&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;237&quot; data-end=&quot;305&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Cataracts? (Why Does Everything Look Cloudy?)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;307&quot; data-end=&quot;442&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Think of your eye like a camera. Inside that camera is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;364&quot; data-end=&quot;378&quot;&gt;clear lens&lt;/strong&gt; that helps focus light so you can see sharp, colorful images.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;444&quot; data-end=&quot;581&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now imagine that camera lens slowly becoming cloudy &amp;mdash; like a bathroom mirror after a hot shower. That&amp;rsquo;s basically what a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;565&quot; data-end=&quot;577&quot;&gt;cataract&lt;/strong&gt; is.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;583&quot; data-end=&quot;715&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A cataract happens when the normally clear lens of your eye becomes cloudy or blurry. This cloudiness can make your vision look:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;719&quot; data-end=&quot;726&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Faded&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;729&quot; data-end=&quot;736&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Foggy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;739&quot; data-end=&quot;744&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Dim&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;747&quot; data-end=&quot;758&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Yellowish&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;761&quot; data-end=&quot;808&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Or like you&amp;rsquo;re looking through a dirty window&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;810&quot; data-end=&quot;979&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cataracts usually develop &lt;strong data-start=&quot;836&quot; data-end=&quot;846&quot;&gt;slowly&lt;/strong&gt;, so you might not notice changes at first. But over time, reading, driving at night, or recognizing faces can become more difficult.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;810&quot; data-end=&quot;979&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;986&quot; data-end=&quot;1017&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Do Cataracts Happen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1019&quot; data-end=&quot;1053&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The most common reason? &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1043&quot; data-end=&quot;1053&quot;&gt;Aging.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1055&quot; data-end=&quot;1224&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;As we get older, the proteins in the lens of the eye can break down and clump together. When that happens, they form cloudy areas &amp;mdash; and voil&amp;agrave;, a cataract begins to form.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1226&quot; data-end=&quot;1290&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;But aging isn&amp;rsquo;t the only cause. Cataracts can also be linked to:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1294&quot; data-end=&quot;1304&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1307&quot; data-end=&quot;1316&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Smoking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1319&quot; data-end=&quot;1342&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Excessive alcohol use&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1345&quot; data-end=&quot;1376&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Long-term steroid medications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1379&quot; data-end=&quot;1413&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Previous eye injuries or surgery&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1416&quot; data-end=&quot;1449&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Too much sun exposure (UV rays)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1452&quot; data-end=&quot;1468&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Family history&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1471&quot; data-end=&quot;1491&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Radiation exposure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1494&quot; data-end=&quot;1558&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rarely, babies can even be born with them (congenital cataracts)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1560&quot; data-end=&quot;1639&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Basically, anything that stresses or damages the lens over time can contribute.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1560&quot; data-end=&quot;1639&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1646&quot; data-end=&quot;1677&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Early Signs to Watch For&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1679&quot; data-end=&quot;1767&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cataracts don&amp;rsquo;t usually hurt &amp;mdash; they&amp;rsquo;re quiet and sneaky. But here are some common clues:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1771&quot; data-end=&quot;1796&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Blurry or cloudy vision&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1799&quot; data-end=&quot;1824&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Trouble seeing at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1827&quot; data-end=&quot;1859&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sensitivity to light and glare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1862&quot; data-end=&quot;1892&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Seeing &amp;ldquo;halos&amp;rdquo; around lights&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1895&quot; data-end=&quot;1927&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Colors looking faded or yellow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1930&quot; data-end=&quot;1962&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Needing brighter light to read&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1965&quot; data-end=&quot;2007&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Frequent changes in glasses prescription&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2010&quot; data-end=&quot;2036&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Double vision in one eye&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2038&quot; data-end=&quot;2143&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If you&amp;rsquo;ve ever thought, &amp;ldquo;Why do headlights look so blinding lately?&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; it might be worth getting checked.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2038&quot; data-end=&quot;2143&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2150&quot; data-end=&quot;2228&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Happens Next? (Diagnosis, Treatment &amp;amp; When to See a Doctor)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2230&quot; data-end=&quot;2288&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Good news:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Cataracts are very common &amp;mdash; and very treatable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2230&quot; data-end=&quot;2288&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2295&quot; data-end=&quot;2330&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2332&quot; data-end=&quot;2412&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;An eye doctor can detect cataracts with a simple eye exam. This may include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2416&quot; data-end=&quot;2432&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Vision testing&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2435&quot; data-end=&quot;2476&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Checking how your pupils react to light&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2479&quot; data-end=&quot;2540&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A slit-lamp exam (a special microscope to look at your eye)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2543&quot; data-end=&quot;2575&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Examining the back of your eye&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2577&quot; data-end=&quot;2612&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These tests are painless and quick.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2577&quot; data-end=&quot;2612&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2619&quot; data-end=&quot;2661&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Can Cataracts Go Away on Their Own?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2663&quot; data-end=&quot;2718&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Unfortunately, no. Cataracts don&amp;rsquo;t reverse naturally.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2720&quot; data-end=&quot;2772&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In the early stages, you might manage symptoms with:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2776&quot; data-end=&quot;2794&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Stronger glasses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2797&quot; data-end=&quot;2816&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Brighter lighting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2819&quot; data-end=&quot;2842&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Anti-glare sunglasses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2845&quot; data-end=&quot;2864&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Magnifying lenses&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2866&quot; data-end=&quot;2982&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;But if cataracts begin interfering with daily life &amp;mdash; like driving, reading, or working &amp;mdash; surgery may be recommended.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2866&quot; data-end=&quot;2982&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2989&quot; data-end=&quot;3027&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cataract Surgery: What to Expect&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3029&quot; data-end=&quot;3113&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgeries performed worldwide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3115&quot; data-end=&quot;3136&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;During the procedure:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3140&quot; data-end=&quot;3168&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The cloudy lens is removed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3171&quot; data-end=&quot;3252&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s replaced with a clear artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3254&quot; data-end=&quot;3350&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The surgery is usually quick, done as an outpatient procedure, and recovery is typically smooth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3352&quot; data-end=&quot;3418&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most people notice &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3371&quot; data-end=&quot;3399&quot;&gt;clearer, brighter vision&lt;/strong&gt; shortly afterward.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3352&quot; data-end=&quot;3418&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3425&quot; data-end=&quot;3461&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When Should You See a Doctor?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3463&quot; data-end=&quot;3495&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Book an eye check if you notice:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3499&quot; data-end=&quot;3524&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Blurry or cloudy vision&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3527&quot; data-end=&quot;3556&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty driving at night&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3559&quot; data-end=&quot;3589&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Increasing light sensitivity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3592&quot; data-end=&quot;3615&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sudden vision changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3618&quot; data-end=&quot;3633&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Double vision&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3635&quot; data-end=&quot;3674&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;And seek urgent care if you experience:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3677&quot; data-end=&quot;3694&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sudden eye pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3697&quot; data-end=&quot;3734&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Severe headache with vision changes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3737&quot; data-end=&quot;3760&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sudden loss of vision&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3767&quot; data-end=&quot;3785&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;The Takeaway&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3787&quot; data-end=&quot;3897&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cataracts are extremely common &amp;mdash; especially as we age &amp;mdash; but they don&amp;rsquo;t have to permanently cloud your world.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3899&quot; data-end=&quot;4032&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;With regular eye exams and proper treatment when needed, most people regain clear, sharp vision and get back to doing what they love.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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