Which condition is characterized by clouding of the lens of the eye?

Cataracts are characterized by the clouding of the lens of the eye, which leads to a decrease in vision. As the lens becomes progressively more opaque, it interferes with the passage of light, resulting in symptoms such as blurry or hazy vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to glare.

The condition of glaucoma, on the other hand, primarily involves damage to the optic nerve often associated with increased intraocular pressure, which affects peripheral vision rather than focusing clarity. Retinal detachment pertains to the separation of the retina from its supporting tissue, leading to vision disturbances that do not involve lens opacity. Macular degeneration affects the central part of the retina (the macula), leading to a loss of central vision but does not result in the clouding of the lens itself. Therefore, cataracts are uniquely identified by the lens's cloudiness, distinguishing it clearly from the other listed conditions.