A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, the clear part of the eye that helps focus light on the retina, and is most often a result of aging. Cataracts usually develop slowly, and may go unnoticed until perceptible vision impairment occurs. Cataracts can eventually make daily activities like reading or driving (especially at night) difficult or impossible. Looking through a cataract can be like looking through a foggy window or a piece of wax paper.
Cataracts can be scary or unnerving, but they are in fact a fairly natural part of visual changes. Many ophthalmologists believe that they are caused in part by exposure to ultraviolet light, with many other factors, including family history, diet, and even things like eye trauma or certain medications.
