Cataracts are one of the most common reasons people lose vision as they get older — and one of the most treatable. A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye, the clear part that helps focus light. At first, you may not notice it. Over time, vision can become blurry, hazy, or less colorful.
The good news: surgery can get rid of cataracts, and you often don't need to rush. This guide explains what to watch for and what to expect, using information from the National Eye Institute (NEI), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What is a cataract?
A cataract is when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy. The AAO compares it to looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield: things look blurry, hazy, or less colorful. That happens because proteins in the lens break down and clump together. The NEI says those changes usually start around age 40. People over age 60 often have some clouding of the lens, the AAO notes, but you may not notice vision problems until years later.
Cataracts are very common. According to the CDC, they are the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. The CDC estimates that 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older (17.2%) have a cataract in one or both eyes, and 6.1 million (5.1%) have had the lens removed by surgery. The NEI says that more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them.
You can get a cataract in one eye or both, but the NEI says cataracts cannot spread from one eye to the other. They can also occur at any age, and can be present at birth, according to the CDC. Most age-related cataracts develop gradually. The AAO notes that cataracts in younger people, or in people with diabetes, can develop more quickly. Doctors cannot predict how quickly a person's cataract will develop.
"The good news is that surgery can get rid of cataracts. Cataract surgery is safe and corrects vision problems caused by cataracts."
NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
Who is at risk?
Your risk for cataracts goes up as you get older. The NEI also lists a higher risk if you:
- Have certain health problems, such as diabetes. The CDC notes that people with diabetes are more likely to have cataracts, and at a younger age. Read our guide to diabetes and your eyes.
- Smoke
- Drink too much alcohol
- Have a family history of cataracts
- Have had an eye injury, eye surgery, or radiation treatment on your upper body
- Have spent a lot of time in the sun
- Take steroids, which are medicines used to treat some health problems, such as arthritis or allergies
The AAO says protecting your eyes from sunlight is the best way to try to slow cataract development. Wear sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) rays, or eyeglasses with a clear anti-UV coating. Our sun safety guide for your eyes explains how to choose sunglasses that actually protect them.
Symptoms to know
You might not have any symptoms at first, when cataracts are mild. As they grow, the NEI and AAO list signs such as:
- Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision
- Colors that look faded or yellow
- Trouble seeing well at night, or needing more light when you read
- Lamps, sunlight, or headlights that seem too bright, or a halo around lights
- Double vision or a ghosted image in the eye with the cataract (the NEI notes this sometimes goes away as the cataract gets bigger)
- Having to change your glasses or contact lens prescription often
Talk with your eye doctor if you have any of these symptoms — they could also be signs of other eye problems.
You don't have to rush into surgery
Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract, but you may not need it right away. The NEI says waiting to have surgery usually won't harm your eyes or make surgery more difficult later. You should consider surgery when cataracts start getting in the way of everyday activities such as reading, driving, or watching TV. (NEI)
How cataracts are found and treated
An eye doctor can check for cataracts as part of a comprehensive dilated eye exam. The NEI recommends a dilated exam every 1 to 2 years if you are age 60 or older. The AAO advises an eye exam every year if you are older than 65, and every two years if you are younger. Your ophthalmologist can tell you what schedule is right for you.
1. Dilating your pupils
Drops widen (dilate) your pupils so your ophthalmologist can examine the lens and the inside of your eye. The AAO says a slit-lamp exam looks at the cornea, iris, lens, and other areas at the front of the eye, and the doctor will also look for glaucoma and examine the retina and optic nerve. Plan for blurry, light-sensitive vision for a while afterward, and bring sunglasses.
2. Everyday adjustments
Early on, a new glasses or contact lens prescription can help you see better. The NEI also suggests brighter lights at home or work, anti-glare sunglasses, and magnifying lenses for reading. The AAO advises limiting night driving once night vision, halos, or glare become a problem. Our Cedar City Optical Center can help with glasses once your eyes have been checked.
3. When to consider surgery
The AAO says you should consider surgery when cataracts keep you from doing things you want or need to do. If symptoms are mild, you do not have to remove a cataract right away. Talk with your ophthalmologist about the benefits, risks, preparation, and recovery so you can decide together whether you are ready. (AAO)
4. How surgery works
Your surgeon removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). The AAO says your eye is numbed, you are awake, and tiny incisions are made near the edge of the cornea. Usually the surgeon will not need to stitch the incisions closed; these self-sealing incisions close on their own. The NEI says 9 out of 10 people who have the surgery can see better afterward. Learn more on our cataract surgery page.
5. Protecting your eyes
You cannot always prevent cataracts, but you can lower your risk. The NEI and AAO recommend wearing sunglasses that block UV light and a hat with a brim, quitting smoking, and making eye-healthy food choices such as fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and whole grains. If you have diabetes, keep up with your yearly dilated eye exam.
Cataract care checklist
- Get a comprehensive dilated eye exam on the schedule your doctor recommends
- Tell your eye doctor if cataracts are getting in the way of everyday activities
- Use brighter lights and an up-to-date glasses prescription while cataracts are mild
- Limit night driving if glare, halos, or poor night vision become a problem
- Wear sunglasses that block UV rays and a hat with a brim
- If you smoke, quit; if you have diabetes, keep your yearly diabetic eye exam
Years later, some people notice cloudy vision again. The AAO says this is often because the lens capsule that holds the IOL has become cloudy, sometimes called a posterior capsular opacification. An ophthalmologist can use a laser (a capsulotomy) to open the cloudy capsule and restore clear vision.
Cataract care in Southern Utah
Mountain Eye Institute provides no-stitch cataract surgery in Cedar City, along with care for glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. If your glasses prescription is changing, our Cedar City Optical Center can help once your eyes have been checked.
Spending time outdoors? UV exposure is a cataract risk factor. Read our sun safety guide for your eyes, or learn more about our Cedar City ophthalmology practice. Not sure when you last had your eyes checked? See our guide to how often you should get an eye exam.
Sources
- NEI: Cataracts
- AAO: What Are Cataracts?
- AAO: Cataract Surgery: Risks, Recovery, Costs
- CDC: About Common Eye Disorders and Diseases
- CDC: Vision Loss and Diabetes
This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for advice from your eye doctor.
Are cataracts getting in the way of everyday life?
Our team can check your eyes for cataracts and talk through what's next, including whether surgery is the right step for you.
