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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.
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.
Aging and exposure to sunlight can cause cataracts in adults, but eye changes caused by aging don't always lead to cataracts.
Risk factors that may increase your chances of developing cataracts as an adult include:
If left untreated, cataracts may lead to blindness.
While there's no proven way to prevent cataracts, certain lifestyle habits may help to slow cataract growth.
To reduce your risk of 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.
Cataracts don't always cause vision problems or become severe.
But in cases where cataracts cause vision changes, symptoms may include:
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.
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.
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.
You can manage your cataract-related vision problems and delay/avoid surgery by:
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:
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.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-01-02.
