A cataract is called a cataract because, before the 1700s, it was thought to be caused by opaque liquid flowing into the eye. The name originates from the Latin word "cataracta," meaning waterfall.
Etymology of Cataract
The term "cataract" has an interesting history that links it to the perception of the condition in earlier times.
- Latin Origin: The root of the word is the Latin term "cataracta," which translates to "waterfall."
- Historical Belief: People once believed cataracts were formed by a build-up of opaque, waterfall-like fluid within the eye's lens. This opaque fluid obstructed vision, similar to how a waterfall obscures what's behind it.
- Visual Resemblance: A dense, mature cataract can sometimes appear white or opaque, possibly reminding observers of a cascading waterfall.
How Cataracts Affect Vision
Cataracts cloud the normally clear lens of your eye, leading to blurry or distorted vision.
Modern Understanding
Today, we know that cataracts are not caused by fluid accumulation, but by changes in the proteins that make up the eye's lens. These changes cause the lens to become cloudy over time.
