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What Are the Phases of Cataracts?

A cataract condition is characterized by the clouding of the eye's natural lens. Age-related cataracts account for the vast majority of cases, and the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center reports that over 90 percent of people have a cataract by age 65.

  1. Time Frame

    • According to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, most cataracts develop very slowly, and it may take years for a patient's vision to be noticeably affected by its presence. Symptoms will be detected much sooner if the cataract is caused by traumatic injury to the eye, and not the natural aging process.

    Formation

    • The eye's natural lens, which is composed of water and protein, functions just like a camera lens. When the lens' protein cells begin to clump together, a "cloud" forms on the eye's lens. A cataract affects how light passes through the eye, thereby clouding one's vision. This condition is similar to how a smudge affects vision through a camera lens.

    Nearsightedness

    • In its early stages, a cataract formation will affect the ability to see distant objects. Glasses or a change in eye-wear prescription will correct this visual impairment during the cataract's first stage.

    Blurry Vision

    • As the proteins continue to gather on the eye's natural lens, the patient will experience blurry and cloudy vision. Nuclear cataracts (the most common type) form in the center of the lens. This increases vision deficiency, since focusing on objects makes them appear like "impressionist paintings," as described by AllAboutVision.com.

    Glare

    • Light sensitivity evolves into more intense glare problems as the cataract condition progresses. Glare problems include "ghost" vision (a white glow around lighted objects), double vision, and starbursts.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Eye doctors can detect cataract formation during regular eye exams. Cataract surgery is a common treatment that ends the need to continuously intensify eye-wear prescriptions. Cataract surgery involves replacing the natural eye lens with a lens implant.

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