Cataracts

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss, especially for people over age 60. The condition causes your eye lens to become cloudy, which makes your vision blurry or dim. Developing cataracts is a normal part of aging. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery – the only treatment for the condition. Eye drops, exercise or glasses will not make the cataract disappear once it has formed.

In addition to aging, cataracts may be caused by other eye diseases or previous eye surgery; certain chronic conditions such as diabetes; excessive use of certain medications, such as steroids; or eye injury. Cataracts may also occur in children or infants and can be removed safely, restoring good vision.

Our Approach to Cataracts

UCSF is home to the largest eye surgery program in Northern California, and our ophthalmologists are experts in the surgical removal of cataracts to restore vision. While removing cataracts, they can also perform advanced procedures to correct other vision issues, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism.