Snapshot A 79-year-old man complains of gradual vision loss. He describes his vision as if he is looking through a "dirty window." On physical exam, there is no red reflex. Introduction Opacifications of the lens resulting in slow and progressive loss of visual acuity Risk factors age found in 50% of people over age 75 smoking glucocorticoid use UV exposure trauma DM Wilson's disease Down syndrome When cataracts seen in neonates it is most commonly caused by TORCH infections or diseases of metabolism (galactosemia, Hurler's disease) Presentation Symptoms painless, progressive, and slow vision loss Physical exam absent red reflex Differential Diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, insult to optic centers of the brain Treatment Surgical Prognosis, Prevention, and Complications Surgical treatment is very effective in treating this condition