A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which sits behind the colored part of the eye. Cataracts usually develop slowly and become more common with age. Common signs include:
- Cloudy, blurry or dim vision
- Glare from lights, or halos around them, especially at night
- Colors that look faded or yellowed
- Needing brighter light to read
These changes can have other causes, so only an eye exam can show what is going on. See an eye doctor if your vision changes or if tasks such as reading or driving become harder. When a cataract interferes with daily life, an eye surgeon can explain whether surgery may help.
Sudden vision loss, eye pain or new flashes of light need urgent medical attention.
