June is Cataract Awareness Month: What You Need to Know in 2025 to Protect Your Vision
At ESP Eyewear, we believe that protecting your vision starts with education and access. In this guide, we’ll break down the early signs of cataracts, how they’re treated, and what you can do today to preserve your sight for tomorrow.
Prevent Blindness, the nation’s oldest eye health and safety non-profit organization, has declared June as Cataract Awareness Month to educate the public on symptoms, types of cataract, cataract surgery and more. Cataract is the world's leading cause of blindness, accounting for approximately 42 percent of all cases of blindness in all nations. In the U.S., more than 25 million Americans are estimated to have cataract, according to the report “Future of Vision: Forecasting the Prevalence and Costs of Vision Problems,” by the non-partisan and objective research organization NORC at the University of Chicago.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of your eye becomes cloudy, causing blurred or dimmed vision. Think of it as looking through a foggy window—colors fade, lights glare, and your ability to see clearly diminishes over time.
Most cataracts develop slowly, making regular eye exams critical for early detection.
Common Symptoms of Cataracts
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it may be time to schedule an eye exam:
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Blurry or foggy vision
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Sensitivity to light or glare
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Poor night vision
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Faded or yellowed colors
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Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription
Who’s at Risk in 2025?
While cataracts are most common in adults over 60, younger adults and even children can develop them due to genetics, injury, medication use, or medical conditions like diabetes.
Cataracts in Children
Although most cataract cases in the U.S. are in older adults, children may also develop pediatric cataracts. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts in a child can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (develop after birth). Without treatment, cataracts in young children can cause poor development of the visual pathway between the brain and the eye, leading to vision impairment. Therefore, diagnosing and treating cataracts early in children is critical to promoting normal vision development.
Pediatric cataracts, whether present at birth (congenital) or acquired later—can interfere with visual development and should be treated as early as possible.
Treatment Options: Cataract Surgery Is Safer Than Ever
The great news? Cataract surgery is one of the most successful and commonly performed procedures in the U.S. It’s typically outpatient, takes less than 30 minutes, and recovery is fast—most people are back to daily activities within a few days.
In 2025, advances in lens technology mean you may even be able to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses after surgery, depending on your unique needs.
“Although cataract is the world’s leading cause of vision loss, it is an eye disease that can be treated successfully with access to quality eyecare services,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We strongly encourage everyone to educate themselves on cataract and what services are available to see clearly today and in the years to come.”
For free information on cataract, call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020 or visit the Prevent Blindness website at http://preventblindness.org/cataract/. For a listing of vision care financial assistance programs in English or Spanish, visit https://preventblindness.org/vision-care-financial-assistance-information/.
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