Cataract by Definition

Simply put, a cataract is a "clouding" of the lens in your eye. The lens, located just behind the iris, or the colored part of your eye, works like the lens of a camera. It picks up images, then focuses the lights, colors, and shapes on the retina, which sends the images to your brain.

Cataract – As light passes through the cataractous lens, it is diffused or scattered. The result is blurred or defocused vision.

The human lens, made mostly of protein and water, can become clouded—so clouded it keeps light and images from reaching the retina. Eye injury, certain diseases, or even some medications can cause the clouding. But, in over 90% of cases, clouding is caused by the aging process.¹

A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred, or seeing things at night is more difficult. It may also be why the eyeglasses or contact lenses that used to help you read, or do other simple tasks, no longer seem to help.

What a Cataract Is Not

A cataract is not a "film" over the eye, and neither diet nor lasers will make it go away. The best way to treat a cataract is to remove the old, clouded lens and provide a replacement.

1. ¹ Lang GK. Ophthalmology. New York, NY; Thieme New York; 2000.