What is a cataract?

WOW! The blog has had a great response.  Thank you everyone!  Whether you're reading it for information or you're just curious or you're relating, I hope it's meaningful. 

As I talk to more and more people, I realize that I have not really explained the technical aspect of what is going on.  I thought I should address that here.  A cataract is a cloud that forms on the lens of your eye.  They are very typical in older people, and everyone will develop them at some time in their lives (if we live that long!)  In the typical surgery for adults, the lens is removed and a permanent replacement is implanted.  The surgery is very routine - they don't even knock you out! - and you leave the hospital with much better vision.  It is possible to have cataracts and not even know.  They can be very tiny or in a part of your eye where the vision is not impaired.

The surgery in infants is a little bit different because their vision is still developing.  They do not want to implant the permanent lens yet because there is a strong chance it would need to be changed in the next few years.  Therefore, Jack's lens has been removed and the contact lenses and/or glasses serve as his vision until he is older.  When he's around 4 or 5 years old (or old enough to sit still so his eyes can be measured), he will have to undergo two more surgeries to get the permanent lenses put in.  After the permanent lenses are in, his vision should be corrected for good. 

Considering I do not wear glasses or contacts and was rather grossed out by eyes about 3 and a half weeks ago, I feel like I've learned more about eyes and vision than I ever cared to!