Have you ever wondered what a mature cataract looks like? What is a mature cataract, anyway?

First let’s start with what a cataract is. According to the National Eye Institute:

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

A clear part of the human eye that assists in focussing images, the lens is the part of the eye that helps to focus light onto the retina. Your retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye.

Through your lens, once light reaches the retina it is translated as nerve signals to the brain. But for light to reach the retina effectively, the lens must be clear. If the lens is blurred, via a cataract, for example, the image transmitted to your brain will appear as blurry. Cataracts only get worse if not replaced with an intraocular lens.

Now, what is a mature cataract? According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology:

Mature cataracts are lenses so opaque that visualization of the posterior lens capsule is prevented. Types of mature cataracts include dense nuclear sclerotic cataracts (brunescent) and softer white cataracts.

In Western countries, cataract surgery is standard when necessary. This means that cataracts are removed far in advance of becoming mature cataracts. However, in developing countries where all-too-many people do not have access or the means to get a cataract removal surgery, the lens becomes thicker and thicker until vision disappears altogether.

This is where Dr. Haines, his team and the Give Me Sight Foundation come in to help. Through the generous help of our community, we have been able to help literally thousands of people around the world rediscover the precious gift of sight!

Now, how about a a quick video which shows, up close and personal, what mature cataracts look like! You can imagine how these obstructions in the eye cause blindness!

As you can see from the above video, this is a mature cataract that had caused the person having it removed to suffer blindness. But with one simple procedure, the patient can see again, almost immediately!

But our work is far from over. If you would like to donate to our cause, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today!