Cataracts: What You Need to Know About the Clouding of Vision

If your world is starting to look cloudy, blurry, or faded in color, you might be experiencing the early signs of cataracts. This common eye condition affects millions of people, especially as they age. Fortunately, cataracts are treatable — and understanding the condition is the first step toward clearer vision.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding or opacity of the eye’s natural lens. Think of it as a foggy window that distorts the image your eye tries to focus on the retina. Over time, this can lead to significant vision loss and, if untreated, even blindness.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts have several possible causes:

• Aging: The most common type, called senile cataracts, develops naturally over time.

• Genetics: Some people are born with congenital cataracts.

• Eye Injury: Trauma can lead to traumatic cataracts.

• Other Conditions: These are known as secondary cataracts and may result from:

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Maternal rubella infection during pregnancy

  • Severe nearsightedness (myopia)

  • Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light

  • Medications, especially long-term use of corticosteroids

Recognizing the Signs

Cataracts don’t develop overnight. Here’s what to watch for:

Early Symptoms:

• Blurry or cloudy vision

• Colors appear faded or yellowed

Later Symptoms:

• Double vision (diplopia)

• Difficulty seeing at night

• White-looking pupil

• Loss of the red reflex (a normal reflection seen in flash photos)

• Gradual loss of vision over time

Pain or redness usually isn’t part of age-related cataracts, so if you experience these symptoms, it may signal another issue.

When Is Treatment Needed?

Cataract surgery is recommended when vision loss begins to affect your daily activities — such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces. You don’t have to wait until you’re blind; the goal is to improve your quality of life.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

The only effective treatment is surgery — a quick, often outpatient procedure. It’s typically done on one eye at a time. There are a few surgical options:

• Phacoemulsification: The most common method. The cloudy lens is broken up using ultrasound and removed, while the capsule is left in place.

• Intracapsular extraction: The entire lens and capsule are removed (less common today).

• A new artificial lens (intraocular lens, or IOL) is often implanted during surgery.

• In some cases, a partial iridectomy is done to prevent glaucoma after surgery.

Before Surgery: What to Expect

Preoperative care is important to reduce complications:

• Avoid straining (like coughing or bending over) before surgery.

• Learn how to use eye drops, which you'll need for several weeks afterward.

• You’ll receive medicated eye drops before the procedure to dilate and relax the eye.

After Surgery: Care Tips at Home

Recovering from cataract surgery is usually smooth, but proper care is key. Here’s what to do:

• Keep the head elevated (30–45 degrees) while resting.

• Sleep on your non-operative side.

• Use an eye patch as prescribed.

• Keep the surgical eye clean and protected.

• Avoid lifting, bending, sneezing, or anything that increases pressure in the eye.

• Use prescribed eye drops faithfully.

• Wipe any tearing from inner to outer corner with a sterile wet cotton ball.

• Wear an eye shield at bedtime to protect your eye.

Life After Cataract Surgery

If a new lens is implanted, you’ll likely enjoy clearer vision quickly. But if it isn’t, you’ll need cataract glasses or contact lenses to help you see:

• Cataract glasses act as magnifiers and may make things appear closer.

• Contact lenses offer sharper vision but require good hand-eye coordination.

When to Call the Doctor

Mild discomfort or itching is normal for a few days, but contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice:

• Severe pain

• Increased redness

• Decreased vision

• Yellow or green discharge

Cataracts may cloud your vision, but with timely intervention, they don’t have to cloud your life. If you or a loved one are experiencing vision changes, don’t delay — speak with an eye care provider and explore your treatment options.