What condition involves the clouding of the lens of the eye?

Cataracts are characterized by the clouding of the lens of the eye, which can lead to blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to light. This condition occurs when the proteins in the lens begin to break down and clump together, forming cloudy areas that interfere with the passage of light through the lens. As cataracts progress, they can significantly impair vision and affect daily activities.

In contrast, glaucoma primarily involves increased intraocular pressure leading to damage of the optic nerve. Retinal detachment is a serious condition where the retina pulls away from its underlying support tissue, resulting in vision loss. Macular degeneration affects the central part of the retina (the macula) and leads to a loss of central vision but does not involve clouding of the lens. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why cataracts are specifically associated with clouding of the lens.