Cataracts
Cataracts — Symptoms, Stages & Surgery
Cataracts are clouding of the natural lens — causing progressive vision blur, glare, and color changes. Surgery restores vision in virtually all cases.
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Signs & Symptoms
- Cloudy, blurry, or foggy vision
- Glare from headlights or sunlight
- Halos around lights
- Colors appearing faded or yellowed
- Frequent prescription changes
- Reduced night vision
What Causes This?
- Age-related lens protein changes (most common)
- UV exposure — a lifetime of sun exposure
- Diabetes
- Steroid use
- Trauma to the eye
- Congenital cataracts
24.4M
Americans have cataracts
99%
Surgical success rate
Treatment Options
Observation
Early cataracts not affecting function are monitored with regular exams.
Updated Glasses
Optimizing prescription compensates for early cataract vision changes.
Cataract Surgery (Phacoemulsification)
Removal of the clouded lens and replacement with an artificial IOL — one of the safest and most successful surgeries in medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my vision be completely clear after cataract surgery?
Most patients achieve significantly improved vision. Multifocal and extended depth of focus IOLs can reduce dependency on glasses.
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Concerned About Your Eye Health?
Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Dr. Kentaro Yamada, M.D. at Hillcrest Eye Care.