Under normal conditions, the lens of the eye is clear. But, when a cataract is present, the lens appears cloudy and can seem as though you’re looking through a fog. With a cataract you may experience sensitivity to light, a need for brighter reading light, reduced night vision, fading of colors, painless blurred vision, double vision, and the possibility of changing your eyeglass prescription with greater frequency. The cloudiness can vary from one eye to the other and may not even be noticeable to the patient because it occurs gradually in most patients.
What a cataract isn’t:
Cataract is not caused by overuse of the eye, and it can’t be spread from one eye to the other. It is not just a film that covers the eye and will not cause irreversible blindness.
What causes a cataract?
The simple process of aging is the most common cause of cataract. However, family history can also play a part. If you have had an eye injury or medical problems, like diabetes, these can also contribute to the formation of a cataract. You’re also more susceptible to cataracts if you have had previous eye surgery, if your eyes have been exposed to sunlight over a long period of time, or by the use of steroids and other medications.
