What Does a Cataract Look Like? Signs, Impact, and Management

Discover what cataracts look like, their symptoms, progression, visual effects, and how to manage them effectively.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Discover what cataracts look like, their symptoms, progression, visual effects, and how to manage them effectively.

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision impairment worldwide, especially in older adults. Understanding what cataracts look like—both when viewed externally and from the perspective of the person affected—is crucial for early detection and effective management. This article explores the appearance of cataracts, their effects on vision, different types, symptoms, risk factors, causes, and available treatment options.

How Does a Cataract Appear?

Externally, cataracts may not be visible to the naked eye in the early stages. The lens of the eye, which is normally clear, gradually becomes cloudy or opaque as a cataract develops. In advanced cases, someone looking at the affected eye may notice a visible milky or grayish area within the pupil, but most early cataracts are invisible from an outside view.

Early cataracts: Typically undetectable without specialized ophthalmic equipment.
Progressed cataracts: May cause the lens to appear cloudy, yellowish, or gray.
Mature cataracts: Pupils may seem milky white or even yellow-brown in color due to pronounced lens opacification.

Eye specialists use a slit lamp (a type of microscope) or similar ophthalmic devices to examine the lens and clearly identify cataracts before they are outwardly visible.

How Does Vision Change with a Cataract?

The dominant sign of a cataract is the progressive clouding of vision, which can feel like looking through a frosted window, fog, or a filmy layer over the eye. The changes occur gradually, though in rare cases, symptoms can develop more rapidly.

Blurry or cloudy vision: This is typically the earliest and most common symptom. It can affect one or both eyes, often starting subtly and increasing over time.
Colors appear faded: Colors may seem less vibrant—the world can appear duller, yellowed, or toned down.
Increased glare and light sensitivity: Light may scatter more, causing discomfort or difficulty seeing in bright light or direct sunlight.
Difficulty seeing at night: Cataracts often cause night vision to deteriorate or make it hard to drive after dark. Halos may be seen around headlights or streetlights.
Double vision in one eye (monocular diplopia): This can occur as the lens’s irregularities bend incoming light in unpredictable directions.
Frequent prescription changes: The refractive power of the eye may change, sometimes resulting in unexpected improvements or worsening of nearsightedness or farsightedness. Glasses or contact lens prescriptions may need adjustment more often than usual.

Visual Examples: What a Person with Cataract Sees

To illustrate, common visual descriptions from people with cataracts include:

Vision appears as if seen through foggy glass.
Objects lack contrast; shapes and colors blend into the background.
Bright lights cause discomfort or halos, especially at night.
Text or objects look blurry, even with corrective lenses.

What Does a Cataract Look Like in Photos?

Many online images use simulation overlays to depict how cataracts affect vision:

Clouded effect: Creates an overall haze that reduces sharpness and clarity in the image.
Yellow or brown tint: Gives the entire scene an unnatural sepia or yellowish cast.
Light glare and halos: Bright areas in photos may appear ‘blown out’ or radiate rings.
Reduced contrast: Details fade, making it difficult to distinguish between similar shades or to read small print.

It’s important to note that while these simulations help explain cataract effects, each person’s experience may vary depending on cataract type and progression.

Types of Cataracts

Cataracts can develop in different parts of the lens and at different rates. The main types include:

Type of Cataract	Description	Common Visual Symptoms
Nuclear cataract	Forms in the center (nucleus) of the lens; most common, linked primarily to aging.	Gradual yellowing/clouding; distance vision impaired; may have temporary nearsightedness improvement.
Cortical cataract	Starts as white, wedge-like opacities at the lens edge (cortex), progresses toward center.	Glare, light scatter, contrast issues, and blurry vision, especially in bright light or with night driving.
Posterior subcapsular cataract	Forms at the back of the lens capsule; tends to progress rapidly, seen more in younger patients and people with diabetes or on steroids.	Decreased reading vision, sensitivity to bright light, glare or halos, rapid onset of symptoms.
Congenital cataract	Present at birth or develops in childhood due to genetics, maternal infection, or metabolic diseases.	May cause significant visual impairment or amblyopia in children.
Secondary cataract	Develops after eye surgery (such as for glaucoma), due to injury, or from diseases (like diabetes) or medications (long-term steroid use).	Variable symptoms depending on cause and area affected.

What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataracts typically develop slowly and without pain. Early signs may not severely disrupt daily activities, but become more pronounced as the cataract matures. Symptoms can differ depending on the location and type:

Cloudy, blurry, or foggy vision
Light sensitivity—discomfort or glare in bright sunlight or from headlights
Haloes around lights, especially at night
Difficulty with night vision
Colors appear faded, less intense, or yellowed
Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
Double vision in one eye
Trouble distinguishing contrast, for example, steps or curbs

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, it’s important to book a comprehensive eye exam with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

What Causes Cataracts?

The formation of cataracts is linked mainly to aging, but multiple factors can contribute to their development:

Age-related changes: The most common cause; lens proteins break down over time, leading to cloudiness.
Genetics: Family history of cataracts increases risk.
Medical conditions: Diabetes is a major risk factor.
Eye injuries: Trauma can damage the lens and initiate cataract formation.
Eye surgery or inflammation: Previous surgery (e.g., for glaucoma), or chronic eye inflammation (uveitis) increases the risk.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Sunlight accelerates lens aging.
Long-term use of corticosteroids or other medications: These can alter lens metabolism.
Smoking and alcohol use: Linked to faster cataract progression.
Malnutrition: Particularly lack of antioxidants.
Prenatal infections: Such as rubella or measles during pregnancy can lead to congenital cataracts in babies.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Cataracts become more common with age, particularly after age 60. More than half of people over age 80 have either cataracts or have undergone cataract surgery. However, certain groups are at elevated risk:

People with a family history of cataracts
Individuals with diabetes or certain metabolic diseases
Those with a history of eye injuries, surgeries, or ongoing inflammation
Long-term corticosteroid users
People with excessive UV exposure, especially without eye protection
Smokers and those with high alcohol intake
People living in regions with poor nutrition or limited healthcare access
Infants born to mothers with infections during pregnancy

When Should You See an Eye Doctor?

Early detection of cataracts is vital to maintaining good vision and overall ocular health. Schedule an appointment with an eye care professional if you observe one or more of the following:

Noticeable vision changes, such as persistent blurriness or cloudiness
Difficulty seeing in low light or increased glare sensitivity
Colors seem faded or yellowed
Trouble reading, driving, or performing daily tasks despite updated glasses or contacts
Any sudden change in vision (note: this could signal a more serious emergency and warrants prompt care)

Adults age 60 and above should have comprehensive eye exams at least annually, even if there are no apparent symptoms.

How Are Cataracts Diagnosed?

An eye care professional uses a combination of advanced techniques to diagnose cataracts, including:

Slit-lamp examination: A microscope that allows close examination of the lens, cornea, and other eye structures
Visual acuity test: Measures sharpness of vision and ability to see detail with each eye
Retinal exam: After dilating the pupil, the doctor inspects the retina and the back of the eye for other potential causes of vision loss
Tonometry: Measures intraocular pressure to rule out glaucoma, which can co-exist with cataracts in older adults

What Are the Treatment Options?

Cataracts cannot be reversed or treated with medications. Mild cataracts may be managed in early stages with prescription lenses and lifestyle adjustments, but surgery is the only effective and permanent treatment for meaningful vision impairment from cataracts.

Lifestyle and Non-Surgical Management

Stronger prescription glasses or better lighting for reading and detail work
Wearing sunglasses that block UVB and UVA rays outdoors
Limiting night driving if halos or glare are severe
Managing underlying health conditions, such as diabetes
Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol use

Cataract Surgery

Outpatient procedure: The clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
Highly safe and effective: One of the most commonly performed surgeries globally, with rapid recovery and success rates above 95% in restoring functional vision.
Considered when: Cataracts interfere significantly with daily activities, such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces. In certain medical or occupational situations, earlier intervention may be necessary.

Surgery is generally recommended based on quality-of-life impairment, not just the appearance of the lens.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can a cataract be prevented?

A: While age-related cataracts cannot always be prevented, measures like wearing sunglasses that block UV rays, avoiding smoking, maintaining good nutrition, controlling diabetes, and minimizing steroid use may slow their development.

Q: Is a white pupil always a cataract?

A: Not always. While a mature cataract may cause the pupil to look white or grayish, other serious conditions such as eye tumors (retinoblastoma) can also cause a white pupil. Prompt evaluation by an eye care professional is needed.

Q: Can cataracts spread from one eye to the other?

A: No, cataracts are not contagious. However, it’s common to develop cataracts in both eyes with time.

Q: Are there alternative treatments to surgery?

A: No medications, supplements, or eye drops have been shown to reverse or cure cataracts. Surgery is currently the only definitive treatment.

Q: Is cataract surgery painful?

A: The procedure is generally painless. Most patients receive local anesthesia and may feel only mild pressure or discomfort during surgery. Recovery is usually quick.

Key Takeaways

Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens and are a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
Most cataracts develop slowly and initially cause minimal symptoms—early detection is important for timely management.
Symptoms include blurry or foggy vision, color fading, glare, halos, and difficulties with night vision.
Surgery is the only way to effectively restore vision affected by cataracts.

If you suspect a cataract or notice visual changes, schedule an eye exam promptly to protect your sight and overall well-being.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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