One of the most prominent signs of aging that can happen in some people is that their vision may become blurry or cloudy. Based on the doctor’s diagnosis, this could be cataracts. Patients who have developed cataracts will have difficulty while read, drive, or see things, and objects may look cloudy. Although the pace of cataract development is slow, it can significantly interfere with vision if it is not treated. Furthermore, at the early stages, eyeglasses in some patients can help to reduce the debilitating symptoms with impaired vision. However, this solution can be temporary, and the safest choice of treatment would be cataract surgery.

In the beginning, patients may not realize that they have a cataract, because it only affects a small part of the lens. But, at time passes, the cataract grows larger to the point that it covers the whole lens and disturbs the passage of the light into the lens. Blow some of the common cataract symptoms will be explained:

• Blurry or cloudy vision. 
• Night blindness: Having difficulty with seeing objects at night. 
• Glare Sensitivity: Loss of vision when patients are encountered with bright light. 
• Gradual decreases of vision: Reading or doing actives require more light for a clear vision. 
• The appearance of a halo around objects.
• Colors tend to look yellow or fading.
• Double vision: Usually patients may have a double vision in one eye.

Mostly, aging or damage to the tissue, which forms the lens is the main cause of developing the cataract. However, genetic disorder, eye condition followed by surgery, or the excessive use of steroids can lead to cataract. Below some of the common types of cataract will be provided:

• Nuclear cataracts: The condition develops at the center of the eye, and the lens will turn yellow, which creates a disturbance in the vision. Also, it can happen in both eyes or only in one, and it mostly affects the distant view. In severe cases, patients with nuclear cataracts will have difficulty distinguishing colors.
• Cortical cataracts: The interference with vision beings on the exterior side of the lens and slowly moves inward. 
• Posterior subcapsular cataract: The disorder forms at the back of the lens by starting as a small opaque area. Patients that have posterior subcapsular cataract will face difficulty in reading and will have reduced vision in bright light. 
• Congenital cataracts: Patients may have cataracts from their birth, or the development takes place during childhood. 

The performance of cataract surgery, depending on each patient’s risk factors or condition may vary. However, the goal in all cataract surgery is the same; to remove the cloudy lens that has disturbed the vision. Some of the common cataract surgery will be indicated in the following:

• Small-incision surgery: Also known as phacoemulsification uses ultrasound waves to break up the cloudy lens.
• Large-incision surgery: Although this procedure is not common, it is suggested for patients with significant cataracts. The clouded lens will be removed in one piece and will be replaced with an artificial one. 
• Femtosecond laser surgery: Cataract surgeons will use a laser to disintegrate the cloudy lens. 

For a period, it is highly recommended that patients who had cataract surgery adjust their lifestyle, and follow the below instructions:

• If patients require additional help in reading, they should use a magnifying glass.
• The quality of light should be improved with brighter lights.
• Using sunglasses when going outside.
• Refrain from driving at night.

Without question, cataract surgery is one of the expensive operations in the field of ophthalmology. However, the procedure is exceptionally cost-effective and reasonable in Iran compared to many countries that provide the same quality medical services. When patients refer to one of the eye treatment centers in Iran, the first crucial step would be the eye emanation performed with dedicated professionalism by Iranian cataract surgeons. The inauguration of the Iranian Society of Ophthalmology has consolidated, for over a decade, all of the efforts and academic contributions for the sake of providing patients with the best opportunity to have the most desired treatment.