If your vision has started to feel cloudy, hazy, or like you're looking through a foggy window, a cataract may be the cause. Cataracts are one of the most common age-related eye conditions — and one of the most treatable.

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which sits behind the iris and pupil. As proteins in the lens break down over time, they clump together and scatter light instead of letting it pass through clearly, leading to blurred or dimmed vision.

Common Symptoms

• Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision
• Increased sensitivity to glare, especially from headlights at night
• Seeing halos around lights
• Colors appearing faded or yellowed
• Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription
• Double vision in one eye

What Causes Cataracts?

Aging is the most common cause — most people develop some degree of lens clouding by their 60s and 70s. Other contributing factors include diabetes, prolonged steroid use, previous eye injury or surgery, excessive UV exposure, and smoking.

Do I Need Surgery Right Away?

Not necessarily. In early stages, an updated glasses prescription, brighter lighting, and anti-glare lenses can help manage symptoms. Surgery becomes the recommended option when cataracts start interfering with daily activities like driving, reading, or working — and it's one of the safest, most commonly performed procedures in medicine today.

The Bottom Line

Cataracts develop gradually, so it's easy to adjust without realizing how much vision has changed. A comprehensive eye exam can determine whether what you're experiencing is a cataract and, if so, how advanced it is.

Notice changes in your vision? Schedule an evaluation with our team to find out what's going on and what your options are.