Cataract Summary A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Common symptoms are Blurry vision Colors that seem faded Glare – headlights, lamps or sunlight may seem too bright. You may also see a halo around lights. Not being able to see well at night Double vision Frequent prescription changes in your eye wear Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts. NIH: National Eye Institute National Eye Institute Find an Expert American Academy of Ophthalmology American Academy of Ophthalmology Find Services for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired American Foundation for the Blind Finding an Eye Care Professional National Eye Institute National Eye Institute National Eye Institute Start Here Cataract National Eye Institute Cataracts American Academy of Ophthalmology Facts about Cataract National Eye Institute Recognizing Cataracts National Institutes of Health Array Cataract Cataract Cataract removal Cataract surgery – slideshow Slit-lamp exam Standard ophthalmic exam Treatments and Therapies Cataract Surgery American Academy of Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Images Cataract Vision Simulator American Academy of Ophthalmology Cataracts Logical Images Children Cataracts Nemours Foundation Seniors Cataracts AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Statistics and Research Cataracts National Eye Institute NIH Study Provides Clarity on Supplements for Protection Against Blinding Eye Disease National Eye Institute Encyclopedia Cataracts – what to ask your doctor Congenital cataract NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Cataracts and Other Common Eye Diseases Treating Cataracts Treating Cataracts: Dr. Rachel Bishop’s Top Tips for Your Eyes Videos from the National Eye Institute: Eye Diseases Diagnosis and Tests Choosing Wisely When It Comes to Eye Care: Preoperative Testing American Academy of Ophthalmology Dilating Eye Drops American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Cataract National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Lenses, Intraocular National Institutes of Health Reference Desk Diagram of the Eye National Eye Institute Glossary of Terms Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Related Issues Driving When You Have Cataracts National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Facts and Myths about Cataracts Prevent Blindness America IOL Implants: Lens Replacement and Cataract Surgery (Intraocular Lenses) American Academy of Ophthalmology Talking to Your Doctor National Eye Institute Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Chanarin-Dorfman syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: congenital cataracts, facial dysmorphism, and neuropathy National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: hyperferritinemia-cataract syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: isolated ectopia lentis National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: MYH9-related disorder National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Wagner syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Werner syndrome National Library of Medicine Journal Articles Cataract Latest News Healthy Amount of Vitamin C Might Keep Cataracts at Bay HealthDay