The Facts
Cataracts are a condition where the lens - the part of the eye that focuses
light - becomes cloudy. The lenses in the eyes are normally clear or transparent,
but with age, chemical changes happen which makes them "cloud over."
This causes a gradual and painless loss of vision, which can eventually lead
to blindness. Fortunately, the process can almost always be reversed with surgery.
Cataracts are very common. They usually begin to appear after age 50;
about half of people aged 75 are affected. While we're all at risk of getting
them as we age, some things make cataracts more likely, including cigarette
smoking, lack of vitamins, sun exposure, and certain medications (see below).