One of the most common causes of visual impairment as we get
older is cataracts. Less than five percent of persons younger
than age 65 will have cataracts. In contrast, 50 percent of
individuals over age 75 will be diagnosed with this eye problem.
The eyeball was designed to allow reflected light from our
surroundings to pass into our nervous system and brain. Our
brain then interprets the light so that we can “see.” In order
for this to happen, certain structures of the eye need to be
transparent, allowing light to pass through uninterrupted to the
retina. One of these important structures is the lens of the
eye. If you look at an eyeball, the first layer that light
contacts is the cornea. The cornea is very thin and is entirely
transparent. It allows light rays to enter the eyeball and pass
through the front chamber of the eye. Light then proceeds
through the pupil and reaches the lens. The lens is another
transparent structure that allows light to pass through it.
However, it has an important and specializ