A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil. This clouding occurs when proteins in the lens begin to break down, often due to aging, though it can also result from other factors such as injury, certain medications, or health conditions like diabetes. Cataracts cause vision to become blurry, faded, or less colorful, and they can make activities like reading or driving challenging.

Cataract surgery is a highly effective procedure to restore vision. During surgery, the clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. The procedure is safe, quick, and usually leads to significant improvements in vision quality.