Cataracts
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Cataracts occurs when the natural lens of the eye, located behind the iris and pupil, clouds up and makes it extremely difficult to see. A cataract hardly effects your vision at first because it starts out very small, causing objects to be a little blurry or slightly bright and glaring.
You can put off cataract surgery for a little while by getting a new eyeglass prescription, using a magnifier or adjusting lighting. Surgery will eventually be necessary to completely remove the cataract. Cataract surgery is performed frequently, actually the most in the U.S., and is very successful.
Healing time for cataract surgery is about three to four weeks. Be sure to follow the instructions your eye doctor gives, as they are specific to each patient.
An intraocular lens (IOL) replaces the once clouded lens. Various types and combinations of IOLs help correct for myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia and can block ultraviolet and blue light rays. Therefore having cataract surgery can potentially alleviate the need for corrective eyewear such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.
For more information on cataracts and cataract surgery, visit AllAboutVision.com's Consumer Guide to Cataracts.