Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide and occur when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. There are three main types of cataracts: subcapsular, nuclear, and cortical, each affecting a different part of the lens. Cataracts are most commonly caused by aging but can also be due to diabetes, smoking, sun exposure, eye trauma, or radiation exposure. Symptoms include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and frequent changes in prescription glasses or contacts. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an artificial lens to improve vision.