Cataracts are common in people over 40 and require surgery. They are diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam. Many think a cataract is a skim over the eye, but it’s actually a clouding of the eye’s lens, located behind the iris. The lens and cornea focus light onto the retina. In youth, the lens is flexible, allowing for clear vision at all distances. As we age, the lens stiffens, requiring reading glasses or bifocals.

The lens is mostly water and protein. In youth, the protein is transparent, but it changes with age, causing cloudiness like a cooked egg. When this cloudiness interferes with daily activities, it’s a cataract. Cataracts grow over time, leading to vision impairment.

If you’re concerned about cataracts, don’t delay an evaluation. They’re easier to remove in the moderate stages than in the late stages. Neglecting cataracts can lead to complications like infections, bleeding, vision loss, or even loss of the eye. However, these complications are rare with skilled surgeons.