What Causes Cataracts and When Should You Consider Surgery?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens that causes light to scatter rather than focus clearly on the retina, gradually reducing visual clarity, color perception, and contrast sensitivity. This condition remains the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.

This guide covers the causes and types of cataracts, how symptoms develop and affect daily life, the diagnostic process, when surgery may be appropriate, and how to protect your lens health over time.

Cataracts form through several distinct pathways. Aging is the most common driver, with lens protein breakdown affecting a majority of adults over 60. Systemic conditions like diabetes, cumulative UV exposure, eye trauma, certain medications, and congenital factors each contribute to lens opacity through different mechanisms.

The types of cataracts, including nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular, congenital, and traumatic, vary by location within the lens and produce different visual effects. Posterior subcapsular cataracts, for example, may disrupt vision even in early stages due to their position at the eye’s nodal point.

Symptoms tend to progress gradually, starting with blurry vision and light sensitivity before advancing to halos around lights, faded colors, and monocular double vision. Night driving difficulty is among the most functionally significant warning signs, with the vast majority of bilateral cataract patients reporting impaired nighttime driving ability.

Surgery is generally considered when cataracts limit daily activities, compromise driving safety, or prevent treatment of coexisting eye conditions. Functional vision measures like contrast sensitivity and glare testing may be more meaningful indicators of surgical need than standard acuity charts alone.

Protective strategies, including UV-blocking eyewear, smoking cessation, and glycemic control, may help slow progression for those not yet ready for surgery.

What Is a Cataract and How Does It Affect Your Vision?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens, located behind the iris, that causes light to scatter rather than focus clearly on the retina. This clouding gradually reduces visual quality, affecting clarity, color perception, contrast sensitivity, and the ability to see well in low-light conditions. The sections below cover how cataracts are defined, their global impact, and the specific ways they impair everyday vision.

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a lens opacity that develops when proteins within the crystalline lens break down and clump together, forming cloudy areas that obstruct the passage of light. The lens, which is normally transparent, relies on a precise arrangement of proteins to transmit and focus light onto the retina. As these proteins aggregate over time, the resulting opacity reduces the sharpness and brightness of what you see.

According to a 2020 analysis by the Vision Loss Expert Group of the Global Burden of Disease Study, 17.0 million people were blind and 83.5 million had moderate-to-severe vision impairment due to cataract globally, making it the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide.

How Do Cataracts Affect Vision?

Cataracts affect vision by degrading the quality of light reaching the retina, producing a range of functional impairments that worsen as the opacity grows denser. Common effects include:

• Blurred or dim vision: Objects appear hazy or out of focus even with corrective lenses.
• Reduced contrast sensitivity: Fine details, edges, and depth distinctions become harder to discern.
• Glare and halos: Bright light sources, such as headlights or lamps, scatter inside the eye and produce rings or starbursts around lights.
• Color distortion: The lens may yellow over time, causing colors to appear faded or washed out.
• Night vision decline: Low-light environments become significantly more difficult to navigate.

According to Mayo Clinic (2026), common cataract symptoms include clouded or dim vision, trouble seeing at night, sensitivity to light and glare, and seeing halos around lights. These effects are progressive; early-stage cataracts may cause only mild disturbances, but vision loss can become functionally significant well before the cataract reaches an advanced stage.

What Are the Main Causes of Cataracts?

The main causes of cataracts include aging, systemic health conditions, UV exposure, eye trauma, certain medications, and congenital factors. The following sections cover each cause in detail.

How Does Aging Lead to Cataract Formation?

Aging leads to cataract formation by gradually breaking down proteins within the crystalline lens, causing progressive clouding that impairs light transmission. According to a 2020 study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, the prevalence of any type of cataract has been estimated at 54% in adults aged 60 years or older globally, making it the leading cause of blindness worldwide. As the lens loses its structural integrity over decades, nuclear sclerosis, cortical changes, and posterior subcapsular opacities can each develop. Age-related cataracts rarely signal an underlying disease; they reflect the cumulative metabolic stress the lens accumulates over a lifetime.

Can Diabetes or Other Health Conditions Cause Cataracts?

Yes, diabetes and other health conditions can cause cataracts. Elevated blood glucose alters the osmotic and biochemical environment of the crystalline lens, accelerating protein aggregation and opacity. Beyond diabetes, conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and prolonged inflammatory eye disease are also associated with earlier cataract onset. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Eye Institute, systemic disease management is an important component of reducing cataract risk for affected patients.

How Does UV Exposure Contribute to Cataracts?

UV exposure contributes to cataracts by generating oxidative stress that damages lens proteins, particularly in the cortical layer. Research published by Hiller et al. (1986) in PubMed found that cortical cataracts were more common in women and more often found in locations with increased UV-B radiation counts than either nuclear or posterior subcapsular cataracts. Protective eyewear that blocks UV-B radiation is widely recommended as a preventive measure, particularly for individuals who spend substantial time outdoors.

Can Eye Injuries or Trauma Cause Cataracts?

Yes, eye injuries and trauma can cause cataracts. According to NIH StatPearls (updated 2024), trauma is a common cause of unilateral cataracts in young adults, with blunt trauma typically producing a characteristic rosette-shaped or flower-shaped lens opacity. Penetrating injuries, chemical burns, and radiation exposure may also disrupt lens structure and lead to opacity. Traumatic cataracts are clinically significant because they tend to affect younger patients who would not otherwise be at age-related risk.

Do Certain Medications Increase Your Risk of Cataracts?

Yes, certain medications can increase the risk of cataracts. Long-term corticosteroid use, whether oral, inhaled, or topical, is the most well-documented pharmacological risk factor, typically producing posterior subcapsular opacity. Beyond medications, a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that particulate matter pollution and smoking are significant risk factors for cataracts, with age-standardized disability-adjusted life years attributable to these factors showing a steady downward trend globally from 1990 to 2019. Patients on long-term corticosteroids should discuss lens monitoring with their eye care provider.

Are Some People Born With Cataracts?

Yes, some people are born with cataracts, a condition known as congenital cataracts. According to Medscape (2024), the prevalence of congenital cataracts in the United States has been reported at 1.2 to 6.0 cases per 10,000, with higher rates estimated in developing nations. Congenital cataracts can result from genetic mutations, prenatal infections such as rubella, or metabolic disorders. Early detection and prompt treatment are critical, since untreated lens opacity during visual development can cause permanent amblyopia in the affected eye.

What Are the Different Types of Cataracts?

The different types of cataracts are classified by their location within the crystalline lens. The main categories include nuclear sclerotic, cortical, posterior subcapsular, congenital, and traumatic cataracts, each with distinct characteristics and risk profiles.

Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts

Nuclear sclerotic cataracts are the most common age-related type, forming in the central nucleus of the lens. As the nucleus hardens and yellows over time, light scattering increases and contrast sensitivity decreases. According to NIH StatPearls, nuclear sclerosis is associated with myopia and a secondary increase in refractive index, which can temporarily allow elderly patients to read again without glasses, a phenomenon called “second sight.” This early improvement can mislead patients into delaying evaluation.

Cortical Cataracts

Cortical cataracts form as spoke-like opacities in the lens cortex, the outer layer surrounding the nucleus. These opacities scatter incoming light, causing glare and reduced contrast. According to a 1986 study by Hiller et al. published in PubMed, cortical cataracts were more common in women and more frequently found in regions with higher UV-B radiation exposure than nuclear or posterior subcapsular cataracts, highlighting sun exposure as a modifiable risk factor.

Posterior Subcapsular Cataracts

Posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) develop on the back surface of the lens, directly at the eye’s nodal point. According to NIH StatPearls, PSCs affect vision profoundly even in early stages, often causing significant glare and photophobia because of their precise anatomical position. Patients frequently report worsened vision in bright light and difficulty reading, making PSCs particularly disruptive despite appearing small on clinical examination. This type is commonly associated with corticosteroid use and diabetes.

Congenital Cataracts

Congenital cataracts are lens opacities present at birth or developing in early childhood. According to a 2024 Medscape report, the prevalence in the United States ranges from 1.2 to 6.0 cases per 10,000, with higher rates estimated in developing nations. Early detection is critical, as untreated congenital cataracts can cause amblyopia (lazy eye) and permanent vision loss during the sensitive period of visual development.

Traumatic Cataracts

Traumatic cataracts result from physical injury to the eye, including blunt force, penetrating wounds, chemical exposure, or radiation. They are a leading cause of unilateral cataracts in younger adults. The lens opacity pattern varies by injury type; blunt trauma, for example, often produces a distinctive rosette or flower-shaped opacity. Compared to age-related types, traumatic cataracts can progress unpredictably and may require earlier surgical intervention to preserve useful vision.

What Are the Early Symptoms of Cataracts?

The early symptoms of cataracts include blurry or cloudy vision, faded color perception, light sensitivity, halos around lights, frequent prescription changes, and double vision in one eye. The sections below explain how each symptom develops and what it may feel like day to day.

How Does Blurry or Cloudy Vision Feel With Cataracts?

Blurry or cloudy vision with cataracts feels like looking through a fogged or frosted window, where outlines lose sharpness and fine details become difficult to distinguish. This haziness typically develops gradually, often affecting one eye before the other. Tasks such as reading small print or recognizing faces at a distance may become noticeably harder. According to Blue Fin Vision, 85.9% of people with cataracts in both eyes reported difficulty with nighttime tasks, suggesting that even in early stages, the visual degradation can meaningfully affect daily function.

Why Do Colors Look Faded or Yellowed With Cataracts?

Colors look faded or yellowed with cataracts because the clouding lens filters and distorts wavelengths of light before they reach the retina. According to the National Eye Institute, later symptoms of cataracts include colors that appear faded or yellowed, alongside monocular diplopia and frequent prescription changes. Whites may take on a brownish or yellowish tint, and the vibrancy of blues and greens can diminish noticeably. This color shift often progresses slowly, making it easy to overlook until a significant change has occurred.

Can Cataracts Cause Increased Sensitivity to Light?

Yes, cataracts can cause increased sensitivity to light. As the lens becomes cloudy, light scatters inside the eye rather than focusing cleanly on the retina, producing a diffuse glare that feels uncomfortable or even painful in bright environments. Indoor lighting, oncoming headlights, and sunlight can all trigger this sensitivity. It is one of the more disruptive early symptoms, often prompting individuals to avoid brightly lit spaces or outdoor settings without sunglasses.

How Do Cataracts Cause Halos and Glare at Night?

Cataracts cause halos and glare at night by scattering incoming light as it passes through the clouded lens, creating bright rings or starbursts around light sources. According to Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of cataracts include trouble seeing at night, sensitivity to light and glare, and seeing halos around lights. At night, these effects are amplified because the pupil dilates to admit more light, exposing a larger area of the opaque lens. The result is a visual environment where streetlights, traffic signals, and vehicle headlights all produce distracting halos that reduce contrast and depth perception.

Why Might You Notice Frequent Prescription Changes?

Frequent prescription changes may occur because a growing cataract, particularly a nuclear cataract, alters the refractive index of the lens as it becomes denser. This shift can temporarily improve near vision in some individuals while progressively worsening distance vision in others, causing prescriptions to feel outdated within months. Over time, no corrective lens can fully compensate for the optical irregularities introduced by the cataract, and vision quality continues to decline despite updated eyewear.

Can Cataracts Cause Double Vision in One Eye?

Yes, cataracts can cause double vision in one eye, a condition called monocular diplopia. This occurs when uneven clouding within the lens splits incoming light into multiple focal points, producing a second, overlapping image even when the other eye is closed. The National Eye Institute lists monocular diplopia as a later-stage cataract symptom, typically appearing alongside faded color perception and worsening prescription instability. If double vision resolves when covering one eye but persists in the other, the lens itself is the likely source.

Why Do Cataracts Make Night Driving Difficult?

Cataracts make night driving difficult because the clouded lens scatters incoming light, turning oncoming headlights into blinding halos and reducing the contrast needed to judge distances and lane markings in low-light conditions. According to a 2025 report by Blue Fin Vision, 85.9% of people with cataracts in both eyes reported difficulty driving at night, most commonly due to poor night vision and halos around headlights. This combination of glare, reduced contrast sensitivity, and dimmed overall vision creates a compounding hazard that standard eyeglass correction cannot fully resolve. For many patients, nighttime driving difficulty is the clearest functional signal that cataract progression has moved beyond a minor inconvenience into a genuine safety concern.

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed by an Eye Doctor?

Cataracts are diagnosed by an eye doctor through a comprehensive dilated eye examination that evaluates lens clarity, visual acuity, and overall eye health. The sections below cover the key tests used and what patients can expect during the evaluation.

What Tests Does an Eye Doctor Use to Diagnose Cataracts?

The tests an eye doctor uses to diagnose cataracts include visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, and dilated fundus evaluation. During visual acuity testing, the doctor measures how clearly you see at various distances using a standardized eye chart. The slit-lamp exam allows the clinician to examine the crystalline lens under high magnification, identifying the location, density, and type of lens opacity, whether nuclear, cortical, or posterior subcapsular. Pupil dilation using eye drops widens the pupil, giving a clearer view of the lens and posterior structures. Contrast sensitivity testing may also be performed, since reduced contrast sensitivity often reflects functional impairment that standard acuity tests can miss.

What Happens During a Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam?

A comprehensive dilated eye exam involves several sequential steps that together provide a complete picture of lens and retinal health. According to the 2021 AAO Preferred Practice Pattern, Dr. Kevin M. Miller and colleagues state that evaluation of adult patients with symptomatic cataract must include risk factor assessment and natural history analysis, not acuity alone. The typical exam sequence includes:

• Visual acuity measurement at distance and near distances.
• Slit-lamp biomicroscopy to inspect the anterior segment and lens.
• Pupil dilation using mydriatic drops to examine the lens and retina.
• Intraocular pressure measurement to screen for concurrent glaucoma.
• Retinal evaluation to rule out macular or optic nerve conditions that could affect surgical outcomes.

This multistep process ensures both the cataract diagnosis and any coexisting eye conditions are properly documented before treatment planning begins.

How Do Eye Doctors Assess Functional Vision Loss From Cataracts?

Eye doctors assess functional vision loss from cataracts by measuring contrast sensitivity, glare disability, and quality-of-life impact, rather than relying solely on visual acuity. A Snellen chart reading of 20/40 may still mask significant functional impairment; a patient can test well on a standard chart yet struggle considerably in real-world low-contrast conditions like night driving or reading in dim light. Contrast sensitivity testing and glare testing tools, such as the brightness acuity tester, help quantify disability that standard charts underreport. Functional vision assessment is particularly important because the severity of symptoms, not the appearance of the lens alone, typically guides the recommendation for surgery.

When Should You Consider Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is worth considering when cataracts meaningfully impair your daily function and cannot be managed through updated glasses or other non-surgical measures. The following sections cover the four clearest indicators that surgery may be appropriate.

What if Cataracts Interfere With Daily Activities?

Cataracts interfere with daily activities when lens clouding limits tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, or working at a screen. Surgery is generally recommended at the point where visual impairment reduces independence or quality of life, rather than at a fixed measure of visual acuity. Routine cataract surgery reduces retinal stray light by a factor of 3.24, which is nearly double the improvement seen in visual acuity alone, according to data published in Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today. This matters because functional vision, not just an acuity number, determines how well a person can carry out everyday tasks. When glasses no longer compensate adequately and daily life is disrupted, surgery becomes the most practical path forward.

What if Night Glare Makes Driving Unsafe?

Night glare may signal that cataracts have reached a surgically significant stage. According to a 2006 study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, cataract surgery results in marked improvements in driving performance directly related to concurrent improvements in contrast sensitivity. Crash risk rises substantially with cataract-related contrast loss, and driving safety is one of the strongest functional reasons to act. Dr. George H. H. Beiko, writing in Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, notes that “functional measures of visual performance are better indicators of driving ability than visual acuity, and they should be used to assess patients’ need for cataract surgery.” If night driving has become unsafe, that functional decline is a clear clinical signal worth discussing with an eye surgeon.

What if Vision Cannot Be Corrected With New Glasses?

Vision that cannot be corrected with new glasses may indicate that cataract progression has advanced beyond the threshold where optical aids are effective. Frequent prescription changes are a recognized symptom of cataract development, but once the lens opacity itself is the limiting factor, no prescription update will resolve the underlying problem. At that point, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation offer the only reliable path to restored vision. Surgery timing should be individualized, balancing functional impact against procedural risk in consultation with a qualified surgeon.

What if Cataracts Prevent Treatment of Another Eye Condition?

Cataracts can prevent treatment of another eye condition by blocking adequate visualization of the retina or optic nerve, making it impossible to monitor or manage conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration. In these cases, cataract removal is indicated not only to restore vision but to enable the continued management of a co-existing condition. While nutritional and antioxidant strategies are being evaluated for lens cataract prevention, a 2019 review published in PubMed Central notes that evidence remains mixed, reinforcing that surgery is currently the definitive intervention once cataracts obstruct necessary eye care.

What Are the Possible Risks of Cataract Surgery?

The possible risks of cataract surgery include a range of complications, most of which are uncommon and treatable when identified early. The sections below cover the most clinically relevant risks patients should discuss with their eye care provider before proceeding.

What Complications Can Occur During Cataract Surgery?

Complications during cataract surgery can occur, though serious intraoperative events are relatively rare. The most significant intraoperative risk is posterior capsule rupture (PCR), which involves a tear in the thin membrane supporting the lens. According to a 2025 meta-analysis published in PubMed Central, the pooled PCR rate in Asian high myopic patients was 2.01% (95% CI, 0.89%–4.44%). Other intraoperative risks include:

• Vitreous loss, which may require additional surgical management
• Zonular dehiscence, where the fibers holding the lens weaken or break
• Corneal endothelial damage from surgical instruments or ultrasound energy
• Incomplete lens fragment removal, requiring follow-up intervention

Patients with high myopia, dense cataracts, or prior eye surgery may face elevated intraoperative risk, making pre-surgical risk assessment especially important.

What Are the Most Common Complications After Cataract Surgery?

The most common complications after cataract surgery include posterior capsule opacification (PCO), elevated intraocular pressure, and residual refractive error. PCO, sometimes called a “secondary cataract,” occurs when residual lens epithelial cells migrate across the posterior capsule and cloud vision weeks to months after surgery. It is the single most frequent postoperative complication and is effectively treated with a quick, in-office YAG laser capsulotomy. Other postoperative complications include:

• Cystoid macular edema (CME), a swelling of the central retina
• Corneal edema, causing temporary blurred vision
• Intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation or decentration
• Endophthalmitis, a rare but serious intraocular infection requiring urgent treatment

Most of these complications respond well to prompt medical or laser management when caught early.

Is Cataract Surgery Generally Safe?

Cataract surgery is generally considered one of the safest elective surgical procedures performed today. Data from the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery, published in NEJM Catalyst (2024), demonstrated that outpatient cataract surgery carries no higher complication rate than inpatient surgery, supporting its use as a routine, low-risk outpatient procedure. The overall serious complication rate remains low across large registry populations. Risk is further reduced when patients are properly selected and evaluated preoperatively. For most individuals with symptomatic cataracts, the functional and visual benefits of surgery substantially outweigh the risks, making watchful delay often the greater clinical concern.

Who May Be a Good Candidate for Cataract Surgery?

Good candidates for cataract surgery are typically people whose cataracts meaningfully reduce quality of life, limit daily function, or create safety risks that cannot be resolved with updated glasses or other non-surgical measures.

Candidacy is best evaluated by an eye care provider who can assess functional vision, not just visual acuity alone. According to a 2013 report in Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, despite good visual acuity, more than three-quarters (78%) of subjects with cataract had disability glare that made them unfit to drive. This finding highlights a critical point: standard acuity tests can miss the functional impairment that cataracts actually cause.

Common indicators that surgery may be appropriate include:

• Difficulty with daily activities such as reading, cooking, or recognizing faces, even with current glasses.
• Night driving that feels unsafe due to glare, halos, or reduced contrast sensitivity around headlights.
• Vision that cannot be improved with a new eyeglass prescription.
• Lens opacity that prevents adequate examination or treatment of another eye condition, such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.

Functional vision measures, including contrast sensitivity and glare testing, are often more meaningful indicators of surgical need than a Snellen chart reading alone.

What Can You Do to Help Slow Cataract Progression?

Several lifestyle and protective measures may help slow cataract progression, though none can reverse lens clouding once it begins. The strategies below cover UV protection, nutrition, smoking, and systemic disease management.

Can UV-Blocking Sunglasses Help Slow Cataracts?

Yes, UV-blocking sunglasses may help slow cataract progression by reducing cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure to the crystalline lens. Cortical cataracts, in particular, are more common in areas with higher UV-B radiation counts, according to research published by Hiller et al. (1986) in PubMed. Look for lenses rated UV400 or labeled 100% UVA/UVB protection. Wide-brimmed hats add a second layer of defense during peak sunlight hours.

Can Diet and Antioxidants Protect the Lens?

Nutritional strategies, including dietary and topical antioxidant interventions, are being evaluated for their potential role in slowing lens cataract development, though a 2019 review published in PubMed Central notes that evidence remains mixed. Foods rich in vitamins C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin are commonly studied for lens health. While no supplement has been confirmed to prevent cataracts outright, maintaining a nutrient-dense diet supports overall ocular health and is a low-risk strategy worth discussing with your eye care provider.

Does Quitting Smoking Reduce Cataract Risk?

Yes, quitting smoking may reduce cataract risk, as particulate matter pollution and smoking are recognized significant risk factors for cataract development, according to a 2024 study in Frontiers in Public Health. Smoking introduces oxidative stress directly to the lens, accelerating protein aggregation associated with clouding. From a practical standpoint, smoking cessation is one of the most modifiable risk factors available, making it a high-priority lifestyle change for anyone concerned about long-term lens health.

Does Managing Diabetes Help Protect Against Cataracts?

Managing diabetes may help protect against cataracts. According to the New England Journal of Medicine (DCCT/EDIC Research Group, 2015), intensive diabetes therapy in Type 1 patients reduced the risk of cataract surgery by 48% over a long-term follow-up period compared to conventional therapy. Keeping blood glucose levels consistently controlled reduces the metabolic stress placed on the lens. For patients with diabetes, tight glycemic management is one of the most evidence-supported protective strategies available.

With protective strategies in mind, preparing for an informed conversation with your surgeon is the natural next step.

How Can Surgeon-Reviewed Resources Help You Prepare?

Surgeon-reviewed resources help you prepare by translating complex clinical evidence into clear, actionable guidance. The following sections cover what Eye Surgery Today offers and the key takeaways from this article.

Can Eye Surgery Today Help You Understand Your Options?

Yes, Eye Surgery Today can help you understand your options through surgeon-reviewed educational content built on peer-reviewed clinical evidence. The platform covers cataract causes, symptom progression, surgical timing, and lens selection in accessible language, without medical jargon.

According to a 2013 analysis published in Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, functional measures of visual performance, such as contrast sensitivity and disability glare, are better indicators of surgical need than visual acuity alone. Eye Surgery Today translates precisely this kind of specialist-level insight for patients who would otherwise never encounter it.

For anyone uncertain about whether their symptoms warrant surgery, having access to surgeon-reviewed guidance before a clinical appointment can meaningfully improve the quality of the conversation with an eye care provider.

What Are the Key Takeaways About Cataract Causes and Symptoms?

The key takeaways about cataract causes and symptoms are that cataracts develop gradually from multiple causes, produce recognizable symptoms, and are highly treatable when identified at the right time. The core points to remember are:

• Cataracts form when the crystalline lens becomes clouded, most often through aging, UV exposure, diabetes, trauma, or certain medications.
• Early symptoms include blurry vision, increased glare, halos around lights, faded colors, and frequent prescription changes.
• Night driving difficulty is among the most functionally disruptive symptoms, and it often signals that surgery is worth discussing.
• Surgery timing should be based on how much cataracts affect daily life, not on a specific visual acuity threshold.
• Surgeon-reviewed resources, like those available at Eye Surgery Today, can help you approach that decision with confidence.