A cataract is a condition wherein the usually clear eye lens gets clouded. Seeing through a cloudy lens is like looking through a fogged-up or frosty window for people with cataracts. Clouded vision from cataracts makes driving a car (mostly at night), reading, or gauging expressions challenging. Primarily, cataracts develop slowly and do not impair eyesight in the early stages. However, over time, cataracts can interfere with vision.

Initially, eyeglasses and stronger lighting can help one deal with cataracts, but when impaired vision or other cataract signs interfere with one’s daily activities, surgery can help. Fortunately, this treatment is typically safe.

Signs and symptoms
Common cataract symptoms include the following:

• Seeing faded colors
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Double vision in the impaired eye
• Increased sensitivity to piercing light
• Requiring frequent changes in prescription glasses
• Seeing halos around lights

Causes
Gradual protein breakdown in the legs causes cataracts. Beyond this, some environmental and genetic factors also amplify the risk of developing cataracts or getting them at an earlier age than others.

Risk factors
Broadly, the cataract risk factors fall into three main categories:

• Genetic risk factors
  When first-degree relatives have had cataracts, the probability of one developing them also increases. Some gene mutations result in congenital cataracts. Gene mutations amplify the risk of developing age-related cataracts due to environmental risk factors. Though one cannot change this risk factor, they can share the information with their health professional to take timely preventive measures.
• Medical risk factors
  Some common medical factors that amplify cataract risk are high blood sugar or diabetes, eye surgeries like glaucoma, eye diseases like uveitis or retina pigmentosa, and certain anti-inflammatory treatment options for managing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Environmental risk factors
  These include the cataract causes encountered by the world around one, such as the toxic substances one ingests or breathes in. Environmental factors are dangerous as they amplify the susceptibility of free radicals in the body. These include unstable molecules that damage healthy cells. By harming the cells in the eye’s lens, the free radicals may trigger cataracts. Some common environmental risk factors include pesticides, air pollution, industrial chemicals, a history of radiation therapy on the upper body, and long-term exposure to the sun’s UV light. Reducing environmental exposures can lower one’s susceptibility to cataracts.

Treatment
A doctor will devise the best treatment plan for a patient’s symptoms based on the following:

• How sick a patient is
• Their age
• Their preferences or opinion
• How long the condition lasts
• Their medical history and overall health
• How well they can endure specific therapies, procedures, or treatments

Cataract signs may sometimes seem like other medical problems or conditions. Hence, one must see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Losing eyesight from cataracts in the early stages can be treated with stronger lighting, magnifying glasses, and eyeglasses.

Though these actions are not beneficial anymore, surgery is the most effective treatment option. Doctors will suggest cataract surgery if the loss of eyesight starts interfering with one’s daily activities, such as watching TV, reading, or driving. One can sit down with a healthcare expert to make this decision.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries. It is one of the most effective and safest treatments. Surgery is straightforward and involves swapping the cloudy lens with a clear one. People with cataracts in both eyes will not undergo surgery for both eyes simultaneously.