What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts happen when protein builds up in the lens of your eye, making it cloudy. This prevents light from passing clearly through the lens, causing some loss of vision. New lens cells form on the outside of the lens, and the older cells are compacted into the center of the lens, forming the cataract.

Types of cataracts include:

• Age-related cataracts. These cataracts form because of of aging.
• Congenital cataracts. Babies are sometimes born with cataracts as a result of an infection, injury, or poor development before they were born, or they may develop during childhood.
• Secondary cataracts. These develop as a result of other medical conditions, like diabetes, or exposure to toxic substances, certain drugs (such as corticosteroids or diuretics), ultraviolet light, or radiation.
• Traumatic cataracts. These form after an injury to the eye.

Other things that can raise your risk of getting cataracts include cigarette smoke, air pollution, and heavy drinking.

Cataracts usually form slowly and cause few symptoms until they noticeably block light. Symptoms can include:

• Vision
  

  that is cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy

• Progressive nearsightedness in older people often called “second sight” because although their distance vision is getting worse, they may no longer need reading glasses

• Changes in the way you see color

• Problems driving at night such as glare from oncoming headlights

• Problems with glare during the day

• Double vision

• Sudden changes in your glasses prescription

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?

You will get an eye exam to test how well you can see (remember to bring your glasses or wear your contacts to the appointment). Your doctor will also dilate your pupil to examine the lens and other parts of the eye.

How Are Cataracts Treated?

If your vision can be corrected with eyeglasses or contacts, your doctor may prescribe them.

If your vision cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts and cataracts interfere with your daily life, you may need cataract surgery.