Conditions Treated at Empire Eye Physicians

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either one or both eyes. However, it cannot spread from one eye to the other.

Age is not the only cause of cataracts. Trauma or injury to the eye, certain medications such as prednisone or cortisone, diabetes, and other less common medical conditions may also cause cataracts. Sometimes, people are even born with cataracts. Cataracts present at birth may be small and harmless or may be large enough to interfere with vision.

A person with a cataract may notice problems such as blurred or distorted vision, glare from sunlight, headlights, or other lights, or trouble focusing on things. When these symptoms begin to interfere with activities of daily living, removal of the cataract may be recommended. The most common form of cataract treatment is surgery.