Condition

Cataracts

Also known as Age-Related Cataract, Nuclear Sclerotic Cataract, Cortical Cataract, Posterior Subcapsular Cataract, Cloudy Lens

Updated May 16, 2026For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

A cataract is a cloudy spot in the lens of your eye. It slowly blurs your vision, but a short surgery can replace the cloudy lens with a clear plastic one and restore sight.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. They caused about 40% of all blindness in 2020 1.

The lens of your eye sits behind the colored part (iris). When you are young the lens is clear, like glass. As you age, proteins in the lens clump together and the lens turns cloudy. That cloud is a cataract 2.

Cataracts grow slowly, often over years. Vision gets blurry, colors look faded, and lights look too bright at night. There is no drop or pill that can clear a cataract. The only proven treatment is a short outpatient surgery to swap the cloudy lens for a clear artificial one. About 9 out of 10 people see 20/40 or better after surgery 3.

Symptoms & Warning Signs

Cataracts grow slowly, so the changes can be easy to miss. The most common symptoms are:

  • Cloudy, foggy, or blurry vision — like looking through a dirty window
  • Glare and halos around lights — especially when driving at night
  • Faded or yellow-looking colors
  • Trouble seeing in dim light
  • Double vision in one eye (you still see double when the other eye is closed)
  • Frequent changes in your glasses prescription

Cataracts are not painful and do not make your eye red. If you have sudden eye pain, a red eye, sudden vision loss, or many new flashes and floaters, that is a different problem and you should be seen the same day 4.

What Causes Cataracts

Most cataracts come from normal aging. Over the years, the proteins in your lens clump together and turn cloudy 2.

Some things speed this up:

  • Diabetes — high blood sugar damages the lens.
  • Smoking — smokers get cataracts earlier and faster.
  • Sunlight (UV-B) — years of bright sun without sunglasses raise the risk.
  • Long-term steroid use — pills, inhalers, or eye drops used for months or years.
  • Eye injury or eye surgery — past trauma or surgery for other eye problems.
  • Family history — some people inherit a higher risk.

Babies can also be born with cataracts. This is rare and is usually picked up at the newborn eye check.

Treatment

There is no eye drop, pill, vitamin, or laser pointer that can clear a cataract. The only proven treatment is surgery 4.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common and most successful surgeries in the world. The eye doctor removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The most common method is called phacoemulsification, where the lens is broken up with sound waves through a tiny cut in the eye.

  • How long it takes: usually 15-30 minutes per eye.
  • Anesthesia: numbing drops; you stay awake but relaxed.
  • Recovery: most people see better within 1-3 days. Full healing takes about 4-6 weeks.
  • Success: about 9 out of 10 people see 20/40 or better after surgery 3.

Both eyes usually need surgery if both have cataracts, but they are done on different days — often 1-4 weeks apart — so one eye is always healing while the other can see.

When is the right time? Surgery is usually offered when cataracts make it hard to do things you care about — driving, reading, work, or hobbies. You do not have to wait for the cataract to be "ripe."

Can You Prevent Cataracts?

You cannot fully prevent cataracts — most are part of getting older. But these steps may help slow them down 5:

  • Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B rays whenever you are outside in bright sun.
  • Do not smoke. If you do, quitting lowers your risk of cataract and many other diseases.
  • Keep diabetes under control if you have it.
  • Eat plenty of fruits and leafy green vegetables. Diets high in vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin are linked to lower cataract risk in some studies 6.
  • Get a full eye exam every 1-2 years after age 60, or sooner if your vision changes.

Vitamin pills and "cataract dissolving" drops sold online have not been shown to work in good studies. Save your money.

Common Questions About Cataracts

No. No eye drop, pill, vitamin, or laser pointer can clear a cataract. Surgery is the only proven treatment. The good news is that cataract surgery is short, low-risk, and very successful — about 9 out of 10 people see 20/40 or better afterward 3.

Next Steps

  1. 1Book a full eye exam if your vision is blurry, glare bothers you at night, or it has been more than a year since your last check.
  2. 2Tell your eye doctor about diabetes, steroid medicines, or any past eye injuries.
  3. 3Wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B every time you are outside.
  4. 4If you smoke, talk with your doctor about quitting — it slows cataract growth and helps the rest of your body too.
  5. 5If your doctor recommends surgery, ask about lens choices (basic vs. premium IOL) and what your insurance covers.
  6. 6Go to the emergency room right away if you have sudden vision loss, severe eye pain with halos and nausea, or many new flashes and floaters.

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