Eye Condition

Cataract

A clouding of the eye's natural lens that develops gradually, most often with age, and is fully treatable with surgery.

Noticing early changes in your vision?

Glare from headlights, needing brighter light to read, or colors looking faded can all be early cataract symptoms. An evaluation tells you how advanced it is and what to expect next.

Already told you have a cataract?

If a cataract has been diagnosed, the next question is usually when to have surgery and which lens suits your lifestyle -- both are worth discussing in detail before you decide.

What Is It?

A cataract develops when the eye’s natural lens, normally clear, becomes progressively clouded. This most often happens gradually with age, though diabetes, prolonged UV exposure, smoking, and certain medications can accelerate it.

Cataracts cannot be reversed with drops or exercises — the only effective treatment is surgical removal of the clouded lens, replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The good news is that this is one of the most successful and commonly performed surgeries in ophthalmology, with most patients experiencing a dramatic improvement in vision within a day.

Risk Factors

Age -- the most common risk factor, typically after 60
Diabetes
Prolonged unprotected UV exposure
Smoking
Prior eye injury or eye surgery
Long-term steroid use

Symptoms

Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision
Increased glare from lights, especially while driving at night
Needing brighter light to read
Colors appearing faded or yellowed
Frequent changes in glasses prescription

Treatment

Monitoring: Early, mild cataracts that aren't yet affecting daily life can often be monitored with regular follow-up.
Phacoemulsification Surgery: The standard treatment once a cataract affects vision meaningfully -- a stitchless, day-care procedure with rapid recovery.
Lens Selection: Monofocal, multifocal/trifocal, or toric IOLs are chosen based on your lifestyle, astigmatism, and distance/near vision priorities.

Learn more about Cataract Surgery →

Related Conditions

Related Condition

Posterior Capsular Opacification

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cataract surgery painful?

No. Cataract surgery is performed under topical anesthesia (numbing eye drops), so the procedure itself is painless. Most patients feel only mild pressure during the surgery.

How long does cataract surgery recovery take?

Most patients notice a dramatic improvement in vision within 24 hours. Full healing of the eye typically takes a few weeks, during which you'll use prescribed eye drops and attend a couple of follow-up visits.

Which intraocular lens (IOL) should I choose?

It depends on your lifestyle and visual priorities. Monofocal lenses give excellent distance vision but usually still require reading glasses. Multifocal or trifocal lenses reduce dependence on glasses across distances. Toric lenses additionally correct astigmatism. This is best decided after a detailed discussion of your daily visual needs.

Book a Cataract Evaluation

Schedule a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Rajeswari. Choose your preferred time and secure your slot instantly.

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