Why does my vision seem cloudy, and why does my prescription keep changing?

Our eye functions much like a camera. The natural lens focuses images onto the back of the eye so we can see clearly, much like the lens of a camera focusing images onto film for a clear picture. At birth, our natural lens is clear, but as we age it yellows and hardens. In addition, the lens may become cloudy. This condition is called a cataract, and is usually a result of the natural aging process.

Everyone over the age of 60 will at some point develop cataracts. As the lens becomes cloudier, vision becomes more blurred. Symptoms that could indicate the presence of a cataract include a gradual dulling of colors, halos around lights or glare when driving, difficulty reading in low light, blurred or double vision, and a frequent need to change your glasses prescription. A cataract can progress until eventually there is a complete loss of vision in your eye. Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. You should consider surgery when cataracts cause enough loss of vision to interfere with your daily activities.