“Lately, reading the newspaper has become difficult.”
“Headlights from oncoming cars at night feel uncomfortably bright.”
“My vision looks hazy and blurred.”

If you are experiencing these symptoms, they may be caused by cataract, a condition that many people develop as they age.
Cataracts are one of the most common eye conditions in Japan, and most people are likely to experience them at some point in their lifetime.
In this article, we will explain the basics of cataracts in a clear, easy-to-understand way.

【What is Cataract? 】
Inside the eye, there is a clear, natural lens known as the crystalline lens.
It functions much like a camera lens, focusing light directly onto the retina.
However, with aging, this clear lens gradually becomes cloudy and opaque.
This condition is known as cataract.
Just as a camera with a foggy lens cannot take crisp photographs, cloudy crystalline lens leads to reduced vision quality.

【Key Symptoms of Cataracts】
Common symptoms associated with cataracts include:

• – Hazy, blurry, or foggy vision
• – Dim or faded visual quality
• – Sensitivity to light and increased glare
• – Difficulty driving at night
• – Double vision in a single eye
• – Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription that still don’t improve vision

Because symptoms usually progress very slowly, many people simply attribute them to “getting older” without realizing a cataract is developing.

【Causes of Cataracts】
Aging is the most common cause.
Over time, the proteins within the natural lens undergo changes, causing it to lose its transparency bit by bit.
Other risk factors that can cause or accelerate cataract include:

• – Diabetes
• – Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light
• – Smoking
• – Prolonged use of steroid medications
• – Eye trauma or injury

【Can Cataracts Be Cured? 】
Currently, there are no eye drops that can restore a cloudy natural lens back to its clear state. While prescription eye drops may be used in the early stages to slow down progression, surgery is the only definitive treatment when diminished vision begins to affect your daily life.

【What is Cataract Surgery? 】
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
This procedure is widely performed in Japan and is typically completed safely under local anesthesia (eye drops).
There are various types of intraocular lenses available, and the choice depends on the patient’s eye condition and personal lifestyle.

【How Does Cataract Surgery Differ from ICL? 】
Cataract surgery and ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) serve fundamentally different purposes:

• – ICL :

Leaves your natural, transparent lens intact and inserts a microscopic lens in front of it to correct myopia or astigmatism.

• – Cataract Surgery

Removes the diseased, cloudy natural lens entirely and replaces it with a new intraocular lens.
While both utilize lenses placed inside the eye, ICL is a refractive procedure to correct vision, whereas cataract surgery is a medical treatment for a diseased lens.

【When to Consult an Eye Specialist】
If you notice symptoms like
‘Hazy vision ‘
‘Increased sensitivity to light’
‘Glasses that no longer seem to work’
it could indicate cataracts or another underlying eye condition.
Getting an early evaluation at an eye clinic ensures appropriate and timely treatment.
If you feel any discomfort with your vision, we strongly encourage you to consult an ophthalmologist.