Can Cataracts Cause Blindness? 

The short answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. But, thankfully, there’s a simple procedure that can be done to remove them and restore clear vision.

Known simply as a “cataract operation”, it’s the most common surgery across the globe, with millions performed each year.

Cataracts, Surgery, and How to Prevent Blindness

• Can cataracts cause blindness and other FAQs?
• How cataract surgery restores vision

Can cataracts cause blindness and other FAQs?

• Can cataracts cause blindness? Cataracts are caused by proteins within the eye clumping together on the lens capsule. While it takes many years—decades, even—for this to happen, it results in a barrier through which light can’t travel correctly. The more the proteins build, the less the light can get through. Eventually, this blockade will stop any light from progressing through the eye at all. Once at this stage, vision is lost.
• Do cataracts only happen in old age? While age-related cataracts only affect us in our later years, some other types can occur when younger. Pediatric cataracts—also known as genetic cataracts—are present from birth. This is a rare condition that requires specialist intervention. Other cataracts can form after injury to the eye. These are treated in the same way as age-related cataracts—by removing the diseased lens and replacing it with an artificial one.
• Does everyone get cataracts? The condition is a natural result of aging. It's believed that by the age of around 80 years, virtually everyone will either have cataracts or have had  an operation to remove them.
• Is cataract surgery safe? Yes, it absolutely is. The process has been honed over many decades into the technologically advanced procedure that we know today. While it is, of course, still an invasive procedure with an element of risk, more than 99% of cataract surgeries are performed with no issues. In the 1% that do experience problems, these are usually transient and either improve on their own or with additional surgical intervention.
• Can cataracts come back? In a word no. Once removed, the cataract can’t return. There is a condition called Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) that’s sometimes mistakenly called a “secondary cataract”. While it has similar symptoms to a cataract, it’s not the new formation of one. It happens when proteins begin to clump on the small part of the lens capsule that’s left within the eye for the surgeon to attach the artificial lens to. PCO is easily treated with a single, 5-minute procedure known as YAG laser.

How cataract surgery restores vision

A cataract prevents the smooth passage of light through the eye. Instead of traveling directly through the lens, onto the retina, and being transferred to the brain, the light can’t shine through the cataract. Therefore, the message can’t be sent to the brain as it should, and your vision reduces as the cataract evolves.

During cataract surgery, the diseased lens is removed and replaced by a crystal-clear artificial one. This is called an intraocular lens (IOL). Because it’s clear, the light can, once again, progress unimpeded through the eye to the retina. From here, the messages are transmitted via optic nerve to the brain as they should be, where they’re translated into the images we see. Thus, vision is restored—albeit with a few weeks of the brain re-learning how to interpret the light signals once again.

Don’t Let Cataracts Destroy Your Vision. Call the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic Today

Now that you know the answer to “Can cataracts cause blindness?” is yes, you’re going to want to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you. The Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic is part of the world-leading West Boca Eye Center—a facility that’s known across the globe for its advanced level of care.

Discover more about why so many people rely on our care for their best possible eyesight at 

https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com