About Cataracts

Cataracts are a vision disorder primarily associated with aging eyes. As our eyes begin to mature, the lens located behind the iris, or colored part of the eye, begins to become cloudy. Sometimes the cataract grows very slowly and the effects are hardly noticeable to the patient. Others grow rather quickly and patients complain of blurred or milky vision. Although not visible from the outside, patients with advanced cataracts show many symptoms of their disease. Often they mistake blue colors for green or reds for orange. That’s because cataracts at maturity have a yellowish tone so patients feel like they are seeing through a yellow film. Other symptoms include a reduction in vision. Seeing street signs, especially at night is difficult and glare from oncoming cars is enhanced. 

The lens of your eye is similar in shape to an M&M. The candy coating is similar to the lens and the chocolate center is similar to the chocolate inside. In order to see clearly, the cataract (the chocolate in the M&M)  must be removed. Surgery is the only cure for cataracts.