The proteins in the lens change, causing the white appearance that is noticeable when cataracts have progressed for some time. Cataracts may be on the edges of the lens for years without causing problems, but when they occur on or progress to the front of the lens, in line with your pupil, they cause the vision problems they are known for. Like a camera lens, your eye's lens uses the light passing through it to focus on objects and produce clear images. When the lens becomes clouded by cataracts, vision becomes blurred. Also, night vision is poor and colors often appear dull or distorted.
Many people become sensitive to bright light, especially reflected light, such as off water or snow.
Almost always, one eye is affected more severely than the other. You may have double vision in the affected eye. You won't go completely blind from cataracts, because some light always gets through. But vision gets more and more blurry as cataracts progress. To restore clear vision, yes.