and discomfort for a few days after surgery. Your doctor gives you pain medicine.

You go home the same day as your surgery. You may have mild symptoms for a day or two, such as:

• Blurry vision
• Itching
• Mild discomfort
• Sensitivity to light
• Watery eye

Your doctor may prescribe eye drops to:

• Control the pressure inside your eye
• Prevent infection
• Promote healing

As you recover, you should avoid:

• Activities that could injure your eye
• Bending over
• Lifting heavy objects
• Touching your eyes

In rare cases, a secondary cataract can develop. Cloudiness builds up on the surface of the artificial lens. Your doctor can repair the lens with a 5-minute laser surgery. Your vision improves within 24 hours.

Most people experience successful cataract surgery. Risks can include:

• Bleeding
• Increased risk of retinal detachment
• Infection
• Problems with the lens implant

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your specific risks and how to prevent complications.

Untreated cataracts can lead to significant visual impairment and predisposes patients to falls, car accidents, and an overall decreased quality of life.

Numerous studies demonstrate an improvement in daily activities and subjective vision after cataract surgery.

Talk with your doctor about all of your options.

Your surgical coordinator and financial advisor will provide you with detailed information regarding costs prior to your surgical procedure.