We see through the process of light being transmitted through the eye to the retina, which converts...
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We see through the process of light being transmitted through the eye to the retina, which converts light into electrical impulses that are sent to the brain. The lens of the eye focuses light on the retina. It is normally clear. A cataract is a clouding of the lens. It may be only slight or opaque, so no light passes through. Some cataracts develop as part of the aging process. Proteins that are normally in a precise formation become clumped, creating clouded areas that can grow over time. A so-called senile cataract often begins as discoloration of the lens that grows until the lens is opaque. The lens first swells and then shrinks, with complete loss of transparency. A cataract that forms in the center of the lens can temporarily improve near-sightedness but this disappears as the cataract worsens. As cataracts progress, they can cause blurred or cloudy vision. Colors can become less bright or yellowed. It can be harder to see at night. And light can seem glaring or there may be a halo around lights. Steps to improve vision for early cataracts include new glasses, brighter lighting, antiglare sunglasses and magnifying lenses. If vision loss interferes with daily activities, surgery may be recommended. It is the only effective treatment for cataracts. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens, which becomes part of your eye.
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