Cataract is an eye condition characterized by a gradual clouding and hardening of the eye's lens, typically starting around the age of 55-60. This condition leads to various symptoms affecting vision quality.

Common symptoms of cataracts include:
* Blurry or hazy vision
* Increased sensitivity to light and seeing halos or streaks around light sources
* Decreased distance and near vision
* Difficulty seeing at night
* Perceiving colors as faded, yellowish, or different
* Frequent and significant changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
* Eye strain and headaches
* Loss of depth perception
* Improved near vision without glasses ("second sight")
* Difficulty driving
* Increased need for light for close-up tasks like reading
* Glare

These symptoms arise from the lens losing its transparency, preventing light from reaching the retina clearly. Blurry vision, in particular, creates a sensation similar to looking through a cloudy window and affects clarity at both distant and near ranges. Light sensitivity and seeing halos or streaks around lights are also frequently reported complaints.