What is a Cataract?

The lens of your eye is a transparent, biconvex structure that lies behind your iris and pupil. Along with the cornea, its role is to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. It works a bit like a camera lens and, by changing shape, the lens alters the focal distance of the eye so that the eye can focus on things clearly that are both close up and far away.

The lens itself is mostly made up of water and proteins. The proteins are arranged in a very specific way which keeps the lens clear and allows light to pass through it. However, as we age, some of these proteins may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is the beginnings of a senile cataract. At this point the cataract is referred to as an incipient cataract.

Because the lens is critical in the focusing process and the clarity with which we see things, any changes to it can have a dramatic effect on your ability to see clearly. In the early stages of development a cataract may be very small and may not interfere with your vision at all. However, gradually over time more and more of your lens will become affected - at this point your cataract will be referred to as an immature cataract. As the cataract grows and your lens becomes increasingly cloudy, your vision will become ever more blurred. It’s a bit like looking through frosted glass all the time. Eventually, the entire lens can become cloudy (a mature cataract) and all functional vision will be lost.

Although for many cataracts develop slowly, over months or even years, for some they can develop in just a matter of a few weeks. One or both eyes can be affected. It is important to see your optometrist to get a proper diagnosis and once diagnosed you can consider treatment options including cataract eye drops.

Resources -  What is a Cataract?