A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. It has the effect of looking through a fogged up mirror. Having clouded vision can make it difficult to read, watch television or drive a car. Although they usually don’t cause any pain or double vision, cataracts often affect distant vision.  

Clouding of the lens is a normal part of getting older. Mostly, cataracts develop slowly. They don’t tend to disturb your eyesight early on. As the cataract progresses it will eventually interfere with your vision. When the cataract is in its early stages, stronger lighting and glasses can help to improve your vision. At some point, if the cataract gets worse, you may need surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective. Most of the time a cataract develops slowly and causes no pain. Some symptoms of a cataract include:

• Double vision in a single eye
• You have to use brighter lights when reading
• Halos around lights
• Difficulty with vision at night time
• Clouded, dim or blurred vision
• Colors look faded or yellow

Lamps, headlights or sunlight may seem too bright if you have a cataract. Cataracts are not dangerous to the health of your eye unless the lens becomes completely white. This is known as overripe cataract. This condition can cause pain, headaches and inflammation. A cataract can develop in one or both eyes. It can affect some or the entire lens. Cataracts occur in three types:

• Nuclear – This occurs in the center of the lens
• Cortical – This begins as whitish streaks on the outer edge of the lens
• Subcapsular – This starts out small and forms on the back of the lens

When we age, the lens of our eye becomes more flexible. Age related lens change isn’t the only cause of a cataract. Some people are born with them or they can develop in childhood. Everyone is at risk of developing cataracts. Some other factors that increase your risk of getting cataracts include:

• Hereditary
• Eye injury or inflammation
• Excessive sunlight exposure
• Smoking
• Diabetes

If your child develops trouble with their vision, or you notice a cloudy spot in their eye, take them to have their vision checked immediately.