What is cataracts?

Cataracts are a painless, cloudy area in the lens of the eye. They block the passage of light to the retina. Nerve cells in the retina detect light entering the eye and send nerve signals to the brain about what the eye sees. Because cataracts block this light, they can cause vision problems.

Cataracts are common in older adults. But changes caused by aging don't always lead to cataracts. People with a family history of cataracts may also develop them. Sometimes children are born with cataracts.

Cataracts can affect your vision in several ways.

• You may have cloudy, fuzzy, or foggy vision.
• You may see glare from lamps or the sun. You may have trouble driving at night because of glare from car headlights.
• You may need to change your eyeglasses prescription often.

The vision loss from a cataract often happens slowly. It may never become severe. Many times cataracts don't cause any vision problems.

Your doctor can find out if you have cataracts by checking your eyes. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and past health. You may need tests to make sure you have a cataract. Tests can also rule out other conditions that may be causing vision problems.

During routine eye exams, your eye doctor will look for early signs of vision problems, including cataracts.

Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. The surgery works well and helps people see better. But surgery may not be needed. Or it can be delayed for months or years. Many people with cataracts get along very well with the help of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.

Whether you need surgery depends on how much of a problem the cataract causes for daily activities like driving and reading. Surgery is almost always by your choice (elective). It can be scheduled when it's convenient.

Some people must have surgery. This includes children who are born with cataracts that need to be removed. It also includes people who get cataracts after an eye injury or as a result of eye disease or other health problems.

Only an ophthalmologist can treat cataracts.

If you have cataracts, you can manage your vision problems at home and avoid or delay surgery. For example, you can:

• Use a soft background light plus a light on your task.
• Avoid glare on TV and computer screens. You can also move room lights and use window shades to avoid glare.
• Keep your eyeglass or contact lens prescription up to date.
• Wear sunglasses to block out harmful sunlight. Buy sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays.
• Use technology such as video enlargement systems or speech software for computer systems.
• Use a magnifying glass for reading. Look for large-print books. Use the settings on your phone, tablet, or other device to make the text size larger. These will make reading more enjoyable.
• Protect your eyes by avoiding falls. Adjust rugs, carpets, furniture, and electric cords to avoid tripping.