Cataract: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Cataract?
An ophthalmologist, a medical doctor for eye care and eye surgery, diagnoses and treats cataracts. An optometrist can also spot early signs during an eye exam and refer you on. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye. The lens is the clear part of the eye that helps focus light. With age, proteins in the lens start to break down and clump together. That clump makes the cloudy area. Over time, cataracts can make vision blurry, hazy, or less colorful, and they can lead to vision loss.
Cataracts are very common. More than half of all Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. You can get a cataract in one eye or both eyes, but a cataract cannot spread from one eye to the other.
Symptoms
Cataracts develop slowly and painlessly. Early on, you may notice nothing at all. As they grow, you may have:
- Cloudy or blurry vision.
- Colors that look faded.
- Trouble seeing well at night.
- Lamps, sunlight, or headlights that seem too bright, or halos around lights.
- Double vision.
- Frequent changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription.
Causes and who gets it
Most cataracts happen because of normal changes in the eyes as you get older. Your risk also goes up if you have health problems like diabetes. Smoking raises it. So does drinking too much alcohol. Cataracts can also run in families. Other causes include an eye injury, eye surgery, radiation, and taking steroid medicines. An eye injury can also cause a cataract.
How doctors diagnose it
An eye doctor can check for cataracts as part of a dilated eye exam. Drops widen your pupil, the black opening that lets light in. Then the doctor looks at your lens. A standard eye exam helps too. So does a slit-lamp exam. That test uses a special microscope with a bright light to look at the front of your eye. Other tests are rarely needed, except to check for other causes of poor vision. If you are age 60 or older, the National Eye Institute advises a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.
Treatment
Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract. But you may not need it right away. Early on, new glasses, brighter lights, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses may help. Surgery is usually suggested when the cataract gets in the way of daily activities. These include reading, driving, or watching TV. Most people do not need to rush. Waiting usually will not harm your eyes.
In surgery, the doctor removes the cloudy lens. A clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL, takes its place. It is one of the most common and safest operations in the United States. About 9 out of 10 people see better afterwards. Some research links cataract surgery to a lower risk of dementia, but more research is needed.
When to see a doctor
Call your eye care professional if you have vision loss, worse night vision, or new problems with glare. These can also be signs of other eye problems. After cataract surgery, call your eye doctor right away for certain problems. These include vision loss, bad pain that will not go away, a very red eye, or many new floaters. Floaters are small dark spots or squiggly lines that drift across your vision.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. For cataracts, that kind of doctor can see you for regular check-ups, send you to an eye doctor for a dilated eye exam, and help control health problems like diabetes that raise cataract risk.
Common questions
Can cataracts be prevented?
You cannot fully prevent the cataracts that come with age, but you can protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses and a brimmed hat in the sun, wear protective eyewear during risky activities, do not smoke, and eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens. Controlling diseases such as diabetes also helps.
Do I need surgery as soon as I am told I have a cataract?
Usually not. Cataracts usually do not harm the eye, so you can have surgery when you and your eye doctor decide it is right for you. Surgery is usually recommended when you cannot do normal activities like driving or reading, even with glasses.
What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common, safe, and effective operations in the United States, but risks exist. They include swelling, bleeding, and infection. They also include vision loss or double vision, unusual eye pressure changes, and retinal detachment. That means the layer at the back of the eye pulls out of place. Some people later get a cloudy scar tissue called a secondary cataract. A laser can fix it.
Sources
- National Eye Institute - Cataracts
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Cataract - adult
- National Eye Institute - Cataract Surgery
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
