Cataract - What is a Cataract

Sanford G. Feldman, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Ellie E. Samadani, M.D.
Patricia S. Bainter, M.D.

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(858) 273-0200

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a yellowing or clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens of the eye works much like the lens in a camera to keep things in focus. Cataracts can block or scatter light, causing blurred vision, dim or faded vision, ghost images, or starbursts and halos around lights. The most common cause of cataracts is aging. People with cataracts often report that driving is more difficult, especially at night.

You may start having trouble seeing street signs until you are right on top of them. It may become difficult to see TV or to read, especially in dim light – and even your best glasses may not be helping.

Yellowing and clouding of the lens of the eye is a normal part of the aging process. Cataracts can also develop as a result of injury, as a side effect of certain medications, as a complication of diabetes, and as a result of previous eye surgery. Rarely, cataracts can be present at birth or develop in early childhood. Since cataracts usually develop painlessly, over many years, most people do not notice them, at first. Sometimes, when vision changes from early cataracts do become noticeable, a change in glasses can help. When glasses don’t help, and when the decrease in vision from cataracts begins to affect your lifestyle, it may be time to consider cataract surgery.

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