Cataracts are the clouding of the lens of your eye, which is normally clear. Most cataracts develop slowly over time, causing symptoms such as blurry vision. Cataracts can be surgically removed through an outpatient procedure that restores vision in nearly everyone.
Most people start getting cataracts around age 40. But you probably won’t notice symptoms until after age 60. Rarely, babies are born with cataracts due to a birth defect.
You’re more likely to develop cataracts if you:
Smoke cigarettes, live in an area with bad air pollution, use alcohol heavily and have a family history of cataracts.
Cataracts are common among older people. More than 50% of people age 80 and older have had cataracts.
If you have cataract symptoms: Cloudy or poor vision, poor night vision, double vision. Also, glare and halos, see an ophthalmologist for a complete exam.
The doctor will need to dilate your pupil to see inside your eve. During this test, special eye drops widen your pupil (the black part of the eye). When the pupil is wide open, your doctor checks the health of your eye. Your doctor can see if you have cataracts or other problems and find out how much of your vision is blocked