Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Cataracts on June 5, 2025
Prevent Blindness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and resources on the leading causes of blindness in the U.S., has designated June as Cataract Awareness Month. This designation creates an opportunity for Americans to learn more about one of the leading causes of age-related blindness.
Cataracts affect the vision of nearly one in six adults over the age of 40, and almost everyone will develop them as they continue to age. So, what can you do about cataracts, and how can you be proactive about protecting your eyesight?
Keep reading to learn more about why Cataract Awareness Month is important to your vision.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when proteins and fibers within the natural lens of the eye break down and clump together. As these clumps collect, they cover more and more of the lens, preventing light from reaching the retina and impairing vision.
Cataracts usually develop slowly, and it can take years for them to progress to the stage where they start to affect vision. Because symptoms can be mild in the condition’s early stages, cataracts are often first diagnosed at a routine eye exam.
As they continue to worsen, you may experience symptoms like:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Poor night vision
- Double vision
- Glare
- Halos around lights
- Changes in color perception
- Frequent changes to your prescription
How are Cataracts Diagnosed?
Cataracts can be diagnosed during a comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist at EyeHealth Northwest. During an exam, several tests are used to confirm the presence of cataracts, including a visual acuity test to measure clarity, a slit-lap exam to view the internal structures of the eye, and a retinal exam to check the back of the eye.
The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. During cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear, artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
When Do I Need Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is usually recommended when vision impairment caused by cataracts starts to impact your daily activities and overall quality of life. If glasses and contacts are no longer able to improve your vision after a cataract diagnosis, it may be time to consider surgery.
There’s no specific stage or age at which surgery is mandatory. Deciding to get cataract surgery often depends on your personal vision needs.
For example, if you frequently drive at night, glare from headlights or streetlamps could make driving dangerous, and you might want to have surgery sooner rather than later. Your eye doctor will closely monitor the development of your cataracts and help you decide when the time is right for cataract surgery.
How Will Cataract Surgery Improve My Vision?
Cataract surgery improves your vision by restoring clarity. When the clouded natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear intraocular lens (IOL), it allows light to reach the retina properly, resulting in sharper, brighter, and more colorful vision.
Your choice of IOL can further improve your vision after cataract surgery. While a standard monofocal IOL can improve vision at a single distance, premium IOLs may be able to offer you glasses-free vision at multiple distances.
Protect Your Vision as You Age
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of age-related blindness. You can help ensure the long-term clarity of your vision by learning more about cataracts during Cataract Awareness Month and attending regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist to ensure signs of cataracts are spotted as early as possible.
Do you think you may have cataracts? Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today to be proactive about your eye health and vision!
