Cataract

Cataract is a common eye condition where the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurred or reduced vision. It usually develops slowly and is most often related to aging, but it can occur at any age. What causes cataracts? Aging (most common) Diabetes Long-term steroid use Eye injury or surgery Smoking Excessive sun (UV) exposure Congenital (present at birth) Common symptoms Blurry or cloudy vision Difficulty seeing at night Sensitivity to light or glare Seeing halos around lights Colors appearing faded or yellow Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription Double vision in one eye Types of cataracts Nuclear cataract – affects the center of the lens Cortical cataract – affects the edges of the lens Posterior subcapsular cataract – affects the back of the lens Congenital cataract – present at birth Treatment Early stage Stronger glasses Better lighting Anti-glare sunglasses Advanced stage 🔹 Cataract surgery (the only permanent treatment) Cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) Usually a safe, quick procedure (15–30 minutes) Vision improves within days to weeks Is cataract surgery safe? Yes. It is one of the most common and successful surgeries worldwide, with a very high success rate. Prevention tips Wear UV-protective sunglasses Control diabetes Avoid smoking Eat a healthy diet (rich in antioxidants) Regular eye checkups If you want, I can also: Show cataract images Explain cataract surgery step-by-step Help identify symptoms based on your age Discuss types of lens implants (IOLs)