What is the condition called when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy?

The condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy is known as a cataract. This clouding can lead to blurred vision and can interfere with daily activities. Cataracts are commonly associated with aging, but they can also develop as a result of other factors, including trauma, certain medical conditions (such as diabetes), and prolonged use of corticosteroids.

In a healthy eye, the lens is clear and allows light to pass through without obstruction, focusing it onto the retina for clear vision. When cataracts form, they scatter light and prevent clear images from reaching the retina, leading to symptoms like vision loss and difficulty with glare.

Understanding cataracts is crucial, as they are a prevalent cause of blindness worldwide, and timely diagnosis and treatment, often involving surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial one, can significantly improve visual outcomes.