WHAT ARE CATARACTS AND HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR VISION?
Medically reviewed by FYidoctors' Editorial Team
Book an eye examCataracts affect millions of Americans and are a leading cause of vision loss worldwide if left untreated. While they can't be entirely prevented, you can take steps to reduce the risk of progression.
Knowing which symptoms to watch for and detecting early changes through regular eye exams is an important step in protecting your long-term eye health.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are the clouding of the eye's natural lens—the part of the eye that focuses light onto the retina so you can see clearly. Over time, proteins in the lens break down and clump together, causing vision to become blurry, dim, or hazy.
Early detection can help you manage cataracts before they begin to interfere more significantly with daily activities like reading, driving, or working.
Common symptoms of cataracts can include:
Blurry or cloudy vision
Glare or halos around lights
Difficulty seeing at night
Faded or yellowed colors
Frequent changes in prescription
Needing brighter light for reading or close work
While cataracts are common as we age, some factors can increase the risk of developing them earlier or more quickly, including:
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Being over 60 years old
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Diabetes
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Smoking
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Long-term corticosteroid use
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Previous eye injury or eye surgery
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Too much UV exposure without proper eye protection
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A family history of cataracts
What type of cataract do you have?
There are three main types of cataracts:
Nuclear cataracts are the most common type and form in the centre of the lens. They are usually age-related and develop slowly, which can make them harder to notice at first.
Cortical cataracts begin at the outer edge of the lens and move inward. They can scatter light as it enters the eye, which may lead to blurry vision, glare, and trouble seeing clearly in bright or low-light conditions. This type is more common in people with diabetes.
Posterior subcapsular cataracts form at the back of the lens and progress faster than other cataracts. They affect reading vision, glare sensitivity, and brightness tolerance. Most common in people with diabetes, high myopia, certain retinal conditions, or corticosteroid use.
Diagnosing cataracts
A routine eye exam can help identify cataracts early, often before they begin to noticeably affect your day-to-day vision. At FYidoctors, a comprehensive eye exam can help spot changes in the lens and monitor progress over time. Advanced technology can support early detection and a better understanding of your overall eye health.
Your optometrist may look for:
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Changes in lens clarity
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Reduced visual sharpness
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Increased glare sensitivity
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Other eye health concerns that may affect your vision
Treating cataracts
Most cataracts are age-related and can begin developing in your 60s. In the early stages, they may be managed with updated eyeglass prescriptions, yellow-tinted lenses to manage glare, and improved lighting. These options can't remove cataracts, but they can ease symptoms while they're still mild.
If vision worsens, then cataract surgery — one of the most commonly performed procedures in the world — is the next step. During surgery, the cloudy natural lens is replaced with a clear artificial intraocular (IOL) lens, which the patient can choose based on their visual needs: single-vision distance, single-vision near, one of each (monovision), or multifocal lenses. Following surgery, most patients see clearly within a few days.
FAQs
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The earliest sign is usually mildly blurry or hazy vision, especially when reading or driving at night. You may also notice glare from headlights or sunlight and need brighter light for close-up tasks.
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The most common cause is age-related protein breakdown in the eye's natural lens. Diabetes, smoking, long-term steroid use, eye injury, and prolonged UV exposure can speed up cataract development.
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Cataracts cannot be reversed by drops, supplements or lifestyle changes. In early stages, updated glasses, anti-glare lenses and brighter lighting can manage symptoms. Cataract surgery is the only treatment that removes them.
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Surgery is typically recommended when cataracts interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, or working — not at a specific "ripeness." Your optometrist will help you decide based on your visual needs.
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Yes. While most cataracts are age-related, congenital cataracts, eye trauma, diabetes, certain medications and high myopia can cause cataracts in children and younger adults.