The medical term for clouding of the lens leading to vision loss is

• A. Cataract
• B. Glaucoma
• C. Astigmatism
• D. Myopia

Answer: (A)

Clouding of the eye’s lens leading to vision loss is called a cataract. The lens is normally clear and helps focus light onto the retina. When proteins in the lens clump together, the lens becomes opaque, causing light to scatter and vision to become blurry or dim. Cataracts are most common with aging, but other factors like diabetes, smoking, and long-term sun exposure can contribute. Typical signs include blurred vision, glare or halos around lights, and colors that seem faded. The standard treatment is surgical removal of the cloudy lens, often replaced with an artificial lens, which can restore much of the lost vision.

In contrast, glaucoma is due to high eye pressure that damages the optic nerve, not clouding of the lens; astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea leading to blurry vision; myopia is nearsightedness from the eye’s focusing point being in front of the retina. For a CNA, recognizing cataracts helps you support safety and independence, ensure proper lighting, assist with activities as vision changes, and be prepared to help with postoperative care and follow-up as directed by the medical team.