What is cataract?

• A. Lens becomes opaque causing blurred vision
• B. A disease of the retina
• C. An infection of the cornea
• D. Degeneration of the optic nerve

Answer: (D)

Cataract is a condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque, which blocks or scatters light and leads to blurred vision. The lens sits behind the pupil and helps focus light onto the retina, so when it clouds, clarity drops, glare and halos around lights can appear, and colors may seem faded. This change is located in the lens itself, not in the retina, cornea, or optic nerve. Other eye problems involve different parts of the eye: retina issues affect the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, corneal infections affect the clear front window, and optic nerve degeneration impacts the nerve that sends visual signals to the brain. Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with an artificial lens to restore clear vision.