What is a primary characteristic of a cataract?

A primary characteristic of a cataract is the clouding of the eye lens. This condition occurs when the proteins in the lens of the eye begin to clump together, resulting in a cloudy or opaque lens that can interfere with vision. This clouding can lead to various visual symptoms, including blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to glare.

While other conditions may increase eye pressure or lead to loss of peripheral vision, these are not characteristics of cataracts. The defining feature of cataracts is specifically that clouding of the lens, which directly impacts how light enters the eye and affects overall visual clarity. Additionally, increased sensitivity to light can occur as a symptom but is not the defining trait of cataracts. Understanding that cataracts mainly involve the lens's cloudiness helps clarify how this condition manifests in individuals experiencing visual difficulties.