Insight into Cataract Eyes in Focus Insight into Cataract When people have been told that they have a cataract, often their reaction might be that of concern and fear about complete loss of sight. This is a normal reaction and is often based on a lack of understanding about what cataract actually is and what can be done to correct the condition. We hope that these pages can answer questions about cataract and how it is treated. This is page 1 of 3 about Cataract. When a cataract develops it is a clouding or opacity of the lens which is inside the eye.
People often describe cataract as 'looking through a chiffon scarf'.
In order to understand what a cataract is, it is useful to learn a little about how the eye works. In the normal eye the lens is clear or transparent. When cataract develops the lens becomes cloudy and prevents the light rays passing into the retina. The picture that the retina receives becomes dull and fuzzy. Cataract usually forms slowly and people experience a gradual blurring of vision.