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Duncan, MD — By Yvette Brazier — Updated on May 29, 2022Cataracts involve a clouding of the eye. They usually take several years to develop but can lead to vision loss. Surgery can often restore a person’s vision. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss worldwide. They are more common in people over 40 years old. However, some people develop them earlier due to genetic factors, and some are born with cataracts. Other causes include inflammation, glaucoma, and diabetes. Currently, around 24.4 million people in the United States have cataracts. When a cataract occurs, the lens becomes opaque or cloudy. Light does not pass through easily, and vision becomes blurry, like looking through a fogged-up window. The cloudier the lens, the harder it will be to see. This article will look at age-related cataracts. Symptoms Share on PinterestFG Trade/Getty ImagesCataracts usually develop over a number of years. A person may notice the following changes: blurry vision seeing doublechanges in color visiondifficulty with night visionsensitivity to glare, such as headlightsa halo effect around lightsa frequent need to change the prescription for glasses or contact lenses Some of these symptoms can occur with other conditions. It is best to check with an eye doctor if a person has concerns about vision changes and other eye problems. Without treatment, cataracts typically slowly progress and cause deterioration or loss of vision. Cataract surgery can improve vision and quality of life Treatment The only cure for cataracts is surgery, but other strategies can help a person manage if they do not want to have surgery just yet. Home and lifestyle remedies Options for managing at home include:using brighter lights wearing antiglare glasses or sunglassesusing a magnifying glass for readinghaving an eyesight test to see if a new prescription will help Surgery For severe cataracts, the only effective treatment is surgery. A doctor may recommend surgery if: cataracts affect a person’s quality of lifethe person is unable to carry out their daily tasksthe individual has no health condition or other factor that makes surgery unsuitable Before surgery, the doctor will measure the person’s eye and prepare an artificial lens. During surgery, a doctor will:put in eye drops to dilate or widen the pupilapply an anesthetic, either combined with the eye drops or as an injection into the tissue around the eyeremove the clouded lensreplace it with the new lens The person will return home on the same day. The person may feel some discomfort, but this usually resolves within a couple of days. The individual should avoid vigorous activities during the recovery period. After surgery, a doctor may recommend:using prescription eyedrops for 1–4 weeksfollowing up with the surgeon at intervalshaving an eye test after a few weeks, in case their prescription has changed Cataract surgery is usually minimally invasive. The National Eye Institute (NEI) describes it as “very safe” and says that 90% of people who have it see better as a result. Does Medicare cover surgery? Complications of surgery While most people find surgery can help their vision, there is a risk of complications. These include:an infection after surgery, such as endophthalmitisposterior capsule opacification, which can easily be treated with a laser procedure if needed retinal detachment After surgery, a person should contact their doctor at once if they notice that:their vision is worsening significantlythey have increasing painthere is worsening redness or swelling around the eye These may be signs of an infection that needs urgent medical attention. Learn more here about cataract surgery. Causes of cataracts Most cataracts happen because the fibers in the eye’s lens become hardened as a person gets older. As a result, the nucleus of the lens becomes compressed. This is called nuclear sclerosis. Proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together, and they take on a yellow-brown color. This affects the transparency of the lens and its ability to react as light passes through it. Risk factors People may have a higher risk of developing cataracts if they:are 40 years of age or olderhave a family history of cataractshave had an eye injury or eye surgeryhave had radiation therapy on their upper bodyhave had a lot of sun exposuretake steroids to treat a health condition, such as arthritishave previously had eye inflammationhave a sedentary lifestylesmoke A number of health conditions can increase the risk of cataracts, such as:high blood pressure, obesity, and other features of metabolic syndromediabetes mellitusatopic dermatitismyotonic dystrophytype 2 neurofibromatosishypoparathyroidismchronic anterior uveitis, an eye inflammationhigh myopiaalcohol use disordera deficiency of certain vitamins and antioxidants, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc What is the link between cataracts and diabetes? Prevention It is not always possible to avoid cataracts, but the following tips may help:avoiding or quitting smokingeating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables, which provide eye-friendly nutrientsmaintaining a suitable body mass index (BMI), as this will reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, a risk factor for cataractsworking with the healthcare team to manage conditions such as diabeteswearing sunglasses that block UV radiationdoing regular physical activitywearing eye protection when doing tasks where there is a risk of something penetrating the eye Can vitamins help keep the eyes healthy? Diagnosis Anyone who has concerns about cataracts may wish to speak with an eye doctor, also called an ophthalmologist. The doctor will likely carry out some tests, such as:a visual acuity test to find out how clearly a person seesa slit-lamp examination to examine the cornea, lens, and other parts of the eyepupillary responses to check the shape and other features of the pupil tests to rule out other conditions, such as blepharitis or chronic conjunctivitis If the doctor notices signs of a cataract, they will discuss the person’s options with them. Types of cataracts There are three main types of cataracts, depending on how they affect the eye:Nuclear cataracts involve cloudiness or discoloration of the lens that affects a person’s vision. They tend to progress slowly and often affect distance vision rather than near sight. There are also subtypes of nuclear cataracts.Cortical cataracts have a spoke-like appearance when an ophthalmologist examines them. The person may complain of glare.Posterior subcapsular cataracts are the most common type to occur in younger people. They cause problems with vision and glare. Frequently asked questions Here are some questions people ask about cataracts. Can cataracts spread from one eye to another Cataracts can develop in both eyes but cannot spread from one eye to another. When should a person contact a doctor about cataracts A person may wish to contact a doctor if:their vision is becoming cloudythey have trouble driving, especially at nightthey have frequent fallsthey are unable to carry out daily tasks because of worsening eyesightthe cataracts affect their quality of life or mental health How long does a cataract take to grow Age-related cataracts usually develop over several years. However, cataracts that develop after an eye trauma, such as surgery, may grow more quickly. In one study, people developed cataracts within 2 years of surgery for other eye conditions. Summary Cataracts are a common eye condition that many people experience as they get older. They are relatively slow to develop but can lead to vision loss. Some tips can help a person see better while cataracts are developing, such as using a magnifying glass to read. Ultimately, the only treatment is surgery, and it is minimally invasive. According to the NEI, 9 out of 10 people say they can see better after. Last medically reviewed on May 29, 2022Eye Health / BlindnessSeniors / Aging 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.At a glance: Cataracts. (2022).https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataractsBeltrán-Zambrano, E., et al. (2018). Risk of cataract in smokers: A meta-analysis of observational studies [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30528895/Cataract. (n.d.).http://www.emro.who.int/health-topics/cataract/Cataract data and statistics. (2019).https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/eye-health-data-and-statistics/cataract-data-and-statisticsCataract in the adult eye preferred practice pattern. (2016).https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(16)31418-X/pdfDiet and nutrition. (n.d.).http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/nutrition/nutrition-and-cataracts?sso=yFeng, H., et al. (2014). Cataract formation following vitreoretinal procedures.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4181740/Lindstrom, R. (2015). Thoughts on cataract surgery: 2015.https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/thoughts-on--cataract-surgery-2015Moshirfar, M., et al. (2021). Cataract surgery.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559253/Nizami, A. A., et al. (2022). Cataract.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539699/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Katherine E. Duncan, MD — By Yvette Brazier — Updated on May 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about a vitrectomy procedureMedically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.D. In a vitrectomy, a surgeon removes fluid from the eye. 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