Cloudy vision caused by cataracts can be corrected with surgery.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision. 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 or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Common symptoms are:

Blurry vision
Colors that seem faded
Glare – headlights, lamps or sunlight may seem too bright
Halo around lights
Not being able to see well at night
Double vision
Frequent prescription changes in your eyewear

Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.

Source: NIH: National Eye Institute

Cataract surgery

What is a cataract?

Andrew Hendershot, MD, an ophthalmologist at Ohio State's Havener Eye Institute, explains exactly what a cataract is and when cataract surgery is appropriate.