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The facts about cataracts

Close-up of an older man's eye.

Dec. 18, 2025— As you get older, it's normal for your vision to change. You might find yourself squinting more often, or maybe you're more sensitive to bright light, like the glare of headlights. You also may need to get new glasses or contacts more often.

But vision loss is not a normal part of aging. And cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A cataract develops when proteins in your eye's natural lens begin to break down. This causes the lens to become cloudy. As a result, your vision becomes blurry, dull or hazy.

A gradual change

Cataract symptoms usually come on gradually. In fact, they may not interfere with your life much at first. But it's important to let your doctor know about any vision changes you're experiencing. The vision problems cataracts cause increase your risk for other problems, including:

  • Falls.
  • Cognitive decline.
  • Dementia.

Eventually, cataracts worsen to the point where you have trouble with daily activities, like driving, reading and watching TV, says the National Eye Institute.

To diagnose cataracts, your doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam and dilate (widen) your pupils. After a diagnosis, you and your doctor will discuss the severity of your symptoms and what steps you should take.

The only way to treat cataracts is by surgically removing them and replacing them with an artificial lens. The operation is brief, and it's one of the most common surgeries in the U.S.

Living with cataracts

If your symptoms are not severe enough to warrant surgery yet, here are some ways you can cope:

  • Get a new prescription for your contacts or glasses.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet (UV) light.
  • When reading or doing tasks, use a brighter light.
  • Use the magnification app on your smartphone or a magnifying glass.
  • Make sure your glasses or sunglasses have an anti-glare coating.

As your cataract symptoms progress, stay in contact with your doctor. Together, you'll decide when the time is right for surgery.

To learn more about keeping your eyes healthy, visit our Eyes health topic center.

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