A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens in our eye. It is like looking through a dirty or foggy windshield. Symptoms include blurry vision, difficulty driving at night, glare, and poor color vision. Aging is the most common cause of cataracts. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, smoking, long-term use of steroids, and exposure to UV light can increase your risk of developing cataracts sooner. Your eye care professional checks for cataracts as part of your routine eye exam. Symptoms of early cataracts can be improved with new glasses, brighter lighting, or anti-reflective lenses. A cataract needs to be removed only when it interferes with daily activities, such as reading, driving, or watching tv. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. Dr. Jeff Sinclair and Dr. James Caudill are board certified ophthalmologists providing the latest advances in cataract surgery at WVEC. You can learn more about the development of cataracts by visiting our website at: Cataract Awareness