Cataracts: Leading Cause of Blindness–Here Are Its Early Signs

Cataracts are a common eye condition among older adults, gradually clouding the lens.

A cloudy lens caused by cataracts scatters light, making vision appear blurry or hazy. Illustration by The Epoch Times, Shutterstock

More than 20 million Americans aged 40 and older are affected by cataracts in one or both eyes. By age 75, nearly half of all Americans will develop the condition.

Cataracts are a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens—like looking through a foggy window that slowly becomes more blurred over time. This cloudiness blocks light from reaching the back of the eye, which is why vision becomes less clear.