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Cataracts

Cataracts are painless, cloudy areas in the lens of the eye. They block light from entering the eye and affect your vision.

Cataracts sometimes grow larger and denser over time, causing vision loss if left untreated. In cases of worsening cataracts, surgery is recommended.

Cataracts are common as you age.


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What Are Cataracts?

Doctors define cataracts as painless, cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that block the passage of light to the retina. Nerve cells in the retina detect light entering the eye and send nerve signals to the brain about what the eye sees. Because cataracts block this light, they can cause vision problems.

Sometimes, cataracts stay small, and you may not notice them. They may not seriously affect your vision or ever become severe, so they may not need to be surgically removed.

But cataracts that grow larger and denser can cause severe vision changes. Vision loss from cataracts often happens slowly. If left untreated, more of the lens can become cloudy and, eventually, entirely white.

A rare type of cataract can lead to glaucoma, a condition causing high pressures inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve.

Removing cataracts with surgery before any of these adverse complications occur is recommended. Surgery can usually prevent blindness due to cataracts.

What causes cataracts?

Aging and exposure to sunlight can cause cataracts in adults, but eye changes caused by aging don't always lead to cataracts.

What are cataract risk factors and complications?

Cataract risk factors

Risk factors that may increase your chances of developing cataracts as an adult include:

  • Certain medications.
  • Diabetes (persistent high blood sugar — glucose — levels can damage the eye's lens).
  • Exposure to ultraviolet light.
  • Eye disease.
  • Eye injury.
  • Family history of cataracts or certain genetic conditions.
  • Long-term use of high doses of steroid medicines, such as for conditions like asthma or emphysema.
  • Older age.
  • Smoking, which can cause chemicals called free radicals to form. High levels of free radicals can damage cells, including those in the eye's lens.
  • Surgery to treat glaucoma.

Complications of cataracts

If left untreated, cataracts may lead to blindness.

How can I prevent cataracts?

While there's no proven way to prevent cataracts, certain lifestyle habits may help to slow cataract growth.

To reduce your risk of cataracts:

  • Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths.
  • Avoid using steroid medications when possible.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Have routine eye exams.
  • Keep diabetes under control.
  • Wear a hat or sunglasses when you're in the sun.

How common are cataracts?

Cataracts are common in older adults. In rare cases, children are born with cataracts or develop them over time. Learn more about the Vision Enhancement Center at UPMC Children's.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts?  

Cataracts don't always cause vision problems or become severe.

But in cases where cataracts cause vision changes, symptoms may include:

  • Blurred or double vision.
  • Cloudy, fuzzy, or foggy vision.
  • Difficulty doing daily activities.
  • Eye pain.
  • Frequent changes in your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription.
  • Seeing a halo or glare around lights in the dark, which may make night driving more difficult.

When should I see a doctor about my cataract symptoms?

If you're experiencing severe eye pain or sudden changes in your vision, such as cloudy vision, loss of vision, or double vision, contact your eye doctor right away.

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How Do You Diagnose Cataracts? 

Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can diagnose cataracts by checking your eyes during a routine eye exam and asking questions about your symptoms and health history. They may run tests to ensure you have a cataract or to rule out other conditions that cause vision changes.

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How Do You Treat Cataracts? 

Only an ophthalmologist can treat cataracts, and surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. Cataract removal surgery has a high success rate and helps people see better.

Many people with cataracts can delay or avoid surgery for months or years if using eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other vision aids helps manage their vision problems and changes.

Lifestyle changes for cataracts

You can manage your cataract-related vision problems and delay/avoid surgery by:

  • Avoiding falls and tripping hazards by maintaining safe spaces.
  • Avoiding glare from screens, lights, and windows.
  • Keeping your eyeglasses and/or contact lens prescription up to date.
  • Using a magnifying glass and/or large-print books for reading.
  • Using a soft background light plus a light on your task.
  • Using assistive technology settings, such as text or video enlargement and/or speech software for your computer.
  • Wearing sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays.

Surgery for cataracts

You may want to consider surgery if your cataracts are causing vision problems that interfere with your work, hobbies, or daily activities like driving and reading.

Surgery for cataracts involves removing the eye's clouded lens (the cataract). The lens is most often replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) implant.

There are various types of cataract surgery:

  • Extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) — Involves making a larger incision and taking out the lens in one piece. This type of cataract surgery is rare.
  • Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) — A computer-guided laser makes the incision in the eye.
  • Phacoemulsification — Involves making a small incision and then using ultrasound waves to break up the lens and remove it in pieces. It's the most common method of cataract surgery.

How effective is cataract surgery?

If you don’t have another eye condition, your chances of vision improvement after cataract surgery are very good. You may still need reading glasses or glasses for driving at night.

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Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2025-1-2.