A cataract is a condition where the lens inside the eye gradually becomes cloudy. It is mostly associated with normal aging changes and can start developing as early as our 40’s, although the 50’s-60’s age range is more typical. Cataracts usually progress slowly, spanning many years. However, the progress of development may be affected by certain medical conditions such as Diabetes, long term steroid use, or traumatic injuries. Exposure to ultraviolet light over our lives also contributes to cataract development. Once a cataract has progressed to a point where the overall quality of the vision is reduced, and glare and halos around lights becomes problematic, then the cataract can be surgically removed with an out-patient procedure to significantly improve the vision and quality of life.
