What is a cataract?

Part of The Retina Clinic series with Professor Paulo Eduardo Stanga.

Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions, particularly as we get older. In this video, our specialist explains what cataracts are, how they develop, and why they can affect your vision.

Video transcript

What Is a Cataract?

A common diagnosis seen in eye clinics is a cataract.

A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy or opaque. The lens sits at the front of the eye, just behind the pupil – the opening in the centre of the iris.

The iris works much like the diaphragm of a camera, controlling the amount of light that enters the eye. Behind the pupil, the lens helps focus light onto the retina, allowing us to see clearly.

When we are young, this lens is completely transparent. As we age, it is normal for the lens to gradually become less clear. In some people, this clouding develops earlier or progresses more quickly than in others. When the clouding becomes significant enough to affect vision, it is known as a cataract.

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