Updated March 01, 2015.

Definition: A cataract is an eye condition where the clear lens of the eye becomes clouded. The severity of cataracts begins as slightly cloudy and progresses slowly over time to opaque. Without treatment, the condition typically results in blindness.

Patients typically develop a cataract in each eye, but the average patient experiences clouding in one eye first, rather than both at the same time.

The majority of cataracts are age related, forming in the elderly, however, cataracts can also be caused by trauma, prescription medication such as steroids, or can be present at birth.

Surgery is the most effective treatment for cataracts but drops that may slow the progression of the clouding are available for patients who are not surgical candidates.

There is reason to believe that radiation may play a role in the formation of cataracts, so prevention of cataracts may be possible with regular use of sunglasses that block ultraviolet light.

Also Known As: cataract, senile cataract, senile cataracts,

Common Misspellings: cateract, catoract, catarac, catarack, cataracks, catorack,

Examples: The patient started looking for an ophthalmologist to perform surgery for his cataracts.