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 are very common as you get older. In fact, more than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. But over time, cataracts can make your vision blurry, hazy, or less colorful. You may have trouble reading or doing other everyday activities.
Cataracts can be surgically removed through an outpatient procedure that restores vision in nearly everyone.
Cataract Facts:
- You can get cataracts in one eye or both eyes — but they can’t spread from one eye to the other
- By age 80, most people either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery
- Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations in the United States
