Cataract care

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About Cataracts

A cataract is characterized as a clouding or fogging of the eye’s lens. Light passes through the iris into the lens, which then focuses the light. A cataract causes this light to cloud, which can blur or dim vision. Cataracts develop slowly, and will usually cause only minimal symptoms early on.

Symptoms of cataracts include:


  • Cloudy vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to light and glare
  • Frequent changes in prescription lenses
  • Double vision in one eye
  • Change in the perception of color

Cataracts do not cause discomfort, although the vision loss that occurs as a result of the condition can be dangerous. Cataracts are a result of proteins that break down over time. This process may happen as a result of aging.

Other risk factors for cataracts include:


  • Cigarette smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Sunlight exposure without eye protection
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Eye injury or other eye conditions
  • Radiation treatment on the upper body
  • Prolonged steroid usage (common for individuals managing arthritis or lupus)
  • Prolonged use of phenothiazine medication (such as Thorazine)

Cataracts are especially common among older individuals. Nearly 50% of people over the age of 80 experience some form of cataracts in one or both of their eyes.

If you are experiencing any form of vision loss, or a persistent change in your vision, talk to your health care provider or eye doctor right away. While there is no definitive method of slowing the progression of cataracts, an ophthalmologist may be able to recommend strategies and treatment options to help your vision and maintain eye health.

Below is a list of common treatment options for cataracts. During your appointment, discuss these with your doctor to determine the right treatment plan for you.

Most mild cataracts can be effectively managed with prescription lenses (such as eyeglasses and contacts). However, if the condition continues to progress and cloud your vision, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove cataracts from the lens of the eye.

Cataract surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure. This means that a hospital stay is not required after the surgery. During the procedure, the area around the eye will be numbed with a local anesthetic. The clouded lens will then be removed from the eye and replaced with a clear lens. This lens is permanent.

If you are undergoing cataract surgery for both eyes, the procedures may occur on separate days to allow you to recover from the first surgery.

You may experience some discomfort while recovering from cataract surgery. Talk to your opthalmologist to discuss recovery methods that can minimize these effects.

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