The lens of the eye, which lies behind the pupil and iris, works like a camera lens. It is responsible for focusing light onto the retina, producing sharp and clear images.

The lens also adjusts the focus of your eyes. It helps you to see clearly both up close or far away. The lens is contained in a sealed capsule or bag. It is made mostly of protein and water.

The protein is arranged accurately in order to let the light rays pass through it. It keeps the lens clear and focuses the rays onto the retina. But as we age, the old cells die and become trapped within the capsule.

Overtime, the cells accumulate and some protein may clump together. It causes a small area of the lens to start to cloud which blocks light from reaching the retina. . It makes images look fuzzy or blurred, and makes harder to see.

This clouding of the lens or its surrounding transparent membrane by plaque build up, which obstructs the passage of light upon the retina, is defined as cataract. It will greatly affect your sight.

Cataracts are very common among older individuals. These are the natural result of aging and the leading causes of visual loss among adults ages 60 and above.

Based on the studies, most individuals start to develop lens clouding after they reach the age 60 years.

More than 50 percent of Americans aged 65 and above have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Cataracts usually develop very slowly. They cause no pain and don't disturb your eyesight at an early stage.

During the initial stage of cataracts, the cloudiness may only affect a little part of the lens of your eyes. Until it grows larger overtime, it portends to eventually interfere with your vision.

Most sufferers of cataracts may develop the conditions in both eyes. Clouding in one side of the eye may be worse than the other. It cannot also spread from one eye to the other.

The common symptoms of the cataracts may include the characteristics that follow hereunder.

The victim is not able to see well especially at night. There is the occurrence of blurry, fuzzy, dimmed, or clouded vision.

The eyes become sensitive to glare and bright light. The eyes get a yellowing shade or fading of colors in acuity of perception. Double vision could result in one eye. Frequent prescription in your eye wear is a common plight.

In most cases, the causes of the clouding of the lens of the eyes due to cataracts are unknown. But some factors like, eye injuries, certain medications, diseases such as diabetes and alcoholism are contributing elements.

Other inflammatory and metabolic disorders may cause the development of your cataracts. Other causes of cataracts have been traced to special causes below.

A lot of them are age related. Hereditary natures count also. You may have a family history of cataracts.

There are of course the Congenital Cataracts. The cataracts can be transmitted to a baby during pregnancy. This is especially true when a mother has an infection, such as German measles.

Don't discount traumatic cataracts. Cataracts may follow after an injury of the eye, either quickly or sometimes years later. Secondary cataracts can be problematic. Cataracts could be linked to other health problems, such as diabetes. It could also form after surgery for other eye problems. Glaucoma is one example.

It can also develop after using steroid. Ill effects from extraneous sources similar to radiation cataract can also be a culprit. These cataracts can develop after exposure to radiation.

Other causes may occur. Cataracts may follow after excessive exposure to sunlight (UV light), alcohol, or smoke.

In an early stage, eyeglasses, brighter lighting, anti glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help you deal with your vision problems. Surgery is also recommended during the advance stage of cataracts.

It involves the removal of your cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. You are so fortunate because cataract removal is considered as one of the safest, most common, and most effective surgical procedures.