OverviewWhat a cataract looks likeWhat a cataract looks likeA cataract occurs when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. Eventually, a cataract can become like the one shown in this person's right eye.How a cataract affects your visionHow a cataract affects your visionClear vision, like on the left, becomes blurred as a cataract forms, like on the right.A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is typically clear. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car at night or see the expression on a friend's face.Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb eyesight early on. But with time, cataracts will eventually affect vision.At first, stronger lighting and eyeglasses can help deal with cataracts. But if impaired vision affects usual activities, cataract surgery might be needed. Fortunately, cataract surgery is generally a...
