A cataract is a clouding of the eye's naturally clear lens, which sits behind the iris and helps focus light onto the retina. As the lens clouds, vision becomes blurred, hazy, or dim — like looking through a fogged window. Cataracts usually develop slowly with age and are extremely common; in India, cataract is the single leading cause of blindness, though it is also one of the most treatable.
Symptoms
- Cloudy, blurry, or hazy vision
- Colors appearing faded or yellowed
- Increased glare or halos around lights, especially oncoming headlights at night
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
- Double vision in one eye
- Difficulty seeing well at night
- Needing brighter light to read
- Poor vision in bright sunlight
Causes & risk factors
- Aging — by far the most common cause
- Diabetes
- Prolonged unprotected sun (UV) exposure
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Long-term steroid medicine use
- Previous eye injury, inflammation, or eye surgery
- Family history of cataracts
Diagnosis
- Visual acuity test (eye chart)
- Dilated eye examination to view the lens directly
- Slit-lamp examination
- Retinal check to rule out other causes of blurred vision
Treatment options
- Updated glasses, brighter lighting, and anti-glare sunglasses in early stages
- No drop or medicine can reverse or prevent a cataract
- Cataract surgery — removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL); a safe, common, typically day-care procedure
- Timing is based on how much the cataract affects your daily activities, not a fixed stage
When to seek urgent care
Cataracts develop gradually and aren't an emergency by themselves, but sudden vision loss, eye pain, or redness needs urgent evaluation, since these usually point to a different problem.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need cataract surgery?
There isn't one fixed stage — surgery is usually recommended once the cataract meaningfully interferes with reading, driving, or daily activities that matter to you, decided together with your eye doctor.
Is cataract surgery safe?
Yes — it's one of the most commonly performed and safest surgeries, and most people notice clearer vision within days.
Will I need glasses after surgery?
Many people still need mild glasses for reading or fine-tuning afterward, depending on the type of artificial lens used.
Can a cataract come back after surgery?
No, the artificial lens can't develop a cataract. Sometimes the membrane behind it clouds months or years later (posterior capsule opacification) — this is easily treated with a quick laser procedure.
Ready to see us?
Call the appointment desk, or book online — we will confirm your time by phone.
Sources consulted: AAO — What Are Cataracts?, National Eye Institute — Cataracts . General medical information — not a substitute for professional diagnosis. Content pending final medical review by BSEH doctors before publish.
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