What is the definition of cataracts as explained to a patient?

Cataracts are defined as the clouding of the eye lens, which can significantly affect a person's vision. The lens, located behind the iris and pupil, is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. When cataracts form, they cause the lens to become opaque, leading to blurred or distorted vision. This condition is commonly associated with aging, as proteins in the lens begin to clump together and create cloudy areas, hindering the passage of light.

Understanding this definition is crucial for patients, as it highlights the symptoms they might experience, such as difficulty seeing at night, problems with glare from lights, and fading colors. It's important for patients to recognize that cataracts can often be treated effectively through surgical intervention, where the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens, usually restoring vision.

Other options present conditions or symptoms that are not related to cataracts, which reinforces the importance of recognizing specific definitions in eye health for accurate understanding and communication about vision problems.