Understanding Cataracts: Impact on Vision & Treatment

In the United States, cataracts are the leading cause of loss of vision, according to the "Improving the Nation's Vision Health: A Coordinated Public Health Approach" report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Identification

• A cataract is a clouding on the lens of your eye, the structure that is responsible for focusing light onto your retina in order for you to see properly.

Sharpness

• The proteins present in cataracts disrupt the smooth surface of the lens, making your vision less sharp and clear, according to the National Eye Institute.

Color

• Cataracts also cause the lens of your eye to slowly turn yellow. This adds a brown tint to your vision.

Time Frame

• Cataracts develop slowly, meaning that your vision is likely to become discolored and less sharp over a period of months or years, reports the Mayo Clinic.

Types of Vision Loss

• Depending on where your cataract is located, your vision may be better around the edges of your eyes, rather than the center, making your peripheral vision clearer than your straight-ahead vision. If the cataract is on the outer rim of your lens, the opposite is true.