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Cataract

Cataract: what it is, and what to do

What a cataract is, the risks, why surgery is the only cure, and why home eye remedies are risky.

Pharmacist review pending55 verified passagesUpdated 2026-10-22

What a cataract is

A cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of the eye.1 More than half of Americans aged 80 or older have cataracts or have had surgery for them.2 Vision becomes cloudy, colors fade and night vision suffers.3 The same symptoms can come from other eye problems, so an eye doctor should check.15

How a cataract affects sight

A simplified illustration based on the National Eye Institute.

  1. Clear lens

    Focuses light at the back of the eye.1

  2. Cloudy area

    Proteins clump with age.12

  3. Blurred sight

    Faded colors, halos, poor night vision.3

  4. Surgery

    A new artificial lens.11

Risks and protection

Diabetes, smoking, a lot of sun and steroid medicines raise the risk.4 Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and quitting smoking help protect the eyes,5 and from age 60 a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years is advised.6 Glaucoma, a different eye disease, often has no early symptoms.14

What raises and lowers the risk

Raises the risk

  • Diabetes, smoking, steroid medicines.4
  • A lot of time in the sun.4

Helps protect

  • Sunglasses and a brimmed hat.5
  • Quitting smoking.5
From age 60, a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years.6

Treatment

Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract, but it may not be needed right away.7 Early on, brighter lights and new glasses help.8 Waiting usually does not harm the eyes.10 The operation replaces the cloudy lens, takes about an hour and is almost painless,11 and 9 in 10 people see better afterwards.9

From first signs to surgery

Based on the National Eye Institute.

  1. Early

    Brighter lights, anti-glare sunglasses.8

  2. New glasses

    A new prescription can help.8

  3. When life is affected

    Reading or driving gets hard.7

  4. Surgery

    About an hour, almost painless.11

The clinic's approach

The clinic's DMSO documents say eye problems including cataract and glaucoma have been treated with DMSO,20 and its research folder holds a printout of a 2019 review on plant remedies for cataract.21

The clinic's eye claims, and what the evidence shows

Two items from the clinic's documents, each with the clinic's words first, then independent evidence.

  1. DMSO in a saline solution for eye problems, including cataract and glaucoma

    Promoted in a clinic leafletEvidence points the other way
    Where the clinic says this
    DMSO booklet, page 6; Urdu DMSO sheet, item 22 (ProperHealth translation; instructions omitted).20
    The clinic's stated rationale
    The documents say eye problems, including cataract and glaucoma, have been treated with DMSO.20
    Evidence and limitations
    Surgery is the only way to get rid of a cataract.7 The approved DMSO medicine is a bladder solution only,17 and its own label reports clouding of the eye's lens in animals given high doses over time.16 Glaucoma without proper treatment can lead to blindness.14
    What this means for you
    Do not put DMSO, or anything not prescribed for the eye, into your eyes. Glaucoma needs an eye doctor's treatment.

  2. Medicinal plants for cataract, from a review printed into the clinic's research folder

    In the clinic's research folderNot proven
    Where the clinic says this
    Research-folder printout of a 2019 review.21
    The clinic's stated rationale
    None written; the clinic's documents do not say how the printout is used.21
    Evidence and limitations
    The review itself reports that most studies were in rats and that clinical trials in people are still lacking.18 It warns that most folk eye remedies are not validated and some may harm the eyes.19
    What this means for you
    Never put plant juices, sap or home drops into your eyes.
Nothing dissolves a cataract. Surgery is the only way to remove one,7 and the approved DMSO medicine's own label reports lens clouding in animals.16

What to do this week

  1. Book a dilated eye exam

    Every 1 to 2 years from age 60.6

  2. Make light work for you

    Brighter lamps, anti-glare glasses.8

  3. Protect your eyes

    Sunglasses, a hat and no smoking.5

  4. Decide on surgery calmly

    When daily life is affected.710

When to get help now

Each warning sign cites the official guidance behind it. The wording still needs pharmacist sign-off.

  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes — go to the emergency department.22
  • A painful red eye with halos, headache or vomiting — seek emergency care.23
  • Sudden flashes, many new floaters or a curtain over vision — go to your eye doctor or the emergency room right away.24
  • After cataract surgery: vision loss, strong pain or a very red eye — call your eye doctor right away.25
  • A chemical in the eye — rinse with plenty of clean water and get medical care right away. An object stuck in the eye — leave it in place, do not rub or press, and get care right away.26

Every numbered marker links to the exact passage it rests on. Check the sources.