CATARACTS

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults. Now, the 650,000 Southern Californians who suffer from cataracts have access to the first significant treatment advance in more than a decade.

A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens that interferes with light passing through to the retina. Sufferers usually describe the condition as being similar to looking through a waterfall, or a piece of wax paper, with a gradual blurring or dimming of vision.

Currently there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, there is only one way to achieve clear vision again, and that is to physically remove the cataract from the eye.

	Normal Eye The clear lens focuses light on the retina.
	Cataract Eye The cataract interferes with light before it reaches the retina.
	After Surgery An IOL replaces the eye's natural lens after cataract removal.