What causes cataracts?
The design of the human eye is much like that of a camera. Light rays are focused through the lens onto the retina, a layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye that is similar to film. In a normal eye, light rays pass through a clear lens and are focused onto the retina. This produces a bright, clear image.
As the body ages, the lens continues to grow layers onto the existing surface. Over time the lens hardens and becomes cloudy, which often results in dull, cloudy or blurred vision. This condition, known as an age-related cataract, is normal and occurs eventually in most people.
If the clouding is mild or affects only a small area of the lens, your vision may be only slightly affected. If there is more clouding and it affects the entire lens, your vision will become severely limited.
